OverEZ Coop -suggested mods?

[Callender Girl]

I had regular concrete blocks AND some big chunks of concrete from a friend's demolished sidewalk and I just laid them on the crossbars at the base of the legs. Not the smartest way, honest. And as near as I can tell, not originally being from this part of the state, north central Iowa is in a near-constant state of wind and tornados, punctuated by hail storms.

Outside dimensions of mine are 47 inches wide and 74 1/2 inches long. There is plenty of space for roosting (two roosts go the full length of the coop) but they WAY oversell how many chickens will be comfortable with the amount of floor space, even with the nest boxes mounted outside. I think I was stretching it when I had six hens housed in that coop.

The only way I could afford to buy the coop was because it was advertised on Craigslist for $800; talked the owners -- who had already built another coop and didn't need this one -- down to $600 by saying they didn't need to clean it; I'd do it myself (which I would have done anyway) AND, someone else paid half of the $600 as my birthday present.

Hope this helps!

 

[Ccort]

I had regular concrete blocks AND some big chunks of concrete from a friend's demolished sidewalk and I just laid them on the crossbars at the base of the legs. Not the smartest way, honest. And as near as I can tell, not originally being from this part of the state, north central Iowa is in a near-constant state of wind and tornados, punctuated by hail storms.

Outside dimensions of mine are 47 inches wide and 74 1/2 inches long. There is plenty of space for roosting (two roosts go the full length of the coop) but they WAY oversell how many chickens will be comfortable with the amount of floor space, even with the nest boxes mounted outside. I think I was stretching it when I had six hens housed in that coop.

The only way I could afford to buy the coop was because it was advertised on Craigslist for $800; talked the owners -- who had already built another coop and didn't need this one -- down to $600 by saying they didn't need to clean it; I'd do it myself (which I would have done anyway) AND, someone else paid half of the $600 as my birthday present.

Hope this helps!

It does help, thank you!

 

[Ccort]

I have the large Over EZ. I drilled six 2.5 inch holes above windows, between roof studs. I removed the plastic vent covers on the ends. Covered all of them with 1/4 inch hardware cloth.View attachment 1886836.View attachment 1886838.
I added a 2 x 3 in front of pop door (narrow side up) and nest boxes (wide side up) to keep shavings in. View attachment 1886841.
I blocked off 2 of 5 nests so I could put waterer and feed in front, and use those blocked nests for storage.View attachment 1886844.
I installed a light fixture and a 6 plug outlet inside over windows.View attachment 1886846.
And lights outside coop and 1 under nests to light up underneath.View attachment 1886847.
I left screen on windows and installed 1/2 inch hardware cloth outside.View attachment 1886856.
I put the coop on 8 inch cement blocks so chickens could go under coop.View attachment 1886859.
Finally I plugged the extension cord into a outdoor rated GFCI with a cover.View attachment 1886860. Click on pics to enlarge. GC

Have your 6 holes been enough ventilation? I have an OverEz coop as well.

 

[Ccort]

I bought this coop 3 years ago and there wasn't a single quality issue. I love it and would buy it again without a second thought. However, my 2 main complaints are: (1) Not enough ventilation, (2) Not enough room under the coop. I didn't want to mount it on cinderblocks cause I'm not that confident in my handyman skills. Anyways, I did install a number of pretty cools mods:

1. Automated ADOR door with battery charger and connection to a custom external button, LEDs and solar sensor for easy access. The ADOR's solar sensor is under a tarped hard run, which is quite dark and it would close too early.
2. Added a fan on each of the existing vents, and made holes with 2 more fans. The existing ventilation is grossly inadequate and would boil chickens in Texas heat. I will take a note from previous posters and add a dust filter, since we usually have to replace one fan per year due to dust and spider webs.
3. Cut open 2 large vents behind the top roost with flaps and latches - this is critical.
4. Added some reflective material on the outside with velcro strips for easy removal. This lowered the temperature quite a bit during summers.
5. Installed hardware cloth on top of the window for predator-proofing.
6. PTZ camera so we can check up on them and see who laid (we track all their eggs).
7. External waterproof outlets and network/power box for cameras and 12V fans.
8. Installed 4 brackets to support a poop board, makes for easy cleaning.
9. Painted the floor + 1 foot above with Blackjack 57 rubber sealant and topped with wood chips or hay. 3 years and still in great condition. In retrospect I would have also painted the entire wall behind the roosts... it can get quite poopy.

