coop advice

[janeyo]

Ok so we reeeeealy need a new coop as our existing homemade one is about to fall apart. I cannot get hold of a shed for love nor (no)money and Oh can't make another one at the mo as he is really busy with the extension. The chooks are well down his list.
I am now looking to buy one instead.

I have seen this one but it has a slatted base and thought this might be draughty for them?
Has anyone experience of these coops?

I need one really cheap that is easy to clean (ie removable bits). We have 3 girls but might be given 4 more as someone moving away and can't take them with her.

Thoughts? Thanks

Chicken Coop / Hen Chalet House with Nest Box - Model: CP070

[Flummery]

As the slats appear to be for perching on, I don't think there'll be a draught problem. Looks decent value to me. 12mm tongue and groove isn't bad. It's the ones made out of stuff like lap fencing that are insubstantial.

[janeyo]

I am inclined to agree - and the nestbox floor is solid so no draughts there.

[tlck9]

My friend bought a similar design to this, we are in a widy position and it keeps falling over - fortunately they have yet to get their chickens

but looks like they are having to look at other options

[Glutton4...]

It is a similar design and specification to the one I bought. I treated it, but it has not lasted very well, to the point that I only keep it as a spare. The perches are lower than the nest-boxes, so the birds will sleep (and poo) in the nest-boxes instead of on the perches.

For £10 more, you can buy a shed from Argos. Buy Overlap Wooden Shed 6x4ft. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

Good luck!

[Eco-Chic]

Janeyo have you tried Argos for sheds?

You searched for WOOD SHEDS - 62 results

[Eco-Chic]

Snap Glutton

[RichmondHens]

There is nothing wrong with slatted floors. It gets the chickens bums off the floor so they don't have to sit in their poo and it means that you don't have to have the hen house so tall as the slats double as perches. In our biggest house we have perches and slats (overkill I think) but later designs just have slats. We are shifting to using straight poles/branches cut from bushes/trees to use for slat perching as it's more natural for the chickens' feet - they can curl their toes around as they would if they were roosting in trees. Also being round the poo falls straight through to the floor where with a flatter man made slat I have found the poo sits on the slat and gets squished in.

The one criticism I have about the house you have chosen Janey is the fact that because it is made of tongue and groove, including the roof, there is a) a lot of places for red mite to hide, and b) you may find it lets in water through the joints, particularly the roof. However, it's difficult to judge a house from a picture alone so if you are happy with the design then go for it.

[janeyo]

I was planning to creosote it (real stuff) first.

[Eco-Chic]

Janey, The coop I have has t&g side and water has come in as it is on the prevailing wind side. I'm going to move the coop to where it will be more sheltered for the winter and I'm also going to put a corrugated plastic roof ontop of the felt roof for the winter.

[its hilly]

My mates got one..not as good as it looked. Leaks and has been very difficult to treat for mite. Also she found it a bit small cos she had 3 big but then got given 2 bantys not the coops fault but it was only one extra!
I go with eco..shed..B&Q do a £100 job too. At least you can walk in out of the weather to clean, feed and collect eggs. And a couple of sheves in the corner will hold all your chooky meds and bits too

[tlck9]

on second glance, it is very similar and they paid a similar amount. I would suggest as they have found that it ould be a starter coop to them keep as a spare.

I think yu would have ongoing reparis and maintenance with this.

Although that said my £250 ark, although solid needs ongoing things doing to it, so its catch 22

[Suechooks]

Janeyo - have a look on ebay at Shromanco. I've had 3 from him - all solid, well made and finished. One is 5 years old and still going strong. Probably not the cheapest but worth what I paid.

[Flummery]

I have one that looks similar - but cost more. It has never leaked. Mind you it's only just under a year old!

[janeyo]

whoohoo, going to look at the new girls tomorrow and might be able to have their coop as well.
)