New to chickens, picking them up in 2 wks
Need advise on coops, getting 2 silkies & 1 Ameraucana we live in Ontario Canada, wondering if anyone has feedback on coops from TSC?
I am not familiar with TSC coops. I do know they sell a lot of rabbit hutches and they are pretty small for chickens. Definitely follow the links that Mountain Peeps has provided to our coops pages for some ideas. Lots of nice coops with pics and descriptions on how to build them.
You can also go on line here and purchase prebuilt coops. Lots of them out there too. Even one of those kit sheds from home depot or lowes will work well. Just don't go with any metal sheds as they over heat fast. Stick with wood.
Good luck on this new adventure and enjoy your new chicks too!
I was gifted a small one as a Christmas present. Two hen size. I think they are alright if you're planning to quit having chickens soon. The quality just wasn't there. I added wheels so it worked like a tractor. It was hard to clean, and a daily hassle moving it around.
Might make a good house to quarantine one in.
Hello and Welcome To BYC! X3 on check out the BYC Coops section, usually you can make or have made a better coop than you can buy for the same price. The prefab coop at TSC tend to be lightly made and don't do well outside in the weather, and over estimate the # of birds they can contain.
I bought one of the type that is the same as a rabbit hutch to use as a separation pen for breaking broodies, or for sick chickens. It is only large enough for 2 hens or 3 bantams, and they must be let out during the day because it has very little room. The wood rotted on mine within 18 months, and the roof blew open and tore off because they are lightweight and it came with no latch. Mine was $99 on sale in the spring. This is the one I had: http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...heavy-duty-chick-n-hutch-2-4-chicken-capacity
Thank you everyone, I have been looking at all the coops online & I feel totally overwhelmed. I think maybe the best would be a converted shed?
Not that handy
We are only starting with the 2 silkies & the Ameraucana, we are in Canada & the winters can be rough with lots of snow.........uggghhhh what to do?
Going out today to look.
Pls keep the ideas coming
i also live in Ontario! I was going to buy a coop from TSC as well but after looking into it and doing lots of research on here I decided against it. They really don't have enough room nor do they look easy to clean. I didn't want to pay $300 for a coop that I would be cursing every time I had to clean it. Plus I wanted my hens to be as happy as could be! Another huge concern is that it's not insulated at all. Considering the "polar vortex" winter we had last year (and I hear its going to be like that again this year!) I was certain that I wanted to insulate my coop.
In the end we decided to build one. Way bigger and will be more comfortable for me and the chickens but the downside is the huge cost that comes with building it.