After seeing what’s on the market I decided to build my own . I almost bought one but found they are not what I want for the chickens I’m gonna raise. Thanks for the info .
I agree there are far too small for what they say will fit in there. They usually say six chickens for our area but it’s really only good for one or two probably two chickens at the most I use 22 of my small coops for one for Brady and one for maternity, then they have the big house that they all live in which is well ventilated and yes, I agree the roof should be wider than what they put in those little coops, definitely fact we’ve built better ones in my coop so that when they are broody or in the maternity, they have a better roasting area. The reason I use the maternity is when they have the chicks they like to sit in the nest and this way they can get to the food and water without the other chickens, bothering them.thank you for sharing. 🐓NonnaGrace🐓💕
I've also used them as broody coops and they're pretty decent for that. I've made some DIY broody hen coops now but actually those cheap coops cost less than making it yourself usually! Sounds like you've found a setup that works for you 😀
We had a good time building our chicken coup and run. Sometimes, you can find used wood materials at a good price or from a lumber yard which is what we did for most of our building. That was the best way to go because you can make your own design for the coup. Thank You for sharing!
We bought one many months before getting our first chicks, with a tiny run I call “the courtyard” downstairs. I chose it for the 4 big roomy nest boxes… when there’s not even space for 4 full hens to sleep on the roost area. What a joke, but it was always just temporary for chicks to grow up and learn in, which it works for that purpose. If the nestboxes are used for sleeping in for those birds who prefer to dogpile and not use roostbars(silkies seem to usually) could make it more of a fit for some flocks. It actually got blown away and broken in a storm the first month or so, too damaged to really move it now without needing a full rebuild. We put one of the fenced in dog runs around it for a coopyard(but they get to free range all day) and the adult chickens like to sleep on the ROOF of that little coop instead. They just use it to go lay eggs in and raise babies mostly. This reminds me so much of the things sold and market to rabbits that are just unsafe and unhealthy for them. Yet they keep selling because thats the option always shown to people who really want to do their best for an animal. They need a lot more space too. So sad!
Oh yes the nestboxes.... so many nestboxes when you only really need 1 for the number of hens that could fit in those things! I also had one with a run, which I got intending to turn the entire structure in the coop area. That sort-of worked, but ultimately it was such bad quality and not fit for purpose that I rehomed it to someone who wanted to use it as a guinea pig hutch. I did raise some chicks in it, and the youngsters used it for sleeping until they could make it into the trees! I'm glad you found a way to use it anyway though, and yeah I hear a lot of people say that their chickens like to sleep on the roof!
Totally agree! They honestly should be illegal as they lead to the average person imprisoning the poor chickens in a very cruel way. Also many have absolutely no ventilation at all. I feel for so many backyard chickens.
Yes i've research a bit before getting my chicks and adjusted to their needs and i also secured it with a 2 ft skirt of hardware cloth around the run to prevent digging from preds
I like to use branches from a tree about the same size of your board for perches but I do smooth the rough spots. Maybe I can coat them? You are absolutely correct to say those little coops are inadequate for even one chicken unless it is a tiny little bantam. I also like that you point out the importance of ventilation. In our climate here Missouri (USA) we often get well below freezing (-10F/-24C) and the higher the condensation the more risk of frostbite and ventilation reduces condensation.
Tree branches are a great choice, if I was building another coop I'd definitely try to find some branches to fit. Ventilation is so important in cold climates, here in New Zealand it doesn't really get all that cold so a standard chicken coop has one half wall completely open with wire mesh. That provides lots of ventilation but also probably let's it get too cold for harsher climates. Coop ventilation can be an art form!
What are your experiences with the mass produced cheap chicken coops?
I purchased one and the wood was so soft I pretty much destroyed it by just putting it together 😂😂😂
After seeing what’s on the market I decided to build my own . I almost bought one but found they are not what I want for the chickens I’m gonna raise. Thanks for the info .
Awesome you built your own and wise. Thanks so much for watching!
