Any reviews here for this Pawhut coop?

[Hypertay]

Please tell me if this looks like a solid house for my chickens, I really want to buy it. It is made of cedar, and I've heard some bad things about cedar and chickens. I have 3 pullets and 2 cockerels, I am going to rehome one of the roos at least.

One of the boys has started trying to crow, so they need to go outside soon! Plus the bigger they get the more they poo.

Thanks anyone! This place is great!


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...oogleMKP&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA

 

[FuzzyChicken]

Hi Hypertay. I'm a newbie so I don't pretend to know much. Just curious if this will be large enough for your current flock? Can't beat the price though? It's a nice design.

 

[Hypertay]

Yes I think it will be big enough, we are definitely going to rehome one roo and most likely the other. We promised the property owners we wouldn't have roos, they have issues with them which I understand. I was hoping one would be docile and quiet but I'm not sure that is going to be the case.

I just found some reviews online finally and most of them are positive. Thanks for your quick response.

 

[wahmommy]

I don't have this coop, but I have one that's prefab like this one. Two things that are important to know. On this model, the roost height appears to be the same as nest box height. Mine is like this and the result is that my hens sleep in the next boxes (and poop) and I have to clean them all the time to avoid poopy eggs). Also for this price I don't think this is cedar, its probably pine treated to look like cedar. On mine the other issue was that the hardware cloth was stapled, I live in predator city so I needed to go and make sure all the hardware cloth was not just stapled but also added screws and washers. Also it may be too small, many of these prefab coops state they are good for more birds than they actually are. So look at the dimensions.

 

[wahmommy]

It looks like the coop size is okay for three hens- not sure about the run size. Probably will depend on if you are letting them out during the day, using it as a tractor etc. We added a run to ours, and calculated it at 8 feet per chicken as there would be times when we would go out of town and they wouldn't be able to free range for several weeks.

 

[wahmommy]

Actually looking again, it looks like the roosts are a couple of inches above the next boxes so it may be fine. When you first put them in there, if they aren't laying yet block off the nest boxes so they get used to roosting.

 

[backyardcelia]

wahmommy, re: the equal height poop/egg box, is that why they are so tempted to hop over to there and roost? i am trying to design a lovely future coop for my ladies, and that would be something to make a note of!
i know nothing first hand, and i'm trying to make a list and check it twice rather than learn by trial and error (and chicken lives!) that being said,

re: cedar and chickens, i thought it was just the strong smell (from oil in wood) or perhaps the actual essence itself, that is too much for little chick's respiratory system(maybe old or sick chicks too? i don't know, as it did not yet apply to me! but i do love cedar mulch! so i will have to learn about it!) thus, cedar chips is a no no i've heard. we had our chicks in a cedar chook, but we aired it out for a good long time before they were in it.

on that particular item, do you know what the screening is made out of? & are those wheels/ is it a tractor too?

 

[Hypertay]

Thanks for the replies. I went ahead and ordered it and will post pics when it comes!

The site says:
Dimensions:
- Overall Size: 82 3/4" W x 35 1/2" D x 52 1/2" H (approx 7ft wide by 3ft deep and 4 1/3ft tall)
- Lower Run Area: 65" L x 25 3/4" W x 29" H (Backyard) x 17" H (approx 5 1/2ft long by 2ft wide by 2 1/2ft high in run and 1 1/2ft tall underneath coop)
- Nesting Box: 23 3/4" L x 12 1/4" W x 15 3/4" H (approx. 2 ft long by 1 ft wide by 1 1/4 ft tall) I think I am reading all of that correctly.
- Holds up to 6 - 8 Bantams or 3 - 5 standard hens

That is up to my chin about, in overall height, and I could reach all the way into it from the door without problems. I understand it is going to look like a little doll house but it looks so portable to me and I need that. It has wheels which really look flimsy but could be easily replaced. I do not know if the bottom is covered with wire, I suspect not. But that could be fixed also. I am taking advice from a review to air it out completely for a week or so before putting my babies in it. I will have a permanent spot for night time with cinderblock all around the perimeter to deter digging predators. I know there are some feral cats around here and some hawks, among other things.

wahmommy, thanks your advice is exactly what I needed. Making a shopping list now. backyardcelia, thanks and yes, I read more on the cedar issue and it is the chips and shavings that are the most dangerous. The solid wood is not and especially if it is treated which this is. I will let you know if it is everything I am hoping for!

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

Hypertay- I have this exact coop, ordered it from the company, put it together w/ hubby. Nice, I will be putting it under a "lean-to" type roof for extra protection from the elements, I also am using sand in the run & in the "clean-out" tray, Plastic bins that will fit in the "nesting" areas filled w/ straw (fro easier cleaning-just dump & refill). I am also going to add another roost bar, one that is alittle wider, so in colder weather the chooks can hunker-over their feet w/ their feathers for more protection. also on side w/out vent, going to put a small vent for more ventilation across the top of the coop. When the coop first arrived from shipping & I opened the boxes, it did have an odor(I believe it was from the weather-proofing-stain), but after a few days(was in garage), no-more smell. I also will be putting the coop/run on a concrete slab w/sand in run, also adding extra wire to the outer-perimeter/under- ground of the coop/run for added predator protection. I am starting w/ only a few LF in the spring, 4 at the most w/ this initial set-up. Eventually will add more run, who knows, maybe even more "coop", if "chicken math"

sets in..haha Have Fun & Good Luck!!

 

[Hypertay]

Thank you LittleMissPurdy! We are going shopping today for hardware cloth, washers and screws for strengthening of our little dollhouse thanks to your advice and wahmommy's too.

You all have been so helpful. I can't wait for it to get here! (more crowing attempts today if I wasn't laughing so hard I would be weeping )