Chicken coop

SheriK · 06-11-2008, 10:52 AM

I went to the farm store a couple of weeks ago and got some bantam chicks. Since I go there all the time, I usually get talked into buying something

Anyway, I now have 6 chicks that are quickly growing into chickens. I have them in a box with chicken wire on it now, but need some ideas on a CHEAP way to build a coop. My hubby went online and found one for YIKES - $500 and he was actually going to order it. I nixed that since I didn't think we need a chicken palace for $1 chickens

Any ideas??

pvf · 06-11-2008, 10:56 AM

Are you going to be keeping them over the winter or just for the summer?

SheriK · 06-11-2008, 10:59 AM

I'm planning on the winter too, if that cats, coons, coyotes, etc. don't try to eat them.

pvf · 06-11-2008, 11:02 AM

Besides your barn do you have any other out buildings that you can use?
Part of a hay shed or anything will work..

Otherwise I was thinking you could use one of those storage sheds like at menards and then for the door in the summer time you could make one with the chicken wire on it so that they get air.

breburtch · 06-11-2008, 11:53 AM

Do you have an old garage or shed etc that isn't being used or needs fixing up?

greygirls · 06-11-2008, 12:06 PM

We use the old milkhouse...works great!

CountryMama · 06-11-2008, 12:36 PM

Wood Garden Shed- $500
10 7ft t-posts- $50
1 roll utility wire- $30
7 chickens-$10
Chicken feed-$20
Helping hubby put together my $580 chicken coop for my $10 chickens

-Priceless!

I love to just watch my girls strut around and do their thing and my son loves to chase them around, and around, and around.....
Financially I can't beleive I sunk this much into something that has so far produced very little in return but sentimentally they are worth it.

Even an old dog house/shed could work. As long as they have somewhere to get out of the weather and away from predators they should be fine. Good luck with them and welcome to chicken parenting...it's almost as addictive as horses!

farmergal · 06-17-2008, 01:25 AM

Let them free range once they are full grown.

Guess it depends on what kind of bantams you have. Some fair better then others. My silkies became instant dinner when they escaped.

While I have others that are still running around.

I've noticed that it doesn't matter what critter we purchase the housing is what is so expensive.

Like CountryMama said,

Quote:

Financially I can't beleive I sunk this much into something that has so far produced very little in return but sentimentally they are worth it.

SheriK · 06-25-2008, 10:25 AM

Hubby built a little coop for them last weekend. They seem pretty happy that they can run outside and if they get scared, they can run back inside. Prior to the 2x4 on the bottom of the chicken wire, my pup Blu decided a chicken for breakfast would be tastey

She spent some quality time in the barn in time out. Now she just sits and watches them.

farmergal · 06-25-2008, 01:24 PM

I love the little barn that is so adorable!!!!

This is a temporary set up right!

I mean it's very cute and all but it's not practical.

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06-11-2008, 10:52 AM
SheriK Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 819	Chicken coop I went to the farm store a couple of weeks ago and got some bantam chicks. Since I go there all the time, I usually get talked into buying something Anyway, I now have 6 chicks that are quickly growing into chickens. I have them in a box with chicken wire on it now, but need some ideas on a CHEAP way to build a coop. My hubby went online and found one for YIKES - $500 and he was actually going to order it. I nixed that since I didn't think we need a chicken palace for $1 chickens Any ideas??

06-11-2008, 10:56 AM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,469	Are you going to be keeping them over the winter or just for the summer? __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

06-11-2008, 10:59 AM
SheriK Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 819	I'm planning on the winter too, if that cats, coons, coyotes, etc. don't try to eat them.

06-11-2008, 11:02 AM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,469	Besides your barn do you have any other out buildings that you can use? Part of a hay shed or anything will work.. Otherwise I was thinking you could use one of those storage sheds like at menards and then for the door in the summer time you could make one with the chicken wire on it so that they get air. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

06-11-2008, 11:53 AM
breburtch Coming two Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 1,912	Do you have an old garage or shed etc that isn't being used or needs fixing up?

06-11-2008, 12:06 PM
greygirls Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,325	We use the old milkhouse...works great! __________________ I cannot avoid compassion for all that is called life. That is the beginning & foundation of morality. -Albert Schweitzer

06-11-2008, 12:36 PM
CountryMama Yearling Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 577	Wood Garden Shed- $500 10 7ft t-posts- $50 1 roll utility wire- $30 7 chickens-$10 Chicken feed-$20 Helping hubby put together my $580 chicken coop for my $10 chickens-Priceless! I love to just watch my girls strut around and do their thing and my son loves to chase them around, and around, and around..... Financially I can't beleive I sunk this much into something that has so far produced very little in return but sentimentally they are worth it. Even an old dog house/shed could work. As long as they have somewhere to get out of the weather and away from predators they should be fine. Good luck with them and welcome to chicken parenting...it's almost as addictive as horses! __________________ Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, sausage in one hand, beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!" --Unknown--

06-25-2008, 10:25 AM
SheriK Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 819	Hubby built a little coop for them last weekend. They seem pretty happy that they can run outside and if they get scared, they can run back inside. Prior to the 2x4 on the bottom of the chicken wire, my pup Blu decided a chicken for breakfast would be tastey She spent some quality time in the barn in time out. Now she just sits and watches them.

06-25-2008, 01:24 PM
farmergal Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,818	I love the little barn that is so adorable!!!! This is a temporary set up right! I mean it's very cute and all but it's not practical. __________________