What are signs of a chicken coop that is too small?

[Pennys Mama]

A cattle panel runs roughly $25. Each panel will yield about a 4'x8'x6' hoop. That means front to back 4' side to side 8' and 6' tall. I used 2 panels to get an 8x8 run on my small coop.

Base framing will depend on what you use. Mine has 2x6 pine boards. They are roughly $8 each.
The cattle panel will need wire attached over it. Again that will depend on what you choose. What you choose should be based on your predator load and what kind of predators.

Then there will need to be a dry section. A good tarp helps a lot with that.

I would say it can be done under $250 to get an 8x8 space secured.

Yes it is still a chunk of money especially when the budget is tight.

The nice thing is expanding later on is pretty easy.

Do you have any photos of yours? I'm needing to figure out a new/different coop for our ducks, hopefully before they start laying eggs.

 

[aart]

Link took me straight to the referenced coop.

Really?....interesting, because all TSC links seems to go to the home page instead of product page for about 4 months now. I had to change a bunch of my reference links to other distributors.
Now if I highlight the link, right click, and hit 'search google, it's goes to product page.
SMH.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Do you have any photos of yours? I'm needing to figure out a new/different coop for our ducks, hopefully before they start laying eggs.

Mine is hooked to my 6x8 coop.



I was able to use chicken wire because my predator load is low and my birds are locked in every night without fail.


Edited to add....
To go longer add more cattle panels. It would increase by 4'x8' with each added panel.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Also check Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. You might get lucky and find one cheap or free. If someone lost or got rid of their chickens, or just replaced their old coop, you could score a new-used one.

We built our coop too small (although it was more than 4 sq ft per chicken), so when it came time to build the nest box, we added it to the outside with a small addition. This has worked very well; although I think a bigger coop would be more appropriate, it’s clear they can move around easily. I also hunted down the slimmest feeder and waterer that would work.

 

[Henanigan]

Get a retired wood worker or carpenter to rebuild one. May take a few days. You can state what your budget is and they will build with wood laying around their homes. That's what I had to do. It was worth the money to see my hens love it and be rodent free.

 

[Pennys Mama]

Mine is hooked to my 6x8 coop.

View attachment 1954381

I was able to use chicken wire because my predator load is low and my birds are locked in every night without fail.


Edited to add....
To go longer add more cattle panels. It would increase by 4'x8' with each added panel.

Thanks, that gives me some ideas for my ducks!

 

[Acre4Me]

Sorry about the link...I am not sure why it went to the home page. The link does look good. Kind of bizarre. Sorry for the confusion.

Yeah, this makes me so mad...we got this coop on sale after chick days was over. I am so shocked it says 8 chickens if it is too small for 4. I am not sure what we are going to do with winter upon us in another month or so. This coop is also a piece of junk, please do not buy it! It has started falling apart since we have got it. It has been less than a year and the maintenance on it has been pretty high because pieces are falling apart and we don't have a lot of funds or even power tools to build one.

I have seen small smears of blood in the coop like on roots and on the inside walls of the coop. Nothing major, but I figure they are pecking each other. There are two of them that have scratches with dried blood on their combs. We had some chickens coming out at night when the weather was warm and just sitting out in the run once in a while. It is evident that 3 out of 4 of our hens have been pecked. Their feathers aren't looking too hot.

@Aquatic_blue - there are low cost options you can implement. So, don’t feel too stressed.

1. Since you live in a dry environment that doesn’t get frightfully cold this is a positive. In fact, enviable to those of us that went through the horribly wet and icky fall/winter/spring of ‘18-19. Your girls hopefully have a decent run area they can access.

2. The pre-fabs aren’t made so great, but others have modified theirs with a few things that help, but for you, protecting the coop from sun/rain can help. A piece of scrap OSB/plywood/metal or plastic roof panel can shield it from some environmental damage. Think about each Structure problem as it’s own issue, and decide if it can be fixed/improved within reason. As each gets solved you’ll feel more accomplished while staying within your means.

3. Pecking order -it happens, and can include bloody combs. But, the other thing that can cause this is not enough protein. If you are feeding a 16% feed you should not be giving them any treats bc this dilutes their protein intake. Well, canned or cooked meat would help, but generally $$. And, yes they will eat meat...even chicken. So, you can switch to an all-flock feed, usually at 18-20% protein, but you need to supply calcium for the layers -usually in the form of oyster shell. Or, you can look for a layer feed that is higher than 16%. Some people supplement with dry cat food for extra protein. If you do this, crush it or add some water to soften. Do not replace all their food with this...it is not meant as the sole ration for poultry and is not designed for that, but it is an inexpensive way to supplement protein on a small scale.

Overall, feather picking can be boredom, so a bigger run will help. Can be lack of protein and feathers are mostly protein and they will eat feathers. Can be pecking order. But, you can address the space and protein requirements as a chicken keeper.

Definitely plan for a bigger/better coop when you can. With this coop, don’t add any more chickens. Many keepers do not have huge coops, but have a peaceful flock. My coop would be undersized according to many on here, but my flock is generally peaceful. I do feed a 20% all-flock bc I have males in the flock and some M and F are very large breeds. I have a large run for the flock, and visual distractions/interruptions which helps with pecking order.

good luck!

 

[Aquatic_blue]

A cattle panel runs roughly $25. Each panel will yield about a 4'x8'x6' hoop. That means front to back 4' side to side 8' and 6' tall. I used 2 panels to get an 8x8 run on my small coop.

Base framing will depend on what you use. Mine has 2x6 pine boards. They are roughly $8 each.
The cattle panel will need wire attached over it. Again that will depend on what you choose. What you choose should be based on your predator load and what kind of predators.

Then there will need to be a dry section. A good tarp helps a lot with that.

I would say it can be done under $250 to get an 8x8 space secured.

Yes it is still a chunk of money especially when the budget is tight.

The nice thing is expanding later on is pretty easy.

Well, it is less than we paid for this coop. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[Aquatic_blue]

Also check Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. You might get lucky and find one cheap or free. If someone lost or got rid of their chickens, or just replaced their old coop, you could score a new-used one.

We built our coop too small (although it was more than 4 sq ft per chicken), so when it came time to build the nest box, we added it to the outside with a small addition. This has worked very well; although I think a bigger coop would be more appropriate, it’s clear they can move around easily. I also hunted down the slimmest feeder and waterer that would work.

I keep combing through craigslist, but I have never seen a used coop or shed so they either go quick or people don't post them. I will keep looking, though. I will have to tell my husband to look at Facebook since I don't have one. Thanks!

 

[Aquatic_blue]

Get a retired wood worker or carpenter to rebuild one. May take a few days. You can state what your budget is and they will build with wood laying around their homes. That's what I had to do. It was worth the money to see my hens love it and be rodent free.

This sounds like a good idea, but I am not sure where to even start looking for a retired carpenter.