Cedar chicken coop made in wisconsin? any one buy one of these??

[Chad the Chicken Man]

Im looking at getting back into raising chickens. "just when you think your out... They pull you back in." but this time im thinking about buying a coop rather then building one like i did last time. I moved close to town where i have neighbors now, so i dont want a big giant coop or an eye sore in the back yard. i live outside of madison wi, and i found a web site called cedarchickencoop.com and im thinking about the 5x8 cedar coop. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these or if you guys think they are nice coops. the winter get cold here and i dont belieave they insulated. and i see theres a large ventilation in front for the summer but what about ventilation for the winter? i hope i can get some input from you guys.
Thanks
Chad

 

[Chad the Chicken Man]

ok thanks anyways...

 

[MissusC]

Sorry, no experience but they look nice.

 

[yo burrill]

They do look like a nice back yard coop for just a few birds.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Never bought, used or even seen one like that. But it looks to be one of the better store bought coops I've seen for a very small group of chickens. I personally wouldn't keep more than four hens or a trio of standard sized chickens in it, but otherwise looks pretty good.

The flaws....

Chicken wire sides. Useless against predators. I'd much prefer welded wire or hardware cloth myself.
And the winterizing option is totally not needed, chickens don't need to be totally enclosed nor insulated. I'd leave that top flap on the inside open year 'round myself for ventilation.

All in all - looks pretty good for what it is.

 

[Chad the Chicken Man]

mississippifarmboy, I was only planning on keeping 4 chickens, we live in town now and thought 4 chickens would be perfect. They do have the option of chicken wire or hardware cloth. I do live in wisconsin and dont know if you would be able to keep that vent open year round around here. it gets pretty cold. if you watched the video, theres "storage" above the coop inside the run. and i was thinking maybe a guy could just make better ventilation there since its covered by the roof and no threat of rain coming in.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

mississippifarmboy, I was only planning on keeping 4 chickens, we live in town now and thought 4 chickens would be perfect. They do have the option of chicken wire or hardware cloth. I do live in wisconsin and dont know if you would be able to keep that vent open year round around here. it gets pretty cold. if you watched the video, theres "storage" above the coop inside the run. and i was thinking maybe a guy could just make better ventilation there since its covered by the roof and no threat of rain coming in.

For four chickens it's a very good looking coop Chad. Just get the hardware cloth option and I think it'll be fine. I really like how it looks. I wouldn't mind having a few that size myself for my breeding pens. I might just have to try and build a few when I get to feeling better.

As far as the cold winters in Wisconsin, it's still a matter of personal choices. Chickens are raised even in Alaska and northern Canada with no insulation and lots of ventilation in the coops (There's a thread here on BYC somewhere on that very thing), The thing about ventilation is that they need to be able to get rid of the moist air. Chickens can take the cold, just not moisture and condensation build up in cold climates. The ventilation versus drafts thing seems pretty complicated to most people but it really can be simple. Put ventilation up high to let the heated moist air rise and escape. Cold air blowing on your birds is a draft and should be avoided.

I lived in northwest Montana for a while and my coop there wasn't near as nice as this one and my birds done fine. I would suggest picking small combed, well feathered birds in the north though.

Good luck and be sure and post some pictures if and when you get it and get it set up.

 

[Chad the Chicken Man]

thanks mississippi, I did send the guy and email and was asking if he would be willing to sell me the plans to build my own. There a pretty penny at $1350.00. hopefully i will hear back soon. if anyone knows of any nice tractor plans please let me know. thanks again.

 

[Gargoyle]

I've read here on BYC that cedar chips are not good for chickens (they could eat them and apparently the oil on them is poison). What about cedar wood siding? I'd guess that the chicks would ingest so little, even if they peck and scratch at the walls, that it wouldn't be a problem. However, my guess isn't worth anything, so I hope someone who actually knows what they're talking about will chip in.

 

[Chad the Chicken Man]

Thanks your imput gargoyle.