Recommendations for coops please.

[LittleB]

we're hoping to get chickens in March, so i'm currently researching coops. I've had a look at alot of the advertised companies in practical poultry and country smallholding and can see some lovely quality ones for £250 upwards, I can also see much cheaper ones on e-bay, including a rather nice looking house with a 10yr guarantee for £130. What would you go for? I'm planning on keeping 3 chickens, but want to make sure they've got plenty of room, and we might add a couple more in a couple of years, so need one with 2 nestboxes to accomaodate about 6. I'm going to build my own run, and once settled they will free-range the top of our garden. How good a quality do you go for, are the e-bay 'quality' ones ok or steer well clear? Although I like the eglus we have a traditional cottage garden and it would look very out of place, DH really doesn't like them too, so definitely looking for wood. Any advice appreciated, Thanks!

[sep1712]

We made our own (well dh did). Really cheap and you can have exactly what you want. I wouldn't worry about a run if your leaving them to roam.

[thesockmonsterofdoom]

www.flytesofancy.co.uk/ have a look here they are lovely. although i have an eglu and would thouroughly reciommend on the ease of maintenance.

[vjg13]

The wooden ones look nice but I've got an eglu too and find it great. I did get the run extension for when they are in and just have 2.

[LittleB]

Thanks sockmonster - they are alraedy on my shortlist and only made down the road from me - I'm in Somerset. Sorry although the eglus look fun, I think we'd need 2 and even second hand they are just too expensive really. Might have to look into making our own but DH isn't very DIY orientated!

[Doodle2U]

I watched a particular style on Ebay for ages before I bought our Cube from Omlet.

I don't know about quality but I loved the style and it looked about waist height, which would be easier for cleaning/mucking out.

I'll see if I can find a pic on ebay and link.

[Doodle2U]

this one

I would go for some kind of run, so that when you're not around or if you go away for the weekend, you're secure in the knowledge that the hens are in and safe.

Also, if you were unlucky and had a fox attack, you've got somewhere to keep them in for a while.

[LittleB]

Thanks, I will get a run, like you say Doodle it keeps them safe if we go away, and also while the dogs get used to them. Think I may go for an e-bay one, I like the one you mention doodle but the run looks a bit small, I'll carry on hunting.

[bronze]

All I can say is don't buy from albany pets. All I've heard is bad things about quality and service. Including their service to me. Luckily I got out

[LittleB]

Thanks for that bronze, I'll steer clear of albany then. I like the 6 hen ones that pets and gardens do with a 10yr guarantee. Think we'll go for one of them. I'd post a link but I'm not sure how!