Which coop?

[Spartan22]

I myself is new to chicken keeping (first year) and building my own coop was very rewarding. I got no skill nor experience in building anything except assembling my kids toys.
Like you I have considered the premade coops since I got no building credibilities nor tools (Never touch nor seen wrench and hammer till I got married) But after reading lots of reviews about prefabs, I've decided to design and make my own, YouTube and reading/asking a lot of Qs helped me start & finished this project spring/summer of last year since I plunged in taking chicks home w/o any preparation (bought them on impulse) Im chiming in just to encourage you to make right decisions. I've attached a few pics for proof of a worthwhile project I never knew I can do.

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Good for you to be ambitious! You mentioned that you'll be moving out in 8 years. I love that you want to raise chickens. Are your parents on board for you to have chickens? Will they subsidize your hobby if your allowance doesn't cover feed and medical care? I'm proud of you for wanting to raise chickens. Will you enjoy them mid-winter and be responsible for their care? Will you care for them first, before school, friends, dates? Once you decide to raise an animal, they come first, every day. If you need to set your plan back a couple years, don't worry. Keep learning.

Thanks. My parents are ok with this if my sister and I take care of them, pay for them, ect.
yellowchicks- We have plans for this coop, and we are making modifications to the plan as needed to make it work. Thank you for the ideas.
We have a friend's dad who is willing to help us build this.
I think we are almost ready to decide on a coop, if we can figure out all the kinks- and the cost

 

[yellowchicks]

Quote:
If you have someone to help building the coop, you can also look at the "Garden Coop" plan or the "Wichita Cabin Coop" plan.

A rule of thumb is to provide 4 sf of coop floor space and 10 sf of run space per chicken to start. You can take a look at the plans to decide how many chickens the coop/run can fit and make your design adjustment. Ignore the manufacturer's recommendation of the maximum # of chickens, they are always over optimistic.

 

[Blooie]

I will second everything she said! I've learned in my time here on BYC, if Blooie says it, bank it!!!!

I'll add, along with another post that says to ask at lumber yards, to check craigslist, both for someone who might build one for you, or someone selling a coop. I really like the 'look at buying a small storage shed' and converting it, would take very little work to build roosts, and a pop door. Nests can be anything from a milk crate, 5 gallon bucket, or prefab nests bought at a farm supply. Put an ad on craigslist yourself that you're looking for a coop or a handy man to build you one. You might even try going to your local unemployment office and letting them know you need some day labor that knows basic construction skills to build one for you.....

Speaking of farm supply, if you have a feed and seed type store around, go in and see if they have a bulletin board with business cards, or 'for sale' items. I'd also ask them if they know anyone around who builds and sells coops.

Whoa, Papa! No pressure here! Thanks for the kind words.....but now I gotta try to live up to them!

Checking feed store bulletin boards is a great idea! I never even thought of that! I'll remember that next time the question comes up, too - unless you beat me to it!

 

[21hens-incharge]

LOL Great now that is one more place DH will be trying to keep me away from. I can hear it now "NO. No checking the bulletin boards. You will end up with even MORE chickens or rabbits or a goat or something."