Why are coop plans so expensive?

[Alley]

Hi all,
I was just wondering why people charge so... much for coop plans? Why are plans so... top secret? I just can't believe that some plans cost as much as $30.00 per plan! What's up with that? I'm looking to buy plans and when I do I will share my plans without cost to anyone who wants them! Isn't it about the love of having chickens and not the profit of the plans? I love my girls and want to provide them with a safe, secure coop but I don't want to pay a fortune to get them. I would rather spend the money on providing them with a safe, secure coop that I know preditors can't intrude!

Just a thought... can't we share plans without charging an arm and a leg?

 

[Marlinchaser]

it depends where you are getting the plans, if you are buying just a set of plans, detailed blueprints, exact directions list of materials etc.... then 30 may not be excessive.

However if you have some building skills, you can check out a book from the Library, and adapt them to what you want.

 

[jvls1942]

I do not know what plans you are referring to..

but I may be able to shed a little light on this subject ..

plans vs ideas

I am a retired building contractor..

here is the deal.. If someone is offering a description of what they built with or without photos..,,those are not plans..good for ideas,,but not worth paying for.

on the other hand,,,,,if someone is offering a list of materials, all the cut lengths of framing lumber and where and how the pieces go together.. that is a plan.. worth something.. It took someone's time and effort to put something like that together..

some people need specific plans..
some do not.. I can build you a complete house without any drawings if you just tell me what you want.. I am not bragging, just stating a fact.. I was a builder for 40 years..

 

[Chicken Woman]

Go to the library and get books on building sheds or play houses.

 

[tackyrama]

Quote:
I agree with jvls. Just look what I built with NO plans. Just what I planned in my head.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=14471-coop-layout

Some very bright people just cannot do anything without first planning it out to the last Nth. Nothing wrong with that. I might suggest you take a good look around BYC and you might just come up with more ideas than you can use.

 

[Steve]

I am also a building contractor (not retired yet though) and jvls1942 "nailed" it.....excuse the pun.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Many of the so called "coop" plans I see are nothing more than shed, pen, or doghouse plans with annotations on where to put the nest boxes, feeders, and waterers. If you have a general idea of what you want, a book on building sheds or doghouses will get you started.

I have seen some plans advertised that are undoubtedly chicken coops. Aviary is perhaps a better term. These are the ones with a roof over an elevated nest box and pen. If drawn up well, with a good materials and cutting list, I could see those sort of plans being worth something. There is a well advertised plan set out there for one of these, but I have heard several people complain that they felt the plans were lacking and were more of an "idea" than plans to build from.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
I agree with jvls. Just look what I built with NO plans. Just what I planned in my head.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=14471-coop-layout

Some very bright people just cannot do anything without first planning it out to the last Nth. Nothing wrong with that. I might suggest you take a good look around BYC and you might just come up with more ideas than you can use.

I checked out your photos..great job..

my bride (of 46 years) is after me to add on to our main chicken coop

I would much rather build a whole new larger coop.. I have three coops already.. two of them are just enclosed lean-to shelters pasted onto the side and rear of the garage/shop.. the main coop is 12 x 16.. and fully insulated..with electricity..

I think I have just enough room between the house and the out buildings to squeeze in a nice sized coop.. I have lots of lumber for framing.. etc.

I was going to take it easy this summer,, no projects.. now you got me thinking.. thanks a lot !!

 

[TaLani]

 

[tackyrama]

Quote:
I agree with jvls. Just look what I built with NO plans. Just what I planned in my head.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=14471-coop-layout

Some very bright people just cannot do anything without first planning it out to the last Nth. Nothing wrong with that. I might suggest you take a good look around BYC and you might just come up with more ideas than you can use.

I checked out your photos..great job..


I was going to take it easy this summer,, no projects.. now you got me thinking.. thanks a lot !!

Sorry!