Tractor supply coop

[corthendo]

It was suggested to me to post the coop we got and ask for advice on how to make it safer. I realize now that this coop probably wasn’t the best way to go but it’s a little late to change our minds. Chicks are 3 weeks old and we haven’t built it yet.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-prairie-coop-barn-red-6-8-chicken

 

[nuthatched]

As you haven't built it, take it back and use the money to build a real one.
Prefab coops are cheaply built, not predator proof, way too small and are money pits.

 

[Sally PB]

^^ Ditto that.

 

[Kiki]

Return it!

 

[Brooks_]

take it back and use the money to build a real one.

^^ Ditto that.

Return it!

I do not disagree.

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Same here. Avoid those like the plague and save yourself the headaches. If you are not the handy type, better off buying some sort of kit form garden shed or similar and adapting it.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I most strongly concur.

 

[South Dakota Guy]

I bought one that they advertised as for 8 to 10 chickens. In reality it only had enough space for three, if that. We just finished building our own and we like it so much better.

 

[Tired old Rooster]

I bought one that they advertised as for 8 to 10 chickens. In reality it only had enough space for three, if that. We just finished building our own and we like it so much better.

That seems to be the major common thread I see in complaints. Sometimes they are shoddy, but almost all of them seem to base their accomodation calculations on sardines, rather than chickens.

 

[TooCheep]

That seems to be the major common thread I see in complaints. Sometimes they are shoddy, but almost all of them seem to base their accomodation calculations on sardines, rather than chickens.

Yup. They base capacity on what factory farm chickens are subject to, not what is considered humane for backyard chickens. My first coop was a prefab. It was rated for 6 chickens, but was crowded for 3. At least I did a fair amount of reinforcement before putting the girls in it, so it held together well.

I'm in the process of building a new coop so that I can expand my flock.