To anyone thinking of getting one of those cute little coops….

[3KillerBs]

My DH did the research and built a great brooder for our 4 chicks. He CANNOT envision what 4 adult hens look like or how much space they need. Luckily we do have a formex snap lock coop to accommodate 6-8 hems and a 10 x 12 run plus free ranging. So I just shut up, he will figure it out before he needs to.

An adult hen can be thought of as a 15" cube -- the physical size of the chicken and a little personal space.

 

[aynesidea]

I think the worst of it is using fake chicken on the product pictures to make them appear larger than they are. If that’s not false advertising, I don’t know what is. A family member of mine, who doesn’t have chickens, bought me a coop based on a misleading picture and description and it turned out to be only big enough to use for a broody hen.

How many advertisers use bantams as "large chickens"?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

How many advertisers use bantams as "large chickens"?

Usually they don't say large chickens, they just say chickens on the ads and box

 

[TimonHens]

I did read up enough to stray down the path of starting with a big woods open front Woods style when I started last year.

But after half a year of dealing with the reality of chickens in my yard (and out of my yard where the foxes wait ) I am wondering if something small and oogy would be the answer for a small auxiliary coop for my remaining bantams.

They're great lil birds, but the pecking order is fierce and I worry that a commercial coop would not keep them cozy enough in the winter for all that they would have it to themselves.
2 remain now but would like to get back up to a flocking number even if they'd have to share the run/yard.

 

[TimonHens]

It's not just chickens. I've had aquariums for years, and people overload their tanks with too many fish, incompatible fish, and commit any number of errors that impact the health of their pets. I think it shows that most people don't consider doing research before acquiring livestock, but rely on the $eller$ to guide them with their impulse buy.

Pet stores annoy me. 75% of what is on offer is misleading/inappropriate for any one kind of animal. But why make things right when you can make cute things for cheap and sell it again later. Just animals.

 

[TimonHens]

After the 5th trip to Lowe's I stopped keeping track. Tho the prices are high enough maybe I'll break even in 25 years instead of 30?

 

[laboroflove]

Any new chicken tenders this year thinking of buying one of those cute little coops from Tractor Supply - DON’T do it!

We made this mistake and IMO it’s really easy to do. They’re cute and small, advertised for up to 6 chickens. You just don’t realize how big they will grow, they grow for almost a year! But other than that issue, check out what your chickens will be stuck in if you live in a winter climate.

Every day I am so thankful that we did something else for them. I will say this is a nice little grow out coop or isolation unit in the right temps!

My daughter bought this exact one. BUT it was for her four bantams. I works well. She made an additional run to attach to the run so they have more space. I would NOT buy this for standard chickens of any amount.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I was given the little coop when someone gave me some bantams. It worked for me in the summer, because I could put baby chicks in the house (with the doors closed) and raise them inside for a while, and then let them out to the caged area, no touch for the hens but they could see them walking around. In the winter I would put it under a cover. But I would not use this as a regular coop.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

My daughter bought this exact one. BUT it was for her four bantams. I works well. She made an additional run to attach to the run so they have more space. I would NOT buy this for standard chickens of any amount.

Honestly, I love the sentinel coops apart from my snow issues and that the hinges are a safety hazard to me in particular. I wish they were a bit larger, but mine work for my birds. I wouldn't keep bullies in such a small space though personally

 

[laboroflove]

Honestly, I love the sentinel coops apart from my snow issues and that the hinges are a safety hazard to me in particular. I wish they were a bit larger, but mine work for my birds. I wouldn't keep bullies in such a small space though personally

I live in the south east so we get snow maybe once every two or three years (unfortunately). Our winters are pretty mild here.

I agree that it would also depend on the personality of the chickens in the coop. Bullies would definitely be a no-go. Thankfully her four are pretty calm and easy going.