Thoughts on cheap coop ideas?

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello everyone,
I've been wanting to breed purebreds for a while but don't have coop plans yet.
I can't find articles on here about cheap breeder coops or coops made out of dog houses.
Since I don't want to be buying a coop online I want to make one and was thinking that a raised dog house coop would be the way to go.
I was wondering if any of you have made one before and could give me tips?
I want an attached covered run as well.
I found this article online but it is a bit unclear to me and doesn't include measurements.
I want to breed Cochin bantams. How many would fit do you think if I got a normal-sized dog house? They would be free-ranging every day. I get harsh winters where I live so they would be staying in their covered run for a bit until it warms up and the snow melts. Would 4 or 5 fit?

Thanks!

 

[GodLovesU]

I have a coop/run that’s just a retriever brand dog kennel attached to a shed my dad built.The kennel was by NOT cheap though

 

[GodLovesU]

*-by

 

[pennyJo1960]

There are lot's of coop ideas on the home page.
This is my Banty coop two rooms the building was free
as the rooms where used to move house furniture.
We added height to allow us to walk in and added windows.
I also have a 12 x 20 foot large coop for my main flock.
I do admit I raised by a builder and DH was a CB in Navy.

 

[aart]

Hello everyone,
I've been wanting to breed purebreds for a while but don't have coop plans yet.
I can't find articles on here about cheap breeder coops or coops made out of dog houses.
Since I don't want to be buying a coop online I want to make one and was thinking that a raised dog house coop would be the way to go.
I was wondering if any of you have made one before and could give me tips?
I want an attached covered run as well.
I found this article online but it is a bit unclear to me and doesn't include measurements.
I want to breed Cochin bantams. How many would fit do you think if I got a normal-sized dog house? They would be free-ranging every day. I get harsh winters where I live so they would be staying in their covered run for a bit until it warms up and the snow melts. Would 4 or 5 fit?

Thanks!

You'd need the same things for a breeder coop(s) as you would for a flock coop. You may also need separate coops for the males.
Free ranging doesn't make up for lack of secure coop and run space, especially in harsh winters.
None of it will be 'cheap'.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I have a coop/run that’s just a retriever brand dog kennel attached to a shed my dad built.The kennel was by NOT cheap though

Do you think I could substitute a dog kennel with chicken wire?

 

[talkinboutchickens]

You'd need the same things for a breeder coop(s) as you would for a flock coop. You may also need separate coops for the males.
Free ranging doesn't make up for lack of secure coop and run space, especially in harsh winters.
None of it will be 'cheap'.

Oh yes of course the coop will need to be secure and predator-proof, that is definitely top-priority
How many bantam cochins will be able to fit comfortably in there do you think?

 

[aart]

Do you think I could substitute a dog kennel with chicken wire?

Chicken wire is not predator proof.

Oh yes of course the coop will need to be secure and predator-proof, that is definitely top-priority
How many bantam cochins will be able to fit comfortably in there do you think?

In where?
Basic rule of thumb is 4 sqft per bird in coop and 10 sqft per bird in run. Those are bare minimums, you may need more need more in your harsh winter climate.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

In where?
Basic rule of thumb is 4 sqft per bird in coop and 10 sqft per bird in run. Those are bare minimums, you may need more need more in your harsh winter climate.

In the coop and run combined

 

[paintedChix]

You seemed to have disappeared... I'm not sure if you ever built your chickencoop & run or if you are still researching.

I thought I'd give an answer... if coop & run are combined, such as in an open air coop, you would go with run size of 10'/bird. If you are going w/ dog house coop - whether attached outside run or put in run - you would need to do minimum of 4'/bird of floor space (nest boxes, waterer, feeder can not be on floor or space for them needs to be added) and 1'/bird roost space.

The dog house article stated in comments that their size was 4x2.5'. That only allows for 2.5 birds OR could probably do 3 birds if bantams... Honestly, with harsh winter conditions, sounds like they'd be cooped more often then allowed into run or free ranged. Then, you would want a lot more space, to prevent bullying and boredom.

We, as a group, don't know where you live.

Even in most winter conditions, a CP hoop coop could be a good choice. There are many here on BYC in all 4 categories - small, medium, large & tractors. They can be more affordable then "regular" coops - even built to "Ft Worth" standards. They can be built to handle snow & wind - using a variety of materials. And if you are thrifty, you can get material from lower costs to free.

There are other options as well w/ dog kennels not the house, but the kennels. Again a variety of ways to do a coop & the roof. Supposedly, A 10 x10' kennel would handle 10 chickens, but I can tell you that that.is.too.many.chickens.for that size...

Pallets - wood or plastic - range from free to $25 here. Can build to your size requirements, variety of roof styles.

I've had my own chickens rip out of chicken wire. Most expensive part(s) of your build will be hardware cloth (HWC).

You can build any of a number of chicken tractors. However, with harsh winter conditions, I expect you wouldn't be able to move it daily. You would need to be able to be able to add run space to accommodate them.

If you are still on BYC, would love to know what you came up with.