Suggestions for a Pre-Fab 4-or-6-Chicken Coop, Please?

[SoCalRooster]

Hello from Southern California. I hope you are well and stay well. I started on BYC almost 10 years ago, but my plans were veto-ed. Now at a new house - and in a new world!?! - BYC may actually happen! There are some beautiful coops on on BYC.com, and I hope to have one at some point, but for now, I'd like a simple, pre-fab coop for four or six hens that I can get up & running quickly. My guess is we'll get egg-laying-age hens, so that we have eggs as soon as possible.
THANK YOU for your suggestions - and ANY advice - that you have!
God Bless and Stay Healthy!

 

[Mamatomany123]

Do you have a budget. Any prefab that I've seen that is worth it are a few thousand. I think your best bet would be to build something. More bang for your buck and you can have a much better quality run and coop. We built a hoop run and used an old playhouse for the coop. Took us a weekend.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I know you wznt a prefab coop but the ones ive seen are not high enough quality to meet my standards, especially for the money. Thats why i designed and built my own.
That being said, I would suggest that you consider a prefab shed znd do a simple conversion. Hardware stores, lowes, home depot, sell better quality sheds that can easily be converted without much effort or build from scratch if you have the proficiency or like a fun learning project.
Best of luck!

 

[SoCalRooster]

Thank you all ! I was hoping for hundreds of dollars not thousands. : - ) Putting one together with the family sounds great though. There seem to be several kits on line with all of the wood and parts.
Pre-Fab shed is another great idea!

 

[Mamatomany123]

Thank you all ! I was hoping for hundreds of dollars not thousands. : - ) Putting one together with the family sounds great though. There seem to be several kits on line with all of the wood and parts.
Pre-Fab shed is another great idea!

The problems I've heard about the cheaper pre fans are the wood is very cheap quality and doesnt even last a year. They are very thin and flimsy.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The problems I've heard about the cheaper pre fans are the wood is very cheap quality and doesnt even last a year. They are very thin and flimsy.

x2. Prefabs made with better materials can get pretty pricey, up to the level of a custom build.

A premade or kit shed is a better deal, though you'll need to make some additions/alterations. I admit I was browsing playhouse kits - they're so cute! - but practicality won in the end as a playhouse that's big enough for an adult to stand in is essentially a shed anyhow.

 

[Mamatomany123]

x2. Prefabs made with better materials can get pretty pricey, up to the level of a custom build.

A premade or kit shed is a better deal, though you'll need to make some additions/alterations. I admit I was browsing playhouse kits - they're so cute! - but practicality won in the end as a playhouse that's big enough for an adult to stand in is essentially a shed anyhow.

We did a playhouse coop. I'll probably upgrade down the line but this is my first time owning chickens and it was free. I also have it raised so while I can't get in there, I dont have to bend to clean it out.

 

[SoCalRooster]

so, are we saying a child's playhouse, add raised/nesting areas? and add a chicken run outside?

 

[rosemarythyme]

A small shed would be better... don't fall for the cuteness!

 

[NatJ]

A small shed would be better... don't fall for the cuteness!

"Too big" does not really exist, when talking about chicken coops. (Too big for the owner's budget certainly does happen, but the chickens never seem to mind having extra space.)