Question about my first coop purchase please

[Chelps03]

Hello everyone I am planning on purchasing or building my first coop soon so I can raise chickens for eggs with the family. My only last concern is whether to buy a prefab coop for my first year or to jump all in and build the coop that I would want long term (I have decided on the chicken palace I believe). Part of me wants to buy a cheap coop for the first year too see how the overall experience goes, but I would also hate to spend the money 200-300 dollars on something I know will fall apart soon. On the other hand I would love to build my dream coop but with not knowing how the experience will turn out I hate to spend a large amount of money on a new hobby that I am trying out. I have always wanted to try chickens, a couple of my neighbors have small flocks and it looks like a blast and I think its something I can enjoy with my 3 young sons. (2yr old and 6 months twins) Plus we go through large amounts of eggs at our house. Can anyone help me with this decision please. Is it wrong to buy a small cheap coop which I know is not encouraged to see how the experience goes?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello everyone I am planning on purchasing or building my first coop soon so I can raise chickens for eggs with the family. My only last concern is whether to buy a prefab coop for my first year or to jump all in and build the coop that I would want long term (I have decided on the chicken palace I believe). Part of me wants to buy a cheap coop for the first year too see how the overall experience goes, but I would also hate to spend the money 200-300 dollars on something I know will fall apart soon. On the other hand I would love to build my dream coop but with not knowing how the experience will turn out I hate to spend a large amount of money on a new hobby that I am trying out. I have always wanted to try chickens, a couple of my neighbors have small flocks and it looks like a blast and I think its something I can enjoy with my 3 young sons. (2yr old and 6 months twins) Plus we go through large amounts of eggs at our house. Can anyone help me with this decision please. Is it wrong to buy a small cheap coop which I know is not encouraged to see how the experience goes?

This topic had come up a time or two here!
I think you will find the overwhelming response will be to build your own coop and not waste time on a pre-fab. They just aren't worth it.
Chickens ARE a blast! I really don't you will regret building the coop. Your boys can "help" and that will provide more meaning to the experience for everyone.
Caring for the birds that provide food for your family is priceless. And the chickens provide entertainment for free!
Have fun and good luck.

 

[PirateGirl]

If you are comfortable building, even if it is not your dream coop, you can likely build a larger sturdier coop for that same $200-$300 budget for a pre-fab. Maybe start checking craigslist or similar in your area and you may find something in your budget that is already constructed but may be better than the pre-fab you are considering since when buying a used coop your money tends to go a bit further. Good luck! I think you can make it work either way. I understand your hesitancy.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'll give you my own experience. I started off with a prefab and 4 chickens. I had the same thought as you, that I didn't want to start big and then realize it wasn't for me. I chose a prefab that was fairly sturdy and, with a few minor tweaks, had enough room for my flock at the time.

After 2 years I decided to go ahead and expand the flock. Had someone build a shed for the new coop. The prefab wasn't wasted... I recycled about 70% of it, taking it apart so it became my brooder, a covered feed station, and a waterer holder.

Long story short I don't think there's a wrong or right way to do it.

 

[Alaskan]

If you get a sturdy pre-fab it can be a great broody coop or grow out coop for chicks.

Do make sure it is strong enough to deter raccoons, and big enough for at least 2 full grown hens to be happy.

So a small but strong pre-fab coop can be a good introduction to chickens, just be very careful to not overcrowd.

If you are even slightly handy, you can make your own small coop out of scrap for zero or close to zero money. It might not be as cute as a coop you spend money on, but it would be a good introduction to chickens and help you decide what you like before spending more money.

With little kids I would strongly recommend no roosters.

Also, the snugglier/ more pet like breeds often don't lay as well.

With that said, my white Leghorns, though they do not like being held, are very friendly and love coming for treats. Leghorns are excellent layers.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Any shed type building will work better, be easier to manage, and can be repurposed if you loose interest in the birds! Do check craigslist or other local sources for buildings or materials you can use.
Garden sheds make a great base for a coop!
Mary

 

[FlyWheel]

If you know which end of the hammer is supposed to hit the nails with your best bet is to build it yourself. "Cheap" prefabs are going to be just that.

Now thwere are some very well built prefabbed coops out there (Carolina Coops is one that comes to mind) But you're going to pay for them.

 

[BigMan76]

Also following; I am in the same boat, so to speak. Looking to jump into chickens this Spring. Per ordinance (unincorporated suburban Chicago), I am capped at 4 hens. I have some limited carpentry skills but really am limited more on time that I can dedicate to building a coop. Any additional ideas or comments are welcomed! Thank you all; great forum!

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

I think you mostly have to watch out that the pre-fab coop is safe and secure. Nothing will put a damper on the whole thing like having all the chickens killed by a predator. We got our first flock in June. It was somewhat of a spur of the moment thing. We saw a coop for sale at Sam's Club and bought two of them. They were very rickety and I don't think the poor chickens would have survived long in them. We ended up taking them back and building a coop. More work, but I know my chickens are safe.

 

[BigMan76]

Thank you; I just read an awesome post on making a coop out of old pallets; I think I can get some from work and this has me thinking. . . are the pre-fab coops really that bad? I'd much rather opt for safety - we do have a fari number of predators where I live (coyotes, 'coons, hawks, you name it).