Please comment on a coop we're considering

[CoyoteMagic]

It will be fallng apart within a year. I've had 2 rabbit hutches made by the same people. Even painted they start to warp within a couple of months. They are small as well. Not much room for feeders waterers and roots.

 

[Sinfonian]

We're just north of Seattle and are planning on building two coops for 4-5 chickens each. One for my brother and one for me. I want mine to be light enough to be semi-mobile and yet strong enough to withstand our high-wind falls. My brother designed it. Can't wait to see yours!

 

[RainbowBirds_of_a_Feather]

Aloha and

,

I looked at that coop you are inquiring about. But it seems better fit to just purchase the materials and build your own. The cost of materials are often cheaper to purchase than a prebuilt coop. But here are other coops to look at in case you still want to purchase one:

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultrySites.html#Coops

You might find another one on the site above but you just have to take a gander and see. Just other possibilities, cause you might see others that are sizable for your liking to fit the amount of hens you stated. I do think that the coop you looked at is nice. However, I am unsure as the size of the birds you wish to keep. But when it comes down to it it is your choice.

Plus if you decide to purchase that particular cage, you can always upgrade to a different one later.

 

[Judy]

I don't know. It is awfully small for 3 large fowl but probably Ok for 3 bantams. Is it made of cedar? I hope you can check it out in person. It's probably OK for them to use the cedar IF you can't smell it, but if the cedar odor is evident, I wouldn't chance it. You can get away with a certain amount of cedar, but if they have to breathe obvious fumes they will likely get in trouble.

Building is almost always cheaper than buying -- makes sense, after all. If you just won't have the time, it might get you through a year til you can build your own. At least it would give you a much better idea of what you really want, and you may be able to modify rather than start from scratch.

I certainly wouldn't buy it if I couldn't see it in person first. It's hard to trust a price that low.

 

[Bammy]

Two years ago out of no where I decided I wanted chickens. I purchased this coop for $950.00 thinking this is perfect. Not too big, can be moved if I want and very well built with 2x3's, glasbord floor etc. Well I loved my hens and wanted more, hence less than a year later we built a 14 x 14 coop with insulated windows, door, the works. Today I am wondering where I am going to put my 15 new babies plus the eggs in the bator. My thought is plan ahead and get the biggest you can.

 

[Sootsie]

its a nice little coop for a couple of bantys but within a short period of time chicken math kicks in, its unavoidable they are addictive lol

personally i would buy/build a coop for min 6 hens that way you can add a few because you will want too.

 

[bacbacbac]

Thanks everyone. I was looking for an easy answer to the beginning of our story, but I like do things myself, so this is my motivation to put the coop back on the list to build.

It's obvious I have alot of reading to do. I'm glad to have you all, this community. I think from the comments about chicken math and all the love on here that I will very quickly find the love myself. It all started with a PBS special The Natural History of the Chicken....

As for chicken math, there is only one equation for us. We live in city limits with a three chicken limit. Now we have some good neighbors (already a chicken sitter!) but I will have to do some reading on what has gone on with folks who've kept more than the limit and been FOUND OUT. I'm all for breaking rules that beg to be broken and do no harm.

I'm looking for someone to come by our property and help me determine where to fence so we can have some free range time. We have an odd property (large lot with four buildings and a carport). I agree with the comments about going bigger, thanks for that.

Thanks to everyone who commented. I'll get to looking around at coops and you're sure to hear more from me soon!

 

[froggiesheins]

Just a suggestion for ya, my yard has a 5ft high cinder block wall around it and I used one wall for the wall of my run.

 

[easycookrecipes]

Sounds like a winner!

 

[gryeyes]

Well, if you're into building, do pick up the book "Building Chicken Coops for Dummies" found right here on BYC in the BYC Store! It has detailed instructions for four different types of coops.