Is this coop worthless??

[thistlewick]

I bought TWO tractors (from a local small business, so at least I supported them??) before realizing I wanted a walk-in shed.

literally the best option is a walk-in shed

listen to all the people saying check around for second-hand ones to get (new, they are around 3k and up) I wish I thought about that!!

I've spent a *ridiculous* amount of money I will never, ever, make back lolol

But oh my godddd the absolute JOY of keeping chickens. Priceless

 

[Linda359]

I think it is a good size for 5 chickens. I built one similar. The roosts are ok inside, and you have a pull out drawer to get rid of the poops.
Mine started out as a tractor and was too heavy to move. I put 1/2”x 1/2” mesh across bottom to keep coons etc out. Then we raised it up on concrete 4x4 BASES one in each corner.
We put a heat lamp in the corner for winter and covered the open mesh areas with a tarp and did deep litter method to help keep them warm through winter and pull out when warmer, but I always had a partial tarp over the mesh area of the run, if it rains, leaving the sides open for air flow. We also put hay under the coop to help keep them warm. I only used either hay or large pine shavings for nesting. Mites like straw so I don’t use. Later I put some roosts down below in the run area summer they sleep there .
We also put a chicken run around the coop with other fencing and did a perimeter electric wire.
I had neighbor dogs kill my first 5 chickens.
Also wait to let them out until noon to free range, then the hawks are usually full with mice and rodents. We learned the hard way! Still learning, like most people here. Best of luck!

 

[paintedChix]

I read it all before commenting! Some would be proud, LOL.

Welcome to the BYC community!! Wave, wave, wave!!

I couldn't sleep, have the flu but fever broke. This is LONG & loaded w/ pics. Grab a cuppa' whatever you like & enjoy!

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1st - what state are you in? What type of weather do you get?

2nd - do you live in town? An HOA? How big is your yard?

3rd - do you have requirements? Distance from fences/neighbor's yards? Height restrictions? Appearance rules? Some sheds have to be permitted & on a foundation, based on size. A run might be limited in size. Materials are specified in some developments even w/o HOA.

4 - do you want a walk in or do you think you'd prefer one w/ a raised floor that your girls can go under? Have you looked through any of the designs in the coops section of BYC to get a "feel" for what you want?

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For $280, you can get a great start on DIY coop & run. I am into reuse, repurpose & recycle. Even w/ the higher costs now, you can find used dog kennels, fencing, lumber & posts. There are sales coming up (Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day) & military/other discounts.

I'm not sure, for a new chicken keeper, that you want to get a used chicken coop & clean it up. I myself have had issues w/ that - w/ rabbits & chickens. Buyer beware is best advise.

Anybody that has read my posts, knows I LOVE my DIY, CP hoop coops. Many on this BYC site - loads of different styles & roof types! Some are slick & beautiful, others appear more hick/country or by some, even trashy (some of mine). Most are built as movable tractors but they can also be put on posts, raised wooden frame, hooped over dog kennels or combined w/ wood or plastic pallets (free or lower cost). Utilizing a frame that raises them allows for them to be hooped a bit wider (10' vs regular 8') - giving extra floor/ground space. I don't think I'd go wider than 10', as then the hoop can lose structural integrity & will require framework for support (build time, extra cost).

While you are deciding what type of coop you want, a single hooped CP will provide 10'/bird floor space for 3 chickens(8×4=32÷10=3.2 birds). You have room for a feeder, waterer, roosts & you can walk in. Raise it up approx 18-24" & you could spread it to 10' wide (10×4=40. 4 chickens). If you decide that a CP hoop coop isn't for you - for whatever reason - you can repurpose or sell the wire. If you like it, you can add more panels to actually build out true run space.

Some of ours. The 1st 3 pics of "sheds" were temporary. Not wired for chickens, no chickens in them. Pallets cost $2/ea in 2008, used, true 48"×48". I STILL have most of these pallets (some have rotted where on the ground). The ground was level. Put up in one day in late Oct at temporary, leased quarters for Shetland ponies & 2 horses. Haystring attached pallets & hoops, attached tarp.
Disassembled in late January, when last ponies moved to our property. If wired for chickens, it would work well. I don't remember exact width - it may have been 10'.



