Prefab coops?

[Jrobinsonmtplus3]

Last i looked That is not cost effective option for us thought it would be a good one long term.

How bout converting an 8x8 shed?
You would have all the space you need and lots of places deliver finished ones.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The most cost effective is homemade from salvaged and upcycled items. That takes time though.

Maybe craigslist holds an unwanted shed that you can get?

 

[Jrobinsonmtplus3]

Good idea looking on cl....

I'm just so unsure of all the ways to make the coop habitable and comfortable for the girls with having to make adjustments to a shed... ventilation, and easy cleanig of flooring and nest box set up...
I'll look more tonight .
In the mean time are there better brands in the prefabs world?

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I've heard really good things about Carolina Coops, but they're wicked expensive. Or many farms in your area may sell pe-made coops... As others have said, the pre-fabbed ones you can get at your feed store or off amazon are made of really poor quality materials... I considered them until I realized I'd have to replace it within a year.

https://www.carolinacoops.com/

 

[Jrobinsonmtplus3]

Holy Moly that's not in our price range lol

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Holy Moly that's not in our price range lol

As I said, wicked expensive. Its way out of my range as well, which is why we're building one semi-from scratch. We have a half covered dog run we're building a coop inside of and then the rest will be a chicken run. I will have to add onto the run later.

 

[medictrina]

I am having a similar problem. I want to build a coop for my three girls but I'm overwhelmed and an added time constraint doesn't make me feel any better! Do I buy a cheap prefab one now and build one later? Do I just drop all my other responsibilities and throw one together on a weekend? So frustrating! There are lots of great ideas here, but there are too many! I need to get my girls out of their brooder soon.

 

[21hens-incharge]

OK so I did some looking. Nothing out there of any quality that is even half decent in price.

No way would I ever pay 300 bucks for a tiny coop made of cruddy materials.

A better investment may be to knuckle down and build a sturdy coop for similar price.

A sheet of plywood is 4x8 feet and runs 35 bucks on the high side. If one were to make a 4x8 coop raised 2 feet up they would need....
1 sheet of plywood for floor. $35
3 sheets of siding for exterior. $90
24 2x4 @8 feet long. $72
2 sheets roof decking (that leaves plenty for a big overhang). $50
2 4x4 @8 foot long for the legs. $40 max.
Tar paper and shingles. $100 max.


Hinges, screws and nails vary a lot more then lumber but should be less then 60 bucks.

So for under 500 dollars the coop can be built with nice size and sturdy as a human house.

The run is not listed since they can vary a ton too.

Maybe a pain in the bottom but certainly cheaper then a junk coop.

Graph paper is your friend!

 

[GilligansGirls]

I was in the same position. I wanted to get my feet wet first and figure out what I was doing. But not at the expense of my girls or quality, let alone my wallet. After looking at the major box type stores I saw that a huff and a puff could blow them over. After much research we finally went with one From The Chicken Coop Company. I am impressed with its sturdiness and construction. I did a few small tweaks to the roosts but that is it. Good latches etc. Plus free freight helped on the price. I will add a larger run as they grow but free range is the plan for the future.

 

[Jrobinsonmtplus3]

Ok so I've decided to build a coop!
But now I don't know how big to build!

If I keep all 8 chickens that are coming, does a 4x8 coop give me enough space per bird? I think that's 4sqf/ bird right?