TSC chicken coop kits.

[JeanetteN]

It is made of Steel and would be much too hot in the summer.

 

[TexasSam]

The main problems with Coop kits, is they are cute but, not made to stand up to the weather. Also they tend to greatly over estimate how many birds can comfortably fit inside.

Rule of thumb for coops: 4-5 sq.feet per bird in the coop not including roosts & nest boxes. In the coop should be 10 sq.feet per bird. Crowded chickens are not happy and
tend to result to pecking, feather plucking, bullying and at extremes cannibalism.

X2

Welcome to BYC.
I personally have never seen a TSC coop kit big enough to hold 12 chickens.

What ever the box/package says it will hold divided that by two.
If is says it will hold 6 it really means it may hold 3.

X2



Look plywood and screws are cheap. Sometimes time isn’t but the best thing about chickens is they are not glamorous they need dry and warm. I built my first coop in two days it wasn’t pretty but it was functional. I did spend my free time modifying and decorating it to my liking after they learned where home was. What I’m saying is it’s better to get the materials and do it. Plus there are so many things you can make a coop from old trampoline, swing set, trailers, sheds, and so on.

 

[Latestarter]

That's what ventilation is for. I'd expect they'd be out in the run during the day in any case. In bad weather when they're inside, there wouldn't be the sun's heat. I'd be more concerned with winters in MI... The vinyl coated one shouldn't be as hot. A shingled roof on a wood built one, or steel roof would be just as hot inside.

I hope you can find something that works for you, your nephew and the birds.

 

[Yowza Wowza]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Mylied]

I am a 78 yo Grandma who spent all her summers on her Grandparents farm in Michigan. I now take care of 29 chickens one day a week at the Chellberg Historic Farm which is part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. I am in the process of purchasing a chicken coop for my nephew who recently bought a farm in Michigan. Confused by the sizes and shapes of the coops. What has been the experience of members with the TSC kits? They want 12 chickens and I'm not sure about the kits.

Thank you.

Jeanette N

I'm sure many others have said, but the tractor supply coops are a huge waste of money. The quality is trash. He'd be better off building one or finding someone to build one.

 

[fur-mum]

I have a TSC coop. It's definitely not big enough for the number of chooks that it says it it. It's also not very sturdy. It might last a year or two if the weather isn't too severe, but don't expect something that will last a long time.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy You have already been given great advice, so I'll just say, Welcome to BYC. Enjoy your time here.

 

[AllenK RGV]

It is made of Steel and would be much too hot in the summer.

Or conduct too much cold in winter I agree. I am just so happy you are taking on this project and they feel lost without your "lost generational knowledge" leverage that into some memorable experiences! Tell your in my day stories and just have fun with it! Make them all suffer your unreasonable expectations that is what a good grandmother does, or at least mine did! On both sides of my family they were insufferable but highly missed and respected now that I am nearly 50. Leave your mark and have some fun! Make sure those folks miss your advice should they ever lose the resource that you are even if you are enabled by this community of enablers who want to see you get a big win on this. That if you plan it they will build it!

 

[sourland]

Good morning, Jeanette, and welcome to BYC. Much good advice has already been given. If available in your area, the purchase and modification of an Amish built garden shed might be feasible. Good luck in achieving your goal. TSC is NOT the answer.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

A friend got a decent sized Amish shed for just under 700 recently. Unsure the dimensions but I'm guessing 10x12 or maybe larger. Solid wood construction, had a flat bed auto tow company deliver it.