What Coop to Get?

[jthornton]

So could I get away with 4 for upto 20 birds? I only have about 15 right now. But will be expanding as soon as new runs are made. Looking at getting 80 layers by March.

Depends on the size, mine is 48" wide, 14" tall and about 14" deep where the hens sit. Mine fits 5 hens comfortably.

JT

 

[lissalischicks]

What about getting a shed from like home depot or something similar to it. The cheaper ones won't be the best quality but it may do. Then you can winterize and put roosts and nesting boxes inside.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Not sure what your circumstances are. Really just sounds like you're unprepared. I was in the same boat. Just gotta decide what the priority? What's your goal. Keeping the birds. If so, for what purpose?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

@Michellep224 What are you currently using for your runs? Is there anyway to modify those into a coop? Or could you tackle a hoop coop? I know there are plenty on here that use the hoop coop model for a coop and run.
I would look at craigslist for a shed, carport, coop, run, etc. If anyone in your family is handy - there is always something out there to modify or to build from scraps.
It sounds like your bantams are set, but you want to build for a max of 15 full sized chickens. Since they do have access to the outdoors - they might still want to free range even when winter comes. Or they may be be more fussy and want to be in a sheltered area. Mine were out as long as they had areas where the snow didn't cover the ground. The minimum (not what the majority recommend here on byc) is actually 2 sq ft per chicken as long as you feel comfortable with that little of space, you could get by with 30 sq ft of housing space. If you want to go by most of the recommendations of the byc members, then you want to go with 4sq ft per chicken or more. That means at least 60sq ft. According to most, the height doesn't matter except when it comes to roosts.
Storey's guide to raising chcikens says you should have at least 8" of roost to 10" per bird.
My final recommendation is that more space is better especially if you have to deal with integration or grumpy chickens but at least you can have some wiggle room if you choose to go with less than what is the norm recommended here on byc.

 

[Michellep224]

My runs are just wire runs.
1 was given to me homemade from wood and hardware cloth. No protection from cold winds and stuff.
The second one I bought online, and it's just a dog-crate type metal bar run with a tarp over top. Again, no real protection from the cold.
The runs have been good and sufficient through the summer, but I have no nest boxes, and the hens need some protection. I don't think what I have can be made winter-proof.
I move them around often so they have new grass. I covered the dog-crate run with a stronger tarp before the rains hit, and they stayed dry.

I understand I don't need to have an insulated coop, but I need to be sure that it is able to withstand lots of below freezing days and nights.

I already have nest boxes I can put into a coop. My brother in law is giving me his old boxes, which are still in good condition.

I have looked on Craigslist. Everything reasonably nearby is either WAY out of my price range or too small for my chickens.
I did see this one, though:
https://lynchburg.craigslist.org/grd/d/the-hoop-coop/6672520358.html
Is it a bad idea?? Would it big enough? Would it keep them warm?

My boss sells storage buildings as a hobby, and stated the going rate for the size I need is around $3000 new. That's without the moving costs, or the upgrades(roosts, boxes, etc)
Around here the Amish-type buildings are common, but very expensive.

I've looked at the cheap department store sheds that ship to you so you can put them together. Those seem to cost between $400-$1000. My brother bought one to put stuff in, and found out it leaks. He says they are not made sturdy, and aren't worth the money.

Yes, we've got a few handy people in the family, including myself, but we are also extremely busy. We started a treehouse project last spring that is yet to be finished. We also have lots of rewiring and home repairs to do on our old house. No time for DIY coop building >_<

This is the dilemma I've been facing for months. I've been asking around. I've been searching craigslist. I've been looking at every coop-selling website I can find.
I have needs, and am struggling to find the resources to meet them.

 

[Conan]

Honestly, I'd really consider a cattle panel hoop coop. Extremely cost effective, sturdy and super easy/fast to set up. Four standard cattle panels put together will give you an 8 x 16 (approx) space. Blooie has a fantastic base design using only t posts, panels and hardware cloth.
We built one for our ducks, one for our greenhouse/rabbits and are currently building one for spring goats. You can definitely build it for well under $1000.
Best of luck to you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Honestly, I'd really consider a cattle panel hoop coop. Extremely cost effective, sturdy and super easy/fast to set up. Four standard cattle panels put together will give you an 8 x 16 (approx) space. Blooie has a fantastic base design using only t posts, panels and hardware cloth.
We built one for our ducks, one for our greenhouse/rabbits and are currently building one for spring goats. You can definitely build it for well under $1000.
Best of luck to you!

A hoop coop didn't cross my mind until the OP provided a link to the craiglist ad.
@Blooie @aart can ya'll chime in?

 

[Conan]

A hoop coop didn't cross my mind until the OP provided a link to the craiglist ad.
@Blooie @aart can ya'll chime in?

That's funny, I didn't even see the CL add
That doesn't sound like a bad deal, especially in a pinch. Plus they could be modified to provide more cover or less, depending on the season.

 

[Blooie]

Love love love my hoop run. The coop is just a shed type structure, and the run was cheap, fast, and easy for two old, disabled folks to put upin a single weekend. It was easily expanded when we needed more space and there isn’t a Wild Wyoming weather phenomenon that it couldn’t handle. Because there was no wood frame or any other kind of bracing, it flexed with our super high winds and snow loads instead of being stiff and fighting the winds.

Another thing to think about - and I’m glad we did - is what will happen if you ever get out of raising chickens. I faced that tough decision over a year ago, and rehomed my entire flock. Because we thought ahead, given my health and what we knew would be a grueling travel schedule in 3018-2019, I won’t have an empty chicken coop sitting out there. Not one penny of the money we spent will be wasted, because the hoop run will become a perfect greenhouse and the coop will be the garden shed. We were going to do it this year, but with hubby’s current position we are gone more than we’re home for the next year. But when we are ready, after our year of this travel is over, it will need absolutely no modification to function as a greenhouse.

You can find more information on my setup by clicking on My Coop under my avatar. This is my coop in winter, and yeah, there are chickens in there....including Silkies!

And thanks for the tag, @Wyorp Rock!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

@Michellep224 the hoop coop in the ad, although built, is made with chicken wire. Not sure that would hold up to your predators?
If you could build one yourself it would be less costly.

If all else fails, you could get a prefab or two and modify. Tsc has one that states it can hold 20. Which means 10 maximum and that's probably not enough run space.
You would still want to modify it (add a coat of Thompson's water seal plus extra hardware cloth to make a predator proof apron, etc), but at least it's something for a short term. You would want to keep it off of the ground too so that it would last longer. I used pavers when I had a prefab.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/coops-feathers-chicken-resort-for-18-20-chickens
Whatever you choose, good luck!