What chicken coop

[jenxsawyer]

You are soo right. I should just do it. To be completely honest I just want to learn more first so I know what I am doing and don't mess up and get my girls killed or anything. I am soo not handy and have four children that are very demanding and sometimes make it hard to do long jobs that require a lot of time at once. I definitely want to build my own and will get there I promise, I just need this thing to work out or something else for a year tops.

I actually have this in my back yard I was going to use at first

 

[junebuggena]

That was my thought on how to make it usable...leave off the front panel. But I would use hardware cloth not chicken wire to cover the top space. But then I am the lady who is considering that coop or the other one you posted as a broody/isolation coop....with modifications.

And if I hear one more time "just build it" I will scream. I have to do this by myself and with a bad right shoulder it has already proven to be a lesson in futility. But I have to say...I am intrigued by some of what junebuggena posted. I know my local lumber store will cut to specs for me. I just worry that my shoulder will give out on me. But I am close to giving it a try. So maybe you can too? I have considered an A-frame for a coop like I need. Seems simplest.

And I have tons of PVC pipe from another project to make a hoop over it. All of this would be put inside my fenced and skirted pen. Just throwing out things I have considered.

If I can build something, you can build something. I'm only 5 feet tall. I only weigh about 90 lbs. My hands are slightly arthritic. The most I can lift, without risking serious injury is about 50lbs. If I can manage it, you can, too.

 

[aart]

Ok So I am reading online and the most people complaining are saying that it isn't insulated enough and will only do well in hot climates and the material it is made from which is not actually wood lets out too much heat..and replied to my comment that ventilation is the least thing to worry about it is very well ventilated but that it will not stop raccoons at all. Now I am extra confused.

Oh and also on the actual site it states that these slits are on all four sides plus it is raised on the bottom with slits underneath.....I hope you guys arent annoyed I am genuinely trying to make the best choice with the time I have for the moment. After I learn more I def plan on making my own coop but like you said I dont want to harm my babies.

Take a deep breath..adn another.........take all manufacturer sales/website reviews with a grain of salt.... rather many, many grains of salt.
The backyard chicken marketing machine is chock full of misinformation...as are many of the reviews.
Chickens are easy...after the first year.
The first year is really tough, due mostly to all the misinformation,
and there are many different ways to keep chicken in a healthy way, depending on climate and knowledge.

 

[Birdydeb]

I can't even imagine trying to build with four children running around. See, there are usually things other people don't know about. If I get help from hubby he will take over and I will just say that will be a disaster. That man did NOT get a construction gene on his Y chromosome! LOL Plus it will be a battle royale because he will attempt to modify what I have already researched. Still he puts up with me so what can I say? Is the rabbit pen you already have just too small? Can't tell much about the size. You are not annoying me...it is how I work things out too. I ask and ask until I work it out in my head and I can "see it". Until I can see it in my head I am clueless.

 

[junebuggena]

You are soo right. I should just do it. To be completely honest I just want to learn more first so I know what I am doing and don't mess up and get my girls killed or anything. I am soo not handy and have four children that are very demanding and sometimes make it hard to do long jobs that require a lot of time at once. I definitely want to build my own and will get there I promise, I just need this thing to work out or something else for a year tops.

I actually have this in my back yard I was going to use at first

Get a piece of plywood cut to go over the wire floor and you are set! For wet/windy weather, you can just tarp that one side that's not sheltered by the house. Plywood over the door will help make the door/ramp more friendly to chicken feet. You don't need feed or water in the coop since chickens don't eat or drink at night, when sleeping. And if you shop Costco, you can get boxes that are perfect for nest boxes. A piece of 2x4 set on some bricks will work as a roost.

 

[jenxsawyer]

I am probably physically capable...that is not the issue...mentally...not so sure LOL. But I appreciate your reply

 

[junebuggena]

Oh, and you only need 1 nest box for 4 hens.

 

[jenxsawyer]

SO you are saying this rabbit hutch works and is not too small for four chickens? I thought they needed to roost though?

 

[jenxsawyer]

LOL yes it is chaotic and they all do activities except the 1 year old...but he falls and runs into stuff every five minutes so I cannot imagine him doing a sport hahah jk. Anyways my husband is handy but I need him to fall in love first. He is not into chickens whatsoever but since we have had the little chicks he picks them up and talks to them so i think he is warming up and eventually will want to give them the best <3 Until then I just need to keep reading and learning so i can be a good momma to my babies.

 

[junebuggena]

There are lots of ways to put roosts in. They don't have to be fixed to the sides of the coop. They just need to be elevated enough so that they don't sleep in the nest box and get the eggs all poopy in the morning.