What do you think of assemble yourself coop kits?

[PhilErvin]

I looked at the coop in question and I think you should Go for it. Having just recently completed my own coop from scratch https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=40971
I can tell you that the price they are asking seems reasonable to me. Wood is not cheap. The design looks good, the quality looks good, and I wouldn't worry about it being flimsy.
Good luck and I know you'll enjoy your coop

 

[dianneS]

I'm considering buying it. My husband thinks its a good price. We normally build things ourselves, but we just don't have the time to build from scratch right now, we're overwhelmed with other projects at the moment.

I'm going to be using it for my OEGB and they are teeny tiny. I do free-range my chickens and they only use their coop at night. I'm just thinking of separating my OEGB from time to time so I can get pure bred babies! I have so many cross breeds from everyone running loose all the time!

I'll let you know what I decide. I won't be able to order this coop for another week or two. I emailed the seller and she said she shouldn't sell out of them for quite some time. Of course I am still considering contacting my nephews building trades class, those kids need a project!

 

[dragonchick]

I have been looking at coops online and that size seems awful tiny. That's not even 3x3. No way you could fit anything in there for water without crowding them. On the number of birds they say it will fit, maybe they are talking half grown chicks. There's no way even a bantam would be comfortable in that. Be prepared for a lot of fighting and pecking.

 

[Chicksdigit]

I dunno.......

It is a cute little coop but for $279 and a saturday afternoon I think I could make one twice the size. Some of the cost is for shipping and some is for profit I know you have to have time but you are going to have to put this one together right? Just plan your cuts and get after it . Just my opinion.

 

[dianneS]

I just don't think we could build one so cute. If we built one, it would be very basic and probably ugly

. If my husband were to insist on making it pretty, he would put so much time into it, that it just wouldn't be worth it, that's just how he is (and he doesn't have the time anyway.)

We would have to build a run, that we can do, and make it as big as we want, we've got the space. Like I said, my chickens free range most of the time anyway.

I still have to think about it. Maybe I'll find some plans on here and see if my nephew's building trades class will build me one if I supply the materials!

 

[dianneS]

Quote:
Wow! That coop you built is awesome! What a great job, and the run too! If my Dad were still alive, there would be no question about it, we would be building it ourselves. His name was Ken too. I'm not accustomed to buying pre-fabbed things or hiring help, my Dad was so self-sufficient, he could do anything necessary. But I'm just not that capable and pretty overwhelmed with my farm and my old Victorian house re-model, and soon a new garage.

I wish I had the time to build a chicken coop! Luckily our main coop is a really cool, big old smoke house that was salvaged from another property.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

That's the way I'd do it--the wood shop kids do very good work and I've always been satisfied. I'd also post something on Craiglist & see if you can find a good coop near you for cheap...or sometimes you can find custom coops for cheap. I just contacted a guy in Portland who does custom coops. I asked him for 5 frames (no siding or roofing) on some bantam pens in exchange for credit on my website & his contact information--he agreed! So basically, he's going to do all 5 frames (these are 4 x 4 bantam coops that I'll be adding runs, roofing & siding to) for $25 a piece. Not too bad...especially for the lumber & his time.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
Wow! That coop you built is awesome! What a great job, and the run too! If my Dad were still alive, there would be no question about it, we would be building it ourselves. His name was Ken too. I'm not accustomed to buying pre-fabbed things or hiring help, my Dad was so self-sufficient, he could do anything necessary. But I'm just not that capable and pretty overwhelmed with my farm and my old Victorian house re-model, and soon a new garage.

I wish I had the time to build a chicken coop! Luckily our main coop is a really cool, big old smoke house that was salvaged from another property.

Where are you located?

 

[elmo]

I seem to remember reading that someone had problems with a kit bought on ebay, no idea if it was the same manufacturer, though. You could check in this thread and maybe contact the poster yourself to find out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=57816

 

[Harrietsmum]

I am not convinced that this wood is properly treated for outside use. It only says coated in a waterproof paint, not 'treated timber'. You may find that it rots very quickly from the ground up.