Good chicken coop for 10 or more chickens

[Jesus loves me]

Hi, was wondering if you had any recommendations for a good chicken coop for 10+ chickens. I am planning on getting a flock of 8 or 10 chickens in the spring and was starting to look for a good, insolated chicken coop. I was looking at the OverEz brand of chicken coops but didn't know if there was one that was a little more reasonable or better. Thank you!!

 

[nuthatched]

Any prefab is going to be a waste of money. They're overpriced, poorly built and too small.
You can find a shed and convert it or build one.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/medium-coops.19/

 

[WingItRanch]

Agreed. The coops sold commercially will state they can old 6-8 chickens or whatever number they throw out but it's usually a lie. They typically do not provide enough ventilation and space. They also typically fall apart quickly.

I know it's a lot of work but building your own or converting a shed is the way to go if you want any more than just 3-4 chickens. There are some really great shared designs on this site!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Agreed on a shed. As a rough calculation figure (per hen) 4 sq ft of floor space, 1 linear ft of roost, 1-3 sq ft of ventilation open 24/7, and 1 nest box per 3-4 birds.

My coop is 6x10, so that's an appropriate size for a flock of 12 standard hens in a moderate climate (my nests are internal and floor level and thus eat up floor space, otherwise the coop could be a little smaller and still hold 12).

 

[tlcmurphy]

If you do decide to buy a prefab (I did), divide the number of chickens they say will fit by 2, then use that as the MAX number you should put in the coop

 

[Jesus loves me]

Any prefab is going to be a waste of money. They're overpriced, poorly built and too small.
You can find a shed and convert it or build one.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/medium-coops.19/

Thank you, this is very helpful

 

[Jesus loves me]

If you do decide to buy a prefab (I did), divide the number of chickens they say will fit by 2, then use that as the MAX number you should put in the coop

Thank you!!

 

[Jesus loves me]

Agreed on a shed. As a rough calculation figure (per hen) 4 sq ft of floor space, 1 linear ft of roost, 1-3 sq ft of ventilation open 24/7, and 1 nest box per 3-4 birds.

My coop is 6x10, so that's an appropriate size for a flock of 12 standard hens in a moderate climate (my nests are internal and floor level and thus eat up floor space, otherwise the coop could be a little smaller and still hold 12).

Thank you!!

 

[Jesus loves me]

Agreed. The coops sold commercially will state they can old 6-8 chickens or whatever number they throw out but it's usually a lie. They typically do not provide enough ventilation and space. They also typically fall apart quickly.

I know it's a lot of work but building your own or converting a shed is the way to go if you want any more than just 3-4 chickens. There are some really great shared designs on this site!

Agreed, Thank you!

 

[Jesus loves me]

Also, do you have any good recommendations for good free ranging chickens that are good around kids and docile? I was looking at Buff Orpingtons, Cochins, Wyandotte's, Brahmas? Thank you