Chicken Coop - Where to buy???

Mackzee

Hey,

Since all the local hardware stores are closed, is there anywhere online to buy raw materials, (timber, wire, etc) to build a coop and run.

Alternatively. is there somewhere online to buy a coop and decent run??

Thanks

uck51js9zml2yt

I'm currently making one and a run.

Pallets for the coop

Zenify

I bought this one on amazon 2 years ago and it's been great. I have 3 leghorn hens in it. I extended it by taking off the back wire mesh and creating a run with chicken wire. Some advice - also by a motion sensor security light to deter foxes. You will also have to do additional work to make sure the fox doesnt dig under.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MGM3CY6/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_dCBIEbVFTRXY8

Zenify

Dont underestimate a fox. Do as much security and reinforcement as possible at the start.

DBB

Mackzee wrote: »

Hey,

Since all the local hardware stores are closed, is there anywhere online to buy raw materials, (timber, wire, etc) to build a coop and run.

Alternatively. is there somewhere online to buy a coop and decent run??

Thanks

How many hens are you planning on?

Mackzee

DBB wrote: »

How many hens are you planning on?

4 hens

DBB

Ah ok, I'd been going to suggest a garden shed, but that'd be slight overkill for 4 hens
A decent dog kennel with be a good starting point, that you could install some perches in, with a nesting box or two.
A lot of the proprietary chicken coops and runs are not the greatest quality imo, they're a bit too easy for a fox to chew his way into, and they don't last particularly well. To me, they're made to be more appealing to the human than the hens! So if you're buying a ready made coop, make sure it's really robust and solidly built.

Mackzee

DBB wrote: »

Ah ok, I'd been going to suggest a garden shed, but that'd be slight overkill for 4 hens
A decent dog kennel with be a good starting point, that you could install some perches in, with a nesting box or two.
A lot of the proprietary chicken coops and runs are not the greatest quality imo, they're a bit too easy for a fox to chew his way into, and they don't last particularly well. To me, they're made to be more appealing to the human than the hens! So if you're buying a ready made coop, make sure it's really robust and solidly built.

I should have said start with 2, then increase to 4 or 6. I think you are right, some of the ones online are tiny. I saw a dog run online for 300euro, might get that, then either make / buy a house.

Mackzee

Where is the best place to buy materials online that still deliver?

uck51js9zml2yt

Don't buy a dog run. It's hard to weather proof with a metal frame.... Personal experience

Mackzee

Came across this shed on amazon - use it as a house??

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BI0VPIW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00BI0VPIW&pd_rd_w=iXt6n&pf_rd_p=1055d8b2-c10c-4d7d-b50d-96300553e15d&pd_rd_wg=MOLQf&pf_rd_r=6D9HYXPG4MQ8CTW7QG3T&pd_rd_r=de380130-ef90-4cd3-9d76-f0f964c1f56d&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSDZHT0o1T0UzVVA5JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTMzMTI2TE9SQk4zVTdDM0xJJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3MTQ5NjBaUVBKSUVDQ0g0NjQmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Bass Reeves

If I was spending more than 200 euro I would seriously consider


https://www.omlet.ie/shop/chicken_keeping/eglu_go_up/

DBB

From experience, any proprietary coops you look at, you can take it that it'll comfortable only hold half, max ⅔ of the hens they say they can

tractorporn

Green hen works in Mullingar

http://www.greenhenworks.com/

They deliver via courier and you assemble yourself. I'd check about delivery first. My sister got one from them and I put it together it was made with decent stuff and an irish business.

Mackzee

Bass Reeves wrote: »

If I was spending more than 200 euro I would seriously consider


https://www.omlet.ie/shop/chicken_keeping/eglu_go_up/

Delivery end of May.

Mackzee

it says suitable for 12 hens, more like 4 maybe 6.
Seems good for the money @ €240.

https://www.inthemarket.ie/shop/12-bird-large-chicken-coop-with-run-and-egg-box/

bulleyes

Mackzee wrote: »

Delivery end of May.

All of the farm supply stores are still open. Wire, timber and fixings will be available and quite a few do their own deliveries too

Ive attached a picture of a chicken house I made for my own hens last summer, something a little different.

memorystick

tractorporn wrote: »

Green hen works in Mullingar

http://www.greenhenworks.com/

They deliver via courier and you assemble yourself. I'd check about delivery first. My sister got one from them and I put it together it was made with decent stuff and an irish business.

I ordered the Ark type. I could make one but it wouldn’t be of the same standard. The missus would bag to no end. I’m making a few chicken tractors for the farm in a few weeks.

Mackzee

bulleyes wrote: »

All of the farm supply stores are still open. Wire, timber and fixings will be available and quite a few do their own deliveries too

Ive attached a picture of a chicken house I made for my own hens last summer, something a little different.

The one you made looks unreal

Aravo

Got one last year from fresh supply.co.uk suitable for up up 8 birds it said, price e200. We only have 2 hens, will prob get another 2 in a month or 2. Any more on it would not be comfortable. The one we have is very similar looking to the inthemarket photo, but without the hen run built on. The timber is very light, I would make one if one had the time. Pallets are