I agree there are far too small for what they say will fit in there. They usually say six chickens for our area but it’s really only good for one or two probably two chickens at the most I use 22 of my small coops for one for Brady and one for maternity, then they have the big house that they all live in which is well ventilated and yes, I agree the roof should be wider than what they put in those little coops, definitely fact we’ve built better ones in my coop so that when they are broody or in the maternity, they have a better roasting area. The reason I use the maternity is when they have the chicks they like to sit in the nest and this way they can get to the food and water without the other chickens, bothering them.thank you for sharing. 🐓NonnaGrace🐓💕
I've also used them as broody coops and they're pretty decent for that. I've made some DIY broody hen coops now but actually those cheap coops cost less than making it yourself usually! Sounds like you've found a setup that works for you 😀
You are so right! I feel for chickens that have to live in those so called coops and runs! Not a good life for them.
No it really isn't, and people think it's ok because the manufacturers say it is. I really wish those coops weren't sold at all!
@@onceuponafarmnz me too!!!
They are made of the cheapest possible material and fall apart within a year. Not good for the girls.
We had a good time building our chicken coup and run. Sometimes, you can find used wood materials at a good price or from a lumber yard which is what we did for most of our building. That was the best way to go because you can make your own design for the coup. Thank You for sharing!
Totally agree! Now if only I could build anything....! Thanks for watching!
@onceuponafarmnz You can do it, it just takes time and practice. I have faith that you can get it done. Have a great day!
We bought one many months before getting our first chicks, with a tiny run I call “the courtyard” downstairs. I chose it for the 4 big roomy nest boxes… when there’s not even space for 4 full hens to sleep on the roost area. What a joke, but it was always just temporary for chicks to grow up and learn in, which it works for that purpose. If the nestboxes are used for sleeping in for those birds who prefer to dogpile and not use roostbars(silkies seem to usually) could make it more of a fit for some flocks.
It actually got blown away and broken in a storm the first month or so, too damaged to really move it now without needing a full rebuild. We put one of the fenced in dog runs around it for a coopyard(but they get to free range all day) and the adult chickens like to sleep on the ROOF of that little coop instead. They just use it to go lay eggs in and raise babies mostly.
This reminds me so much of the things sold and market to rabbits that are just unsafe and unhealthy for them. Yet they keep selling because thats the option always shown to people who really want to do their best for an animal. They need a lot more space too. So sad!
Oh yes the nestboxes.... so many nestboxes when you only really need 1 for the number of hens that could fit in those things! I also had one with a run, which I got intending to turn the entire structure in the coop area. That sort-of worked, but ultimately it was such bad quality and not fit for purpose that I rehomed it to someone who wanted to use it as a guinea pig hutch. I did raise some chicks in it, and the youngsters used it for sleeping until they could make it into the trees!
I'm glad you found a way to use it anyway though, and yeah I hear a lot of people say that their chickens like to sleep on the roof!
Totally agree! They honestly should be illegal as they lead to the average person imprisoning the poor chickens in a very cruel way. Also many have absolutely no ventilation at all. I feel for so many backyard chickens.
Yes the ventilation is awful in most of them. I wish they just wouldn't be sold anymore. Thanks for watching 😀
Bought one with the run but i built my own run 12 ft by 15 ft and a bit over 5 ft high for my six girls
Sounds like you made some good adjustments to the base coop 😀
Yes i've research a bit before getting my chicks and adjusted to their needs and i also secured it with a 2 ft skirt of hardware cloth around the run to prevent digging from preds
I like to use branches from a tree about the same size of your board for perches but I do smooth the rough spots. Maybe I can coat them?
You are absolutely correct to say those little coops are inadequate for even one chicken unless it is a tiny little bantam. I also like that you point out the importance of ventilation. In our climate here Missouri (USA) we often get well below freezing (-10F/-24C) and the higher the condensation the more risk of frostbite and ventilation reduces condensation.
Tree branches are a great choice, if I was building another coop I'd definitely try to find some branches to fit. Ventilation is so important in cold climates, here in New Zealand it doesn't really get all that cold so a standard chicken coop has one half wall completely open with wire mesh. That provides lots of ventilation but also probably let's it get too cold for harsher climates. Coop ventilation can be an art form!