Biy or DIY coop

Freds · Apr 25, 2005

I've been throwing this around on a couple chicken forums and I would like some input from the folks here. It's getting closes to crunch time and I need to make an informed decision.
I want to get some chickens. I need a coop. I would prefer the coop be "nice looking" right off the bat, since it would be in full view, so... should I buy a garden shed or build one myself?
Things running through my mind are: The shed I'm looking at at H-D is $500. It's 8x8 with 2-6' doors in front. I would have to add my own shingles (I have some metal roofing left over from another project) and the floor. Besides adding a droppings pit, perches and nest boxes, I would have to add windows, vents, some better placed access doors and I would like a couple small chicken doors to open into two yard areas. In other words, I have a lot of modifying to do before it's how I want it.

On the other hand, I can build things, but I'm not a carpenter. The coop would go up faster and look nicer needing only a coat of paint to start out. I could add the chicks to it more quickly and do my modifying at a more leisurely pace, since the building would already be in place and sealed up from predators.

I don't know enough about building to price out the materials piece by piece to know if I'm actually saving anything other than time by buying a kit. I'm assuming you save money on materials. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Could I have your input on this?

Thank you much.

ALBALD1 · Apr 25, 2005

you can probly go to the lumber dept in the h-d or lowes & they will build your bldg on the computr & give you a material list. then chk prices. I don't think you save much buying the kit, but everything is precut. I think you could build a little heavier duty for about the same money doing it yourself. just a matter of which you prefer. I would suggest you build as big as possilble though. most people who start out getting chickens seem to want more after they get started. i bought 6 last year at this time & just got 10 more about a month ago. go to http://pub228.ezboard.com/bbackyardchickens for a lot of good info. there is a whole section on coop design. read a lot b4 doing anything. it's not complicated, but little things take a lot of the maintenance work out of it.

Freds · Apr 26, 2005

Thanks, I didn't know they could do that. I'll see how my design compares with their kit in price and go from there.
The kit certainly isn't very heavy duty with only one 2x3 on the back wall opposite the door, but by the time I add the droppings pit and other stuff it will be reinforced.
Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to think nobody here knew anything about coops or sheds /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

EastTexFrank · Apr 26, 2005

( I was beginning to think nobody here knew anything about coops or sheds )

What !!!!!! Are you kidding. The people here know everything about everything. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

There was a discussion about chicken tractors or arks a short time ago. Do a search and see what you turn up.

I'm in the same position as you. I'm toying with the idea of getting a few chickens if I can overcome resistence from "she who must be obeyed". I'm still playing with the coop plans but I'll get it done this summer probably.

Since you've already started your research, you've probably run across this website but if not, it'll give you some ideas.

The City Chicken

I would have thought, depending on how many chickens you want to keep, that it would have been quicker and cheaper to custom make one to your own specifications rather than modify a garden shed, if you can find a design that you like.

NoTrespassing · Apr 26, 2005

This looks like an awesome coop design. I really want to make one myself. They claim the materials cost $250 but I would at least double that estimate. I have a subscription to Backwoodshome magazine but most of the info is available on the net.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ainsworth71.html
Kevin

Freds · Apr 26, 2005

Thanks for the additional links, guys, I hadn't run across those yet.
That IS an awesome looking little coop, Kevin.

I'm not sure when I'll make it back to H-D again, but I will be looking at material costs closely. I need something with a little size to it since mail order chicks are sold at 25 minimum. Looking at the material costs for that cedar shed and comparing something that's 8x8 for $500 makes the kit a little easier to swallow. I mean, it's in kit form, the materials SHOULD be cheaper, right?
8x8 isn't really big enough for 25 chickens, but half of them won't be around in 6 weeks anyway /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

( I would have thought, depending on how many chickens you want to keep, that it would have been quicker and cheaper to custom make one to your own specifications rather than modify a garden shed, if you can find a design that you like. )

Possibly, I don't know. The features I would have to add to a garden shed would need added to a custom shed anyway. Since I don't work with wood that often I don't have a clue, that's why I asked and I appreciate the input. I'll know more once I get back up to H-D.

I just know that if I have to design something myself I'll be "tweaking things" every time I get a couple nails pounded in. If I get a kit there's nothing to mess with until it's up and for the most part, funtional.

fenneran · Apr 27, 2005

I just built one two weeks ago for about $150. It is 6'X6', 7' high on one side and 5' high on the other. It is on wheels and has an open bottom. It holds 12 hens with enough room for four nesting boxes and a couple of roosts. They seem pretty happy with it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Here's a pic:

Poppa · Apr 27, 2005

Freds,

I too plan on building a coop this summer. I even have the OK from the wife so I know it is going to happen. I was too lazy to create my own plan so I bought this set of plans from McMurray Hatchery

Chicken Coop Plans

Looks fairly well thought out. The only change I plan on making is to give it a real roof and not the shed roof it shows. This is to please the wife who's only concern is that I make the coop match the house in appearance. Don't know if that speaks ill of the house or well of the proposed coop /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The plans came within days of ordering them and best of all they come with a complete materials list so all you have to do is drive to the lumber store with a checkbook. Or, you might get lucky like me. One of my neighbors was dismantling his deck and he said I could have the used lumber. Chickens are going to end up with a redwood house...maybe it will be nicer than mine.

Mike

Freds · Apr 27, 2005

Frank, I don't know how those chickens would like winters on Lake Erie in that coop, but it looks pretty nice. It looks like a fair weather coop from what I can see. My chickens will be spending winters cooped up in their coop and I need more of an enclosed version I'm pretty sure.

Mike, I hadn't run across those plans while on their site. I wish they were downloadable. That looks exactly like the style of coop I would rather have, with the single shed roof design and without the big double doors of a garden shed. Thanks, I might as well send for them and have the wood priced out. I haven't boughten the H-D shed yet.

fenneran · Apr 28, 2005

Yes, it is definitely a "fair weather" coop. In fact, I was thinking about what I'm going to do this winter when they need more shelter. I will probably convert one of the rooms in our barn as a "winter coop".