Suggestions for suburban Chicago coop/run--prefab with modifications?

[preppyrider]

Hello! I have zero experience with chickens, but am fascinated by the idea of backyard chickens and my friends who have them love them--so my husband and I are planning to dip our toes in the chicken water and get 3-4 hens. I've read a ton of threads here (and blogs elsewhere) and I understand the limitations/disdain for prefab coops. If we like having chickens, we will invest the time and money into a solid, well-built, permanent coop and run.

Until that decision is made, I'm interested in purchasing a prefab and making some modifications as I've viewed on other threads here--painting/sealcoating, extending the run, etc. This setup would only need to last 6-8 months.

I would love any suggestions regarding the best prefabs (oxymoron?), suggestions on the type of prefab for a noob (walk-in? short coop)?, suggestions on run construction, etc. We have 1.3 acres, partially fenced, but hens will spend most of their time in the run due to lots of predators--we'll allow supervised free-ranging when we can. I also have a roughly 16x24 outbuilding that can house the starter coop in extreme temps if necessary.

I've been on Facebook and Craigslist watching for used coops/sheds/playhouses etc. and am just not coming up with anything, so time to figure out a short-term, non-permanent option while we give this whole thing a try.

Thanks.

 

[cavemanrich]

Walmart sells chicken coops on line. They can be delivered or picked up at store. Look thru and see which you want for your temporary solution.
https://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=chicken coops
Walmart is priced lower than other sites for same or very similar coop.
WISHING YOU BEST...........................

 

[Lazy Farmer]

&
Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Welcome! You can make just about anything work for temporary housing but I would suggest a walk in structure for a permanent coop. They are much easier to clean and maintain (in my own opinion).

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Welcome! You can make just about anything work for temporary housing but I would suggest a walk in structure for a permanent coop. They are much easier to clean and maintain (in my own opinion).

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you are truly intending for this to be short term (to "try it out") then really almost any prefab would work, albeit with some alterations, as 3 chickens would still need at least 12 sq ft of coop space. The prefab later could work as a brooder, isolation cage, etc. My prefab got dismantled into 3 parts (now a brooder, a covered eating area, and a waterer stand) so I got some good use out of it.

I would put more money into the run in this case, as even if you decide chickens aren't for you, the run could still work as anything from a fenced in garden area to a dog run. Depending on how fancy you want to get, the run could be anything from a premade dog kennel to a wood framed, welded wire fenced unit with a roof.

 

[TK421]

I have a slightly diff view. Get a prefab and keep it a full year at least. After 6 months they will have just started laying. After a year the problems with predators, drainage, maintenance, and site layout will show themselves. If you develop a chicken math problem you’ll have a better idea whether you want double or triple your current number, and by then you might know whether you want a brooder setup or a meatbird setup.

As for prefab, I suggest you prioritize a walk in style. it will be more flexible for you in its second life as a brooder, meatbird pen, or sick pen. Many of us like nestbox access without going inside the coop so I suggest that. If the prefabs you find look like they can be separated out into components rather than a single structure, that might help you later on. Good luck and welcome!!!

(My condolences to all your free time now that you’ve found this site)

 

[preppyrider]

Thank you all so much for the advice, this is exactly the type of feedback I was looking for when I posted! @TK421 no kidding--I've spent hours here already, what a great forum! The information available here is awesome!

 

[2hotchicks]

Hello! I have zero experience with chickens, but am fascinated by the idea of backyard chickens and my friends who have them love them--so my husband and I are planning to dip our toes in the chicken water and get 3-4 hens. I've read a ton of threads here (and blogs elsewhere) and I understand the limitations/disdain for prefab coops. If we like having chickens, we will invest the time and money into a solid, well-built, permanent coop and run.

Until that decision is made, I'm interested in purchasing a prefab and making some modifications as I've viewed on other threads here--painting/sealcoating, extending the run, etc. This setup would only need to last 6-8 months.

I would love any suggestions regarding the best prefabs (oxymoron?), suggestions on the type of prefab for a noob (walk-in? short coop)?, suggestions on run construction, etc. We have 1.3 acres, partially fenced, but hens will spend most of their time in the run due to lots of predators--we'll allow supervised free-ranging when we can. I also have a roughly 16x24 outbuilding that can house the starter coop in extreme temps if necessary.

I've been on Facebook and Craigslist watching for used coops/sheds/playhouses etc. and am just not coming up with anything, so time to figure out a short-term, non-permanent option while we give this whole thing a try.

Thanks.

I bought a prefab from mypetchicken.com. I'm also a noob city dweller with only 2 chickens. I'm planning my new coop now which we will build. The prefab helped us get started & learn what we like/don't like. My new coop will be human walk-in height, a 56 year old crawling around the chicken run is not a pretty sight & not a lot of fun.