Pre-fab coops - One or multiple

[jingles]

Hi all,

I have only been keeping chickens for about 4 months, and it has been a steep learning curve, but hopefully with the help of You guys at BYC I think I am getting there. I currently have 3 8ish month old girls (2 x Sussex & an Australorp) in a penthouse bought coop

http://www.backyardchickencoops.com...chickencoops.com.au/chook-pens/the-penthouse/

They have a large area fenced off with an electric mesh to wander during the day, so only use the coop to sleep & lay eggs.

The problem is that I want to get 4 more heavy breed birds from the same breeder I got these girls from. This gives me 2 problems -

a) should I still quarantine the birds even though they are from the same source just in case something has happened in the last few months to his flock.

b) will 7 heavy breeds birds fit in the coop to sleep when they are fully grown (I will probably only be able to get 4 month old birds so won't be an issue to start with).

If I quarantine I need another coop. I have 2 kids under 3 so there is no way I can construct anything which means I'd need to buy another coop. I don't really like wood, as I think the maintenance is going to be pretty hard, and this coop design is pretty tough to keep clean! So that leads me to the idea of a plastic one - the only one here in oz is the super expensive Eglu cube. It looks easy to clean, but again might be too small for my whole flock when fully grown. This would mean I would have to keep two coops on the go with a shared free range area, and let the chickens choose which one to roost in at night.

Any thoughts or suggestions on

1. current coop suitability for 7 heavy chickens
2. To quarantine even if from same breeder relatively recently
3. what coop to quarantine in if I do.
4. If I can keep 2 coops on the go afterwards or combine to one coop (if it is big enough).

If I had any free time I would love to build my own coop, but there is no way that is going to happen! I need easy clean an as little maintenance as possible. I don't mind spending a lot of cash for a coop if it saves precious hours in maintenance time (painting, cleaning etc), and reduces my girls issues with mites etc.

Thanks heaps in advance,

Julia

 

[jingles]

Here is my current set up. Run always open and automatic timer shuts them in the coop at night to keep warm

 

[TalkALittle]

My advice is to buy a bigger coop or small shed. One that fits all the birds and is easy for you to clean and maintain. Raise your new birds in it and when you're ready to integrate them, add your old birds to it. Then sell your little prefab to offset your expense.

Two coops means twice the waterers and feeders to fill, supplies in two places, gathering eggs from two spots, winterizing two coops. It's more work to manage poop in small coops (even with only a couple birds in each) than in one larger coop. Think about how good you feel when you finish cleaning your current coop out. Then replace that feeling with the thought that now you have to start all over with your second little coop. You already said the small coop you have doesn't suit you. A second small coop won't make things easier, even one made of plastic.

 

[jingles]

Thanks for that. I might have to suck it up and modify a shed as I don't think I could find a pre-made one big enough if we are working on 4ft square per chicken. If my maths is correct, for 10 girls (future proofing) that would require a 1.8 x 1.8m shed minimum (6x6). It that space really required even if the feed and water is out of the coop?

I guess I'd better start scouring the forums for how to modify a shed .

Cheers, Julia

 

[21hens-incharge]

My advice is to buy a bigger coop or small shed. One that fits all the birds and is easy for you to clean and maintain. Raise your new birds in it and when you're ready to integrate them, add your old birds to it. Then sell your little prefab to offset your expense.

Two coops means twice the waterers and feeders to fill, supplies in two places, gathering eggs from two spots, winterizing two coops. It's more work to manage poop in small coops (even with only a couple birds in each) than in one larger coop. Think about how good you feel when you finish cleaning your current coop out. Then replace that feeling with the thought that now you have to start all over with your second little coop. You already said the small coop you have doesn't suit you. A second small coop won't make things easier, even one made of plastic.

I agree.

Sometimes you can find cheap ones on Craigs list. Other times there is a year end clearance at the big stores like Home Depot or Lowes. It would be the floor models.