Pre-Assembled Coop

[mudpuddlebunny]

I saw this at tractor supply today and I was just wondering if a pre-assembled coop would be worth the investment for a beginner chicken mom? Thoughts? Ideas?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They are never worth the cost. Poorly constructed and won't house anywhere the number of chickens the manufacturer claims.
I see it says it will house 8 chickens. 4 would be tight.
If you have even rudimentary carpentry skills, you can build a bigger coop for less money.

 

[neo71665]

They are never worth the cost. Poorly constructed and won't house anywhere the number of chickens the manufacturer claims.

^that^

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I saw this at tractor supply today and I was just wondering if a pre-assembled coop would be worth the investment for a beginner chicken mom? Thoughts? Ideas?
View attachment 2267588

Unless you are 100% confident you never want to own more than two chickens, no. I don’t recommend it. They are relatively flimsy and very, very small for chickens. I’ve seen where people add a larger run into the prefab coops to help with space so if you wanted to have 3-4 birds that may be an option. If you are free to have as many chickens as you want though, they are addicting and it’s very easy to wind up with more than you intended. I got a coop big enough for 15 thinking I’d never want more than that. Now I have 18 and I’m on the clock for needing to build a coop!

 

[DaisyG2317]

I saw this at tractor supply today and I was just wondering if a pre-assembled coop would be worth the investment for a beginner chicken mom? Thoughts? Ideas?
View attachment 2267588

Don't do it! The amount of space is way too small and never can accommodate the amount the box claims. I made the mistake of getting one and it will not last probably more than a year at the most in PNW wet Fall and Winter. If you are in a drier area YMMV. The quality is pretty subpar and had to do alot of reinforcing to keep it predator proof. I have been using it as a grow out coop for my four 5 week old isa brown chicks, while waiting for their nice real coop to be built in 7 weeks if I could do it again I wouldn't buy it.

At least it is getting used and isn't a total waste of money

 

[SueT]

Most of those TSC coops are not very sturdy. Do you have any carpentry skills? We were able to build this 4'X4.5' sturdy coop for under $200 in about a week.

 

[TooCheep]

Sorry everyone is raining on your parade, but I'll have to agree with them. Pre-fab coops *always* lie about capacity. They use factory farm numbers for spacing where chickens live a very short and stressful life. Backyard chicken owners generally want to provide a much better life for their birds.

I bought a pre-fab coop that was supposed to be able to hold 6 chickens, but it is actually on the tight side for my three. I also had to do a lot of work to upgrade the frame and screens which have allowed it to hold together fairly well over the last three years.

Spend some time in the coop articles and you'll get some ideas on what you should have in a coop. Unfortunately, the easy answer isn't a quality one.

On the positive side, it is very good that you are asking for input. Hopefully, we can help you avoid the mistakes that many of us have made.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If not worried about the cost, a prefab coop can be useful as a quarantine coop or a broody coop but never for a full time housing for more than a couple birds.
For those that have bought them, keep them as backup housing for temporarily keeping birds safe.

 

[centrarchid]

I saw this at tractor supply today and I was just wondering if a pre-assembled coop would be worth the investment for a beginner chicken mom? Thoughts? Ideas?
View attachment 2267588

I have actually used the imported pieces of crap. I say go for it, although keep number of birds to less than half what they rate it for. It will last at least four years if you put it together properly. During that time decide how you want expand or change. You can create your build based on what like and do not like about the prefabricated coop.

The old crickety unit I have in the front yard is now used just for hens to incubate clutches of eggs and retreat to at night with chicks. It does make for a good roost with free-range birds.

 

[microchick]

My husband got me a pre-fab coop that I had picked out for a Christmas gift. It is 100% cedar and I do not use it for a primary chicken coop. I got one to use as a broody pen and grow out coop and it works very well for that. This is my third season of using it and it's holding up fine. It sits in my main run so it's protected by netting and hot wires. No way would I use it outside the safety of my coop/run.

This fall I will take it apart and store it for the winter and break it out again next year.

So my advice is to yes, get one but not as a primary coop unless you are prepared to add some safety features like hot wire and safety latches.