Recommend a "storebought" coop

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spacetygrss

spacetygrss

In the Brooder
10 Years
Aug 24, 2009
83
0
39
DFW, TX
Hi all.

I was planning to build a coop this past Spring to start a small chicken flock (4-6 birds), but never got around to it (Neither DH, nor I are into building things). I want to buy a quality coop so that I can go ahead get my chickens this next Spring. I don't have any real financial reasons making it necessary for me to go the cheap route, but I also don't need a bunch of bells and whistles either.
So which ones are tried and true? I plan to let the chickens out for a bit in the evenings, but for the most part, they will be in a run.
 
^^
Thanks.
smile.png

I've come across lots of advertisements and sites, but I want to know if anyone had had any luck (or bad luck) with any particular companies. If I continually see the same company I figure that it'll help guide me on which one to purchase.

Here are a couple that have caught my eye (I have no plans to have any more than 4-6 chickens, with 4 being most likely).

http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Coops/The-Saltbox-Coop-with-Run-3-4-chickens-p697.aspx
http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Coops/The-Egg-Lady-6-chickens-p662.aspx
http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Coops/The-Victoria-Tractor-5-to-6-chickens-p814.aspx
 
I like the design of these EZ Clean coops:

http://www.ezcleancoops.com/

The ventilation is a bit problematic though (not enough, and not high enough to be left open year around). Their models were too small for what I need, also.

I ended up hiring a local builder to build me exactly what I wanted. I'm thrilled, finally, to have the perfect housing for my nine bantam girls.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=32217-the-just-right-coop

I highly recommend going this route and going local.
 
The EZ clean coops look great, but the biggest problems I had with all the store ready coops were lack of adequate ventilation, and predator-proofing. If I paid a lot of $ just to have to modify a lot of stuff, I'd rather just build it myself. Usually just having one air opening isn't enough, as it doesn't allow air to flow. Having air flow in through a lower spot and out as high as possible (like a ridge vent) would be best. A lot of latches on ready coops are pretty flimsy too, and many have chicken wire which wouldn't cut it where I live. Most of the screening is stapled on too, which any determined raccoon can just rip right off.
 
I was going to go the same route as you. But what I did was hired a local kid that was in a shop class at his high school to build me one. I paid a fraction of the price and the coop/run is solid as a rock. He build me a 4x4 coop and a 10x4 covered run. Nothing fancy, but will last for years. Might want to go that route or see if there are any local contractors that are currantly out of work and need a project to put some food on the table.
 
http://fancyfowlfarms.com/Coops.html Here's a place in Grandbury that makes coops. I haven't used them but you might check them out. They looked real good to me. I thought about using them but then decided to just get a Lowes shed. It's working out great.
 
Quote:
I wonder, though, if that design would guarantee a draft in winter, with cold air sinking out the low vent, thus pulling in outside air from the high vent?
 

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