i need to choose a coop im over thinking and need your help desperatly and quickly

[mothersmilk]

i am getting 5-6 hybrids(still undecided but prob 6 once i go back to the farm) they will have run of the garden but need a good run incase we are out or go away i like both of these but cant decide please help

1. cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280636580649&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

1. cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250707201735&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT plus a run extention

or possibly 3. cgi.ebay.co.uk/260673962738 with an extra run extention and extra nest box

need to make the desscion in the next hour or so or hubby will throttle me as i made up my mind 3 times last night already

i like number one best.

but i think you should go for this one

a real bargain too!

is there anyreason why it would be better to have the house off the ground? im sure there is but just cant remember to much chicken info going into my brain is pushing alot of other stuff out

Sorry but none of those listings mentions what sort of wood it is. You need proper, pressure treated or tanalised timber if it's going to last.

They also use roofing felt which is really bad for harbouring red mite.

Try to get something that's made from proper pressure treated wood and it'll last much longer.

and avoid roofing felt!

We built our own basic run, which is 5 metres by 2 and a half, just using wire, fence posts and tin roofing and it probably cost about that.

timber is treated i did check as also noticed that dh with also treat with creocote as recomended by my chicken man had thought about the felt and red mite thanks for bringing it to my attention again i think then perhaps number 1?

i know we should make our own hubby is a master craftsman cabinate maker but we just havnt the time my chicken man looked at me as if i was daft for not making it with dh doing what he does but it took me 3 years to get an oak cutting bourd from off cuts so you see what i mean

Treated with preservative or pressure treated?

There's a big difference, the former tends to be cheap not very strong wood that will maybe last one or two winters, but has had a coat of wood preservative. The latter will last ages because it's been through a process to change its strength iyswim.

Also many are imported - the ones from the far east tend to be very poor.

I'd go with number one from the ones you've linked.

Yes I see what you mean!

btw creosote very hard to come by unless you are in the trade as it's carcinogenic. Creo 'cote' won't prevent red mite so it's pointless.

It's all such a minefield!

sorry creo cote is the fake creosote you can buy in scats etc. I expect you already know all this stuff!

Good luck with your chooks.

i understand what your saying thanks for the replys should have said aswell once our allotment place (comes up 6-12 months) we plan on using the raised bed area (this is very large enough for prob 20 chucks or more) and creating our own run with 2 houses inside it, and sell the one we have or re-use it somewhere else so i guess it could be seen as just temporary.
but yes as i gabble on i think i will get number one
thankyou

yes have been told to get industrial stuff lukily dh is in the trade

lots to take in isnt there im so excited

Very exciting!! You will love it.

about the creosote. I want a carpenter husband too.!

i'll have a word if you like and see if i can get the details for you most domestic can buy through trade aswell providing you can find a supplier

That is really nice of you. Thankyou. Dont worry if it's against regs though, don't want to get anyone in trouble!

I like number one too. I am excited for you! We are going to get two more chickens in a week - it is the most addictive hobby I have ever had!

We have an eglu but we now need another coop, because our new chickens are HUGE. Bit nervous about wood but I think if you regularly clean with poultry shield and sprinkle wiht red mite powder, it should be fine.

I have a model maker husband but of course, he does nothing craft-wise at home!

We bought your No. 3 but the XL one for our 4 new hybrids a month ago and although the coop is a good size, we are already thinking of how to make the run bigger as I think it's too small for when we go away.
It's much more flimsy than the listing implies - as the others say, I wouldn't be surprised if we need to upgrade ina couple of years. Good bargain for now though.

your main consideration is the size-
1 hen needs 1sqft coop space and
2sqm run space

that means for 6 hen, you need a coop of 2ft x 3ft, and a run of 6metres x 2metres (or 3m x 4m )