Mind elaborating on the reflective material portion? What did you use? Where all did you put it? (Roof)? How much has it helped?

 

[Samiler17]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. GC that is a great idea to drill holes in the soffit!

I decided to take the thing apart into the four sides and the base since it’s so easy (maybe 8-10 screws total?!) and got some ideas for a PVC feeder, moving the bottom roost above the current top one and putting down a second floor/poop board, etc. i think I am going to just replace the plywood floor with new wood since that would be easy and a good precaution since it was pretty dirty. I am thinking about painting the inside light blue and putting up white crown molding! But first I need to power wash, then let everything thoroughly dry so all that will probably have to wait until next weekend. I should have some updates tomorrow afternoon or evening. Keep the ideas coming!

I have seven hens (2 white leghorns, 2 EE, BR, NH Red, Welsummer). The entire feeder (except the 60 degree elbow) will be outside, as will the waterer system except for a watering cup (and 2 more will be in the run). They have a large run (my entire side yard which is about 25x6 feet).

So, I know I am running tight but frankly by doing these same things (effectively zero space wasted on feeder or water, powered ventilation) with my current smaller coop they have been happy and healthy. But as they are finishing growing it is definitely getting a little tight at roosting time, and this will give them a lot more room. I may also re home 1-2 birds to a friend that is working on building a coop, once they are all laying. Leghorns are 25 weeks and have been laying for almost two months. The others are 21 weeks and only one (NH Red) is squatting and close to laying.

With a 6 foot wide side yard (back yard is all pool) and a house in the city with expectations for a good looking coop, my options are limited so please no square footage shaming. Thanks again for all your help.

How’s it going? I have the same coop and sounds like similar side of house run set up! I have four hens and planning to get 3-4more this Spring.

 

[Fiddlestix36]

Please DO NOT ORDER from this company. To say im speechless, would be to understatement whereas, the severity is surreal. First, every single board was SPLIT (was not done in shipping, they actually intended to send it this way) add to this to 50% mis-cuts and even (many boards are warped). In order to use any portion or build, you'll not only need your own 2x4 & 2x2, you'll need to route or jig to get the measurements correct. I especially appreciate the Mud-Wasp nest we found inside the coop as we tried to build. We used our own deck & wood screws because the ones sent, were bent. Yes, nothing was right. The severity of the damages, shows they intended to defraud us. I tried to call. I sent photos and emails. I reached out to the finance company, who, btw is as bad or worse, as they appear to o post, trying to drive this company below a 2 rating. FINANCE COMPANY "Bread") They have conspired with this company to steal & defraud. We intend to sue in Federal Court, if necessary, as its multi-state and Diversity Jurisdiction applies. If you oreder from these people, you deserve what you get.

"If you order from these people, you deserve what you get"? Regardless of how you feel that is harsh and unnecessary. I for one am new to chicken keeping and fell prey initially to the cheaper prefab coop, which lasted less than a year before breaking. I did my best to research good coops, but operating on little first hand knowledge and no DIY build experience I didn't know what direction to go. I ended up getting an OverEZ, and it's a solid coop, but definitely not perfect. I plan on selling it down the line and going the shed-turned-coop route.
I never once saw what you are describing when I looked into OverEZ, so to say people"deserve what they get" from a company that likely tried to hide bad reviews is ridiculous, rude, and unnecessary in a forum like this. Want to help people stay away or be aware of this companies business practices? Refine your approach.