The next ones are also sheds. If I had known they would last & become permanent, I would have used wood or metal ties instead of haystring. I would have put them up on cinderblock foundation, to prevent rot from wet ground. The mares shed still has original tarp from 2015 & original haystring. Both need replaced now. The gelding pasture one is out in the open. Between Jan 2015 & Apr 2021, it has had 3 tarps - 2 used & 1 new medium duty. No tarp now, no ponies in pasture since April 2021. Hoops still held by haystring.



Actually tractors. Became stationary. Treated wood bases rotting out in 2021, plan to refurbish all 3. Will be using dog kennel fronts - no wood framing. The gate panel will be positioned so gate side is attached to other 5' panel. Gate will be just off center. Still haven't decided on how will be doing backs... May do all 3 different. I have chicks ordered, refurbishing starting in March.




Here are 2 single CP hoops. They are set to posts. Didn't do runs, used free range & then temp fencing. To use now, the pallets need to be replaced (rotted, all different sizes). New coyote pack is staying out of neighbor's traps & shooting ranges. Will need protected run w/ predator apron as well. Can no longer free range - both flocks free-ranging from these 2 coops - coyote or dog got them in Jan 2019, days after pic of flock while i was at work. The Lavender Orps did OK. Sold before going to MT - Apr through July 2021. The bottle walls were temporary until I got 2x4 wire up. No new pics. When redo these, they will have 1/2×1/2" HWC, on bottom half & 2x4 wire over top of hoop (already installed). May go with plastic pallets - preferred at this point - $3-25/ea depending on size, condition, color & distance. Right now, best price in SC, but I can't make that drive at this time w/ truck & trailer.




When we moved in, the back backyard had 4 approx 8x10' pens. 1 had no cover at all; 2 had rusted, mangled 2x4 wire & the 4th had tin over the mangled, rusted 2x4 wire. I used the 2,3 & 4 pen as they were until 2018. They were about 4' tall - killer on the back to add in/take out litter, feed & water. Then hooped pen 1. Did not put wire on CP (birds would get out). Also learned that 2x4 wire doesn't hold 3-1/2 month old 55 Flowery Hen chicks. They zip right through... Since we had to go to MT for mom's funeral, part of wire was covered by tin & rest by feed bags strung up w/ hay string. 1st pic shows 55s while stringing up the feed bags day before we left. 2nd shows pen 1 & 2 after got home & now have pen 2 hooped & tarped as well. Next 2 pics actually show what we started with. Last 2 pics show 10x10 dog kennel hooped for dogs.



Suppose that's long enough. I'm posting & will check what else has been posted. I may do another w/ links for you...

Dealing w/ broken leg, not working & having the flu means I am pecking out longer posts. Hope you are not offended.

 

[Vicker]

Besides the inaccurate sizing specs, many pre-fabbed coops need extra reinforcement against the weather and predators. I remember seeing a picture showing where the family dog chewed right through a leg support in no time at all.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Good instincts.
It can hold one bird, exactly.
It's a cheaply made, undersized and not made by anyone who knows anything about chickens.

Agree


But please do not feel bad about your mistake, there are ways to renovate it and other coop options out there that you can build yourself if you'd like. There are some good pallet coop designs on YouTube, they seem farely simple (even simple enough for me to make!)

 

[paintedChix]

There are some good pallet coop designs on YouTube, they seem farely simple (even simple enough for me to make!)

There are some pallet builds in the coops section of BYC.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

There are some pallet builds in the coops section of BYC.

Oh that's so cool, I didn't think to look there lol!

 

[MableGertyDillys]

I wish I'd known about this forum before I bought my wooden carbuncle. The attached run was impossible to clean out and two weeks later, it was dismantled and thrown. I bought a cheap walk-in enclosure and am still using the coop section for now, as my three girls like it. But when starts falling apart, I'm going to invest in something a bit more durable. I'm still on a steep learning curve. Very helpful discussion, thanks!

 

[ChookaPete]

Yes it is worthless.


If you want something pre-fabricated, a walk-in tall shed is better. That way you have the secure structure, then can put in your own roosts and nesting boxes, ventilation etc.