Is a wooden coop & run really a terrible mistake? Complete novice

[zeebee]

We have been advised that wooden coops and runs only last 2-3 years. Is that really correct? Sheds and other structures last a lot longer. While we would also like plastic, the ones we have found are too expensive (£360++) which is a massive outlay when we are not sure if chicken keeping will will work.

Is something like this really that flimsy? www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/cc4000XWR.html Any ideas if this is a reputable company please? Looking at 4 chickens max. Thanks you for your thoughts.

[GandalfsOtherHat]

I have one of those, but I'm sure mine is smaller. Check the dimensions carefully, I think they include the nestbox in the overall dimensions iyswim and it makes it seem bigger than it really is. It's ok. A bit unwieldy to move but fine if you're two. I keep 4 serama hens in mine and they're ok outside all year round. I've removed the ladder as I seem to have a rat problem, they just fly op no problem. Dust liberally with diatomaceous earth, haven't had a mite problem yet. Cut and cable-ties twinwall polycarbonate panels into each panel, if that makes sense, so wind and rain proof. It sits on a frame of decking planks so the frame doesn't get wet, bed of bark chips, Hens mostly free range but if they're closed up for a day or two they're fine. It's fine to start of with, but now (almost 3 year later) I do wish that I just bit the bullet and bought and Eglu :) hth!

[zeebee]

Thanks. I get what you mean about buying an Eglu long term but this is for the DC so not convinced yet there will be a long term! I'm just not sure why the plastic ones are so £££. Don't think we will be moving it around.
Your other tips are v helpful.

[Mrsmorton]

Red mite are a fucking nightmare. I'd have a wooden coop if I knew I could pressure wash it every 6-12 months and then creosote it (although I know creosote is hard to come by). Now I fumigate them with Ardap which probably isn't very good for me but I can't get the hosepipe to them!!

I do have a coop which was a plastic storage thing and I put a perch in there and a pop hole, the plastic thing was on offer from B&Q. It's about 5 ft long and 3 ft high. Like a chest.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

They are quite flimsy. You'd be better off with a second hand coop. Or even a second hand childrens playhouse, etc. Think out the box and add perches like Mrs Merton.

Does the Ardap spray work btw? Red mites are so bad here the chickens won't go in the coop and sleep on top of it all year round!

[Shallishanti]

I have a very solid wooden coop and it has lasted well, never had any problems with red mite till last year....and then it was absolutely terrible, 4/7 died and we were fumigating in white overalls, gloves, masks...am now using the diamaeoceous earth (sp) routinely.
I think you get what you pay for really, that coop will probably not last very well.

[NewBallsPlease00]

Eglu hold their value well so much if it didn't work out you'd be able to sell on easily
We had chooks for ages, and went through same queries on pens etc glad we went down plastic route- easier to clean and rats are easier to spot .....

[Mrsmorton]

Ardap works very well, not seen a single crawly recently.

[rhetorician]

hi, we have one of these and have found it brilliant. We have the smallest one, which was a bit on the tight side for 4 chickens, but perfect for 3. We currently have 2, but hoping to get another in the spring. You can hose it down, it's easy to clean, warm, secure (we close it at night since losing latest hen to demon fox)

[Thumbcat]

There are loads of eglus on eBay. Lots go for £££ but it's possible to bide your time and get a bargain.

[Pixel]

I see there is a waterproof cover available for that coop and run you were looking at (£40, not bad). If it was protected from the worst weather I think it would be fine.
I got a wooden coop nearly four years ago because I was on a tight budget, and though it obviously isn't as easy as a plastic one would be, it's by no means a disaster. It's in a roofed and partially covered in walk-in run so it gets protection that way and is still in a fair condition. Only one infestation of red mite a couple of years ago, solved with a 'bomb' that you set off inside and then leave for a few hours. No problems since.
I try to leave the top open when it's in the sunshine as the mites hate that and I spray all the nooks with mite spray whenever I clean out. I've got a steam cleaner now so I'm going to try that this summer.
I did think that if I could afford it I'd like a plastic coop just because of the red mite prevention aspect, but according to the Flyte So Fancy website it's not unknown for plastic coops to get mites. Apparently they are prone to condensation which creates a humid atmosphere that the mites thrive in, so on balance I'm glad I saved my money.

[Saz12]

I've a wooden house, which is about 8 years old now and have never had red mite. I don't do anything special to keep it clean. I don't really get the hysteria about red mite, and hope I can continue to live in ignorance!

Just give it a good couple coats of wood preservative well before using it, and if possible prevent the base from being in contact with earth as this would be vulnerable to rot.