prefab options?

[soenso]

I was recently given three bantams by a friend and need a coop in a hurry. I don't think I will be able to free range them because there are hawks, raccoons, bears, etc. in my yard daily. Therefore, I'd like a large run. The space I have for them is about 10' x 10'.

Are there any inexpensive options for this? I don't have any tools or any experience with construction. I also don't have a car to bring wood and supplies home easily, so my best bet seems to be a prefab coop option that I can order online, either sitting inside a large fenced enclosure with a roof or with a large built in run. I live in New England, so weather is also a concern. I don't mind making some improvements to make it safe, such as new latches and weatherproofing treatment. I'd also like to keep this as inexpensive as possible.

Thank you so much for any feedback.

 

[DobieLover]

I was recently given three bantams by a friend and need a coop in a hurry. I don't think I will be able to free range them because there are hawks, raccoons, bears, etc. in my yard daily. Therefore, I'd like a large run. The space I have for them is about 10' x 10'.

Are there any inexpensive options for this? I don't have any tools or any experience with construction. I also don't have a car to bring wood and supplies home easily, so my best bet seems to be a prefab coop option that I can order online, either sitting inside a large fenced enclosure with a roof or with a large built in run. I live in New England, so weather is also a concern. I don't mind making some improvements to make it safe, such as new latches and weatherproofing treatment. I'd also like to keep this as inexpensive as possible.

Thank you so much for any feedback.

This article talks about your situation. Give it a read. It may help you out.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

With just 3 chickens (bantams at that)...... should be no problem at all housing them in prefab coops. Go for it!

 

[aart]

Are there any inexpensive options for this?

Not really...tho might depend on what you mean by "inexpensive".
The 'hurrier' the option, the more spendy it will be.

bears,

Hot wire is about the only thing that will deter bears.

I live in New England

Snow load will be a concern. Build it strong.

This article talks about your situation.

PreFabVillage......not sure they deal with NE type weather.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Are there any inexpensive options for this? I don't have any tools or any experience with construction. I also don't have a car to bring wood and supplies home easily, so my best bet seems to be a prefab coop option that I can order online, either sitting inside a large fenced enclosure with a roof or with a large built in run. I live in New England, so weather is also a concern. I don't mind making some improvements to make it safe, such as new latches and weatherproofing treatment. I'd also like to keep this as inexpensive as possible.

I don't know if $600 is too much for you.
I got the large version of this at TSC, and it's very rugged and has an insulated metal roof. It comes partially assembled.
The doors and windows and nest boxes are installed.
You will need a screw gun and 2 adults to attach the 4 walls to the floor and the roof to the walls.
The latches do lock with keys.
The small coop could hold 3 chickens, medium coop 5, large coop, 7. My opinion. Manufacturer says it'll hold 5, 10, and 15, respectively.
I would say the small should fit up to 5 Bantams.
Go to the TSC website and search chicken coops. Scroll down and you'll see the Over EZ coops Large Medium and Small in that order. Small is #18 on the first page today.
I added extra ventilation above the windows. . And hardware cloth on the windows.
A picture of mine inside looking through the pop door. .
I added a 2" x 3" wood wide side up in front of nest boxes and the same narrow side up inside the pop door to keep in shavings.
I also added electricity.
I put mine on cement blocks to raise off the ground. .
Mine was inside a 10' x 10' kennel. I tripled the run since.
I've had mine since last fall. Went through winter without a hitch. I would buy another.
The price will very in different areas of the country. GC
Edited spelling.

 

[soenso]

I don't know if $600 is too much for you.
I got the large version of this at TSC, and it's very rugged and has an insulated metal roof.View attachment 1871202 It comes partially assembled.
The doors and windows and nest boxes are installed.
You will need a screw gun and 2 adults to attach the 4 walls to the floor and the roof to the walls.
The latches do lock with keys.
The small coop could hold 3 chickens, medium coop 5, large coop, 7. My opinion. Manufacturer says it'll hold 5, 10, and 15, respectively.
I would say the small should fit up to 5 Bantams.
Go to the TSC website and search chicken coops. Scroll down and you'll see the Over EZ coops Large Medium and Small in that order. Small is #18 on the first page today.
I added extra ventilation above the windows.View attachment 1871170 . And hardware cloth on the windows.
A picture of mine inside looking through the pop door.View attachment 1871174 .
I added a 2" x 3" horizontal in front of nest boxes and the same narrow side up inside the pop door to keep in shavings.
I also added electricity.
I put mine on cement blocks to raise off the ground.View attachment 1871186 .
Mine was inside a 10' x 10' kennel. I tripled the run since.
I've had mine sinse last fall. Went through winter without a hitch. I would buy another.
The price will very in different areas of the country. GC

This is super helpful, thank you

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I use my pre fab co-op in my house lol, they are cheap depending on where or what you buy. My opinion waste of money!

 

[moniquem]

I also have an OverEZ coop, got the medium for 400.. Its pretty secure.

I added the hardware cloth in front of the window for ventilation and also put in some more vent holes at the top. Its a pretty nice coop!

 

[Matilda Belle]

IMO, don't get a prefab. Either build it yourself, or find a well-built one on craigslist. I purchased mine from the Amish for about $800. It was a 6x4 until I added onto it. It is built solid so nothing is getting in. I added on another 8 feet and had a roof built to cover part of the run. My run is 6' fencing with metal poles which I fastened with zip ties. I buried the fence about a foot into the ground. The total I've spent on the run and coop setup, was probably $2,000-3,000. Money well spent since I haven't lost a single chicken to a predator.