What Do You Recommend For a Coop For 3 Bantams?

[Peep-Chicken]

Ii am looking for a coop for 3 Bantams. I would really like if the price was under $215.00, but was safe from predators and durable. I would like the kits with all the parts that all you need to do is assemble. A link would work to direct me to the coop that was for sale. I would like if it came with a run, but no run would be fine too. Thank you all!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Are they going to be silkies?

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Im going to get a mix of assorted bantams, so im not sure.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Im going to get a mix of assorted bantams, so im not sure.

Since you get cold weather, I'd make it a little bit bigger than normal to accomodate them in snow (normally 12 square feet inside the coop would be the general rule of thumb for three chickens- 4 square feet per chicken in the coop plus 10 square feet per chicken in the run- the bigger the better).

Chicken tractors are not good for snow.

So, I'd go with something like this:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bantams_in_chicken_coop.jpg
You can see how comfortable they could be even in snow in there with plenty of room to walk around a little. That one isn't for sale obviously, but I wanted you to see how a good amount of space is important for bantams in snow.

I will look around and see what I can find....

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://www.petco.com/product/122552...Cat=LN_BirdSupplies_DomesticFowl_ChickenCoops
I don't know about this product...was looking for the ventilation holes and maybe they are on the other side (they need ventilation) but maybe some other people will have more ideas too. This seems to be in your price range. I wonder if that material (I think it is plastic?) will hold up better than the wooden ones? You can always make some extra ventilation yourself if needed.

If you build something it may hold up longer than the coop kits...a lot of them have fallen apart for me over the years. Now I enjoy shed coops! They last so well.

The coop in the link, if I understand it correctly, could be difficult to clean out properly if the only access is from above plus that front door. You will need to be sweeping shavings out. Alternatively, you could use sand in the bottom and a kitty litter scoop to get the poo out (that is what I do in my shed coop). You would have to reach in from above and I don't know how easy that would be.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I just wanted you to know that I looked at this coop some more and on amazon.com one of the reviews mentioned that the door was difficult to keep closed and they were going to have to put a clasp on the door to make it predator proof...so it doesn't sound like the door is very good.

I hope you find a perfect coop!!

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: Halve the above numbers for bantams. 2 sq. ft. in the coop, 5 sq. ft. in the run. A 3 ft. x 3 ft. coop would answer well for your bantams. Have it raised off the ground. Plus, you can count the sq. ft. under the coop as yard sq. ft. . Get a piece of that translucent vinyl carpet runner (smooth on both sides). Tack it around the 3 outside sides of the raised coop. This will give the birds an outside weather shelter. Use a tarp and those bungees with the ball ends to make a roof for the coop in case of foul weather.
Best,
Karen
Nothing says you can't give them more space. These are minimums, smile.