Coop Suggestions?

[itsmaddiejohnson]

Hi everyone!

I am needing a new coop for my hens. Does anyone have any recommendations on pre-fabricated chicken coops? I know that most of them are too small but my hens would only be sleeping there at night. When the sun comes out, they get to free range around my yard and it's pretty spacious.

I am not handy in any way so I won't be able to build the nice, big coops myself. Or a possible solution is if you know of VERY simple coop idea plans that I might be capable of building. But please keep in mind, I am not very knowledgable at building things so it would definitely have to be simple.

I am looking to get two coops, one for 4 regular-sized hens and one for 6 silkies.

Thank you for your help! I would also appreciate pictures of your coops for inspiration.

 

[springvalley123]

Well your geographic location would influence your choices. Without any help at all I doubt even a hoop coop is doable. But a panel kennel run should be. I personally put one of those together and added hardware cloth, shade cloth, and tarps, and 2x4 wire fencing for a top, and roosts. I did need help to get the 2x4 wire onto the top though. If it has to be just overnight, maybe a smaller shed would work. You can even have them built by the store that sells them, then cut ventilation and cover the ventilation windows/walls with hardware cloth.

 

[aart]

Hi everyone!

I am needing a new coop for my hens. Does anyone have any recommendations on pre-fabricated chicken coops? I know that most of them are too small but my hens would only be sleeping there at night. When the sun comes out, they get to free range around my yard and it's pretty spacious.

I am not handy in any way so I won't be able to build the nice, big coops myself. Or a possible solution is if you know of VERY simple coop idea plans that I might be capable of building. But please keep in mind, I am not very knowledgable at building things so it would definitely have to be simple.

Thank you for your help! I would also appreciate pictures of your coops for inspiration.

How many hens?

What's your budget?
Any decent prefab is going to be pretty expensive.
...and maybe of lousy design.

Lots of coops here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/

Well your geographic location would influence your choices.

Yes, indeedy!
@itsmaddiejohnson Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[itsmaddiejohnson]

Well your geographic location would influence your choices. Without any help at all I doubt even a hoop coop is doable. But a panel kennel run should be. I personally put one of those together and added hardware cloth, shade cloth, and tarps, and 2x4 wire fencing for a top, and roosts. I did need help to get the 2x4 wire onto the top though. If it has to be just overnight, maybe a smaller shed would work. You can even have them built by the store that sells them, then cut ventilation and cover the ventilation windows/walls with hardware cloth.

Thanks for the great ideas! And I am in central FL, just added my location

 

[itsmaddiejohnson]

How many hens?

What's your budget?
Any decent prefab is going to be pretty expensive.
...and maybe of lousy design.

Lots of coops here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/



Yes, indeedy!
@itsmaddiejohnson Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3247199

My max budget is $500 and I would be needing two coops, one for 4 regular-sized hens and one for 6 silkies.

And thank you for the info! I just updated my geographical location.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

In your area you should consider an Open Air style coop -- a big wire box with a 3-sided shelter on the windward end. These are easier to build than an enclosed coop and more suitable for a hot climate.

Here is my hot climate article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

And my coop ventilation article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

Hoop coops are usually considered the easiest build for people with limited DIY skills. Do you have any friends, coworkers, family members, etc. who might own tools and be willing to help you?

Other options include modifying chainlink dog kennels by adding hardware cloth to keep smaller predators out and putting up windbreak panels. I even made a less-secure coop by wrapping wire around a picnic pavilion frame and using tarps for the roof and walls. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/camp-cockerel.77789/ (If you choose this kind of setup for birds more valuable than my cull cockerels be sure to use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire and cover the roof as well as the walls).

 

[Krugerrand]

Also, check around for used structures near you.