Root and Roost Coop: Experience?

[Rosemaryandthyme]

Hi - I am extremely new to the chicken world and would like to start a flock in 2025. I have been researching coops for a while and I have been focused on the Eglu Pro. For context, I live in Reno, Nevada - our summers are hot and dry and our winters are "mild" usually between 20-30s F. After looking at discussion posts here, I saw a lot of negative reviews about the Eglu coop, especially when it comes to ventilation (I think this may be updated in the Pro?) and even predator protection. I need something that is easily accessible to clean and am not opposed to deep litter method as long as the coop doesn't get completely covered in poo - that's why I was considering the Eglu. I've gotten ads for the Root and Roost coops. Does anyone have experience with these? I am at a loss as to what kind of coop to get. I need something that won't break down if I am going to spend a hefty amount of money on it. HELP

 

[nuthatched]

Buy a shed and convert it if you want a coop like those, it will be much cheaper and better.

Both of those brands are waaay too small for what amount of birds they say they can fit.
The root and roost website has misinformation and errors.

 

[Rosemaryandthyme]

Buy a shed and convert it if you want a coop like those, it will be much cheaper and better.

Both of those brands are waaay too small for what amount of birds they say they can fit.
The root and roost website has misinformation and errors.

Do you have experience with the coop, though? What type of misinformation and errors?

 

[nuthatched]

Do you have experience with the coop, though? What type of misinformation and errors?

No, I don't but from the specs and price, I wouldn't be interested. They look nice, but for a third of the birds they say, but the price is ridiculous. You can buy a small shed and gazebo/carport to build something similar for much, much less than these.




This is false, there are many places in NA that are chicken would not be comfortable or succumb in, especially in a coop like that. The 'learn more about chickens' button only takes you to their coop delivery system.
The next to last cheapest coop is the backyard xl coop, the dimensions are: 8x5 feet, states it can hold 8 birds, for $1,600 on sale.
An 8 x 5 space for 8 birds is 4.3 square feet per bird, better than eglu (who uses egg industry standards) but not by much. 4.3 feet per bird is about a third of the space they should have to help prevent social issues, egg eating, respiratory issues etc.
The ventilation is great with the side windows, but they weren't designed to prevent winds from blowing on the birds or with their high roosting instincts in mind.
I can give you more help tomorrow, It was a long day at work and I'm pooped. gnight!

 

[Rosemaryandthyme]

No, I don't but from the specs and price, I wouldn't be interested. They look nice, but for a third of the birds they say, but the price is ridiculous. You can buy a small shed and gazebo/carport to build something similar for much, much less than these.


View attachment 4009983View attachment 4009984

This is false, there are many places in NA that are chicken would not be comfortable or succumb in, especially in a coop like that. The 'learn more about chickens' button only takes you to their coop delivery system.
The next to last cheapest coop is the backyard xl coop, the dimensions are: 8x5 feet, states it can hold 8 birds, for $1,600 on sale.
An 8 x 5 space for 8 birds is 4.3 square feet per bird, better than eglu (who uses egg industry standards) but not by much. 4.3 feet per bird is about a third of the space they should have to help prevent social issues, egg eating, respiratory issues etc.
The ventilation is great with the side windows, but they weren't designed to prevent winds from blowing on the birds or with their high roosting instincts in mind.
I can give you more help tomorrow, It was a long day at work and I'm pooped. gnight!

I need something prefabricated. I don’t have the skills to adequately convert a shed. The other tips on the size are very helpful. I’m not planning to start with more than six chickens

 

[rosemarythyme]

First off, nice user name.

I have an old coop similar to the "starter coop" by that same company, before they rebranded. It's not a bad coop (I still have parts of it that I use 8 years later) but definitely was not cheap, plus all the coops will require the addition of an actual run or free ranging full time if you plan on putting anywhere near the recommended number of birds in it.

You can see my old coop at the right. At left is the shed I ordered once I decided to expand beyond 4 birds.

 

[nuthatched]

I need something prefabricated. I don’t have the skills to adequately convert a shed. The other tips on the size are very helpful. I’m not planning to start with more than six chickens

Ok, then I would definitely find a build plan from the coop section and hiring someone to build it, it will be better all points around. :]

 

[Rosemaryandthyme]

First off, nice user name.

I have an old coop similar to the "starter coop" by that same company, before they rebranded. It's not a bad coop (I still have parts of it that I use 8 years later) but definitely was not cheap, plus all the coops will require the addition of an actual run or free ranging full time if you plan on putting anywhere near the recommended number of birds in it.

You can see my old coop at the right. At left is the shed I ordered once I decided to expand beyond 4 birds.

View attachment 4009991

Is that a Tuff Shed?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is that a Tuff Shed?

No, I had a local shed company custom build to order. Same with the run, had a fencing company come install it. Always an option if you're like me and don't feel comfortable with building the set up yourself.

 

[paintedChix]

You might want to consider a type of open air coop in you hot environment or a hooped coop.

You can also utilize dog kennels - for part of the coop as well as the run.

There are many designs here on BYC in the coops section. Some are shown in the tractor section.

Some links to ideas -

Aart's Hoop Coop (SW MI)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/

Motel Chicks (Blooie- WY)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/motel-chix.67240/

Ms Biddy's CP Hoop Coop - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ms-biddys-cattle-panel-hoop-coop.73755/

NC Open air coop (3killerBs- NC) https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/large-open-air-coop-in-central-nc.1443812

Hot weather climate - 3KillerBs
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

Texas open air
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/

There are others...

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Phone being weird, posted then started to add Edit & weird again & lost edit...

The CP hooped coops are relatively easy to build youself w/ no experience in building.

An example - I built a small, 4x8' CP coop in 2018 that I free ranged a breeding group of birds from. I used Blooie's idea - setting w/ t-posts. I repurposed 3 wood pallets for the back & front.



The "bottle wall was temporary. Replaced w/ 2x4" wire over pallets & opening.

Now, I'm expanding the size to 8x10' - using a 2nd panel & raising it up to get 2' extra in width. The added 2' in height will also be CP, slightly different & smaller HWC then 2x4" wire over the top of the arch. The front of the "new" coop will be repurposed dog kennel panels originally from TSC. I will be putting HWC on it for predator protection. I will be doing a wire apron & an attached run 10x16' to start. Will be able to expand run... I hope to do an article on it - it's taken "forever" to get to this point. Not helped by breaking my ankle in February & just now starting to get around outside...

At this time, I use tarps over my hooped coops. Upgrading from what used previously to either heavy duty canvas or billboard vinyl.

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Edit to add some pics