What Coop to Get?

[Michellep224]

Hello!
After TONS of research and searching, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that they don't sell what I need for under $1000.

Now, I am in desperate need of a coop that I can winterize because I live in Nelson Co VA, and it gets cold here.
I acquired my chickens from an older woman who had to move and couldn't take her chickens with her. They have been happy in covered runs all summer, as I've been moving them around the yard every day. I have 11 standard chickens, and 5 bantams. The standard hens are in 2 different runs for space reasons.
Some of the ladies are getting older, and I don't want to cull them, so I would like to have space to get a few younger ones too.

I bought the bantams a proper size coop/run for them, and they are happy in their fixed home. (Just need to do a little winterizing now)

I haven't the time to build my own coop the size I need it. I work, have class, and help take care of my big family and a large number of animals.
I want a coop that can ROOST 15-20 standard hens. The run is not a problem because they can free range in my goat pen. They will be outside of the coop most of the time.
But I would LIKE the coop to have enough room for enough roosting bars, and nesting boxes for 15-20 chickens.

Is that something that exists? I see a lot of coops that say they house 6-8, and some to 10 or 12, but not really 15.

I just need some help, y'all >_<

Thanks!

 

[jthornton]

All the coops you see for sale lie about how many they can hold and are poorly designed. Better off to start with a blank slate like a shed and go from there. Can you and your family build a shed?

JT

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I agree with jthornton. A used shed gives the most bang for the buck. A used 8x10 wooden shed on Craigslist will hold 20 chickens (7x8 will hold 14, maybe 15), and they are easy to modify for your needs. Only difficulty really is getting them moved to your place. Plastic and metal sheds that can be disassembled, easily moved and reassembled eliminate that problem, but they are a bit more difficult to modify.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

GET THIS!! Only One-Fiddy!

HERE : https://charlottesville.craigslist.org/grd/d/super-cute-chicken-coop/6697592242.html

 

[jthornton]

GET THIS!! Only One-Fiddy!

HERE : https://charlottesville.craigslist.org/grd/d/super-cute-chicken-coop/6697592242.html

That's not even cute much less a coop...

JT

 

[Wyorp Rock]

GET THIS!! Only One-Fiddy!

HERE : https://charlottesville.craigslist.org/grd/d/super-cute-chicken-coop/6697592242.html

lol That looks like it may fit 2 large fowl!

I agree, try to find a shed that you can put together yourself. For that many birds you need quite a bit of space. You may also want to look at places that sell storage buildings.
I was looking at carport tops not long ago and of course I looked at outbuildings, who doesn't need more of those. The place I was looking at had converted a few of them to chicken coops. They still needed some things like more ventilation and another window, but all in all they looked good, were well built and would last. I think they started around $800 but that's where I live.

Can you explain your thoughts on "winterizing" a coop? Are you wanting to insulate it? In winter, your coop needs to have plenty of air flow/ventilation. Insulating would be a waste of time/money. As long as your birds are free of drafts and the coop is dry, they will be fine. Having at least of portion of run covered and provide some winds blocks in the run so they have a dry/sheltered space outside will also help.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

When looking at descriptions that say holds 10...be skeptical. Look at dimensions. You know that you need at least 1.5 feet of roosting space per chicken. If you're looking to house 20 chickens, you'd probably be looking at $2500-$3000. I learned the hard way. Ended up spending $300 to build a basic coop, and $200 for the run. Wish I had thought of the used shed idea!!!! Our coop is 10 X 9 x 6. I have 20 chickens, that I own, and 2 turkeys that I'm raising for the neighbor. At 10 weeks old, they are growing like weeds and as happy as clams.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

lol That looks like it may fit 2 large fowl!

I agree, try to find a shed that you can put together yourself. For that many birds you need quite a bit of space. You may also want to look at places that sell storage buildings.
I was looking at carport tops not long ago and of course I looked at outbuildings, who doesn't need more of those. The place I was looking at had converted a few of them to chicken coops. They still needed some things like more ventilation and another window, but all in all they looked good, were well built and would last. I think they started around $800 but that's where I live.

Can you explain your thoughts on "winterizing" a coop? Are you wanting to insulate it? In winter, your coop needs to have plenty of air flow/ventilation. Insulating would be a waste of time/money. As long as your birds are free of drafts and the coop is dry, they will be fine. Having at least of portion of run covered and provide some winds blocks in the run so they have a dry/sheltered space outside will also help.

No it doesn't. Take a good look at it and the roost bars, you can easily fit at least 8 in there! And look at the outside shot with the run, it's bigger than you think it is!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No it doesn't. Take a good look at it and the roost bars, you can easily fit at least 8 in there! And look at the outside shot with the run, it's bigger than you think it is!

Sorry sweetie, but that is still not big enough for many chickens It would be good to put some meat birds in that would be butchered in 8 weeks since it's a movable tractor type deal, make it easy to move them to new grass daily, but you would want to add electric poultry fencing to keep the predators out.

If you notice in the photos they have juveniles in the photos - that's a nice marketing technique - makes it look larger
The OP would still have to spend $$ it needs waterproofing and TLC according to the ad, I also see chicken wire - that is not very secure, so either it needs hardware cloth added or electric fencing.
Not to mention...personally, I don't think I would every buy a used coop. To much risk of bringing in disease and/or parasites. The thought of that alone would not be worth it even if it were free.
Just my 2¢

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Sorry sweetie, but that is still not big enough for many chickens It would be good to put some meat birds in that would be butchered in 8 weeks since it's a movable tractor type deal, make it easy to move them to new grass daily, but you would want to add electric poultry fencing to keep the predators out.

If you notice in the photos they have juveniles in the photos - that's a nice marketing technique - makes it look larger
The OP would still have to spend $$ it needs waterproofing and TLC according to the ad, I also see chicken wire - that is not very secure, so either it needs hardware cloth added or electric fencing.
Not to mention...personally, I don't think I would every buy a used coop. To much risk of bringing in disease and/or parasites. The thought of that alone would not be worth it even if it were free.
Just my 2¢

Where were you when I bought one online for $350 that wouldn't hold 2 full grown chickens (not humanely anyway)???? LOL You're giving great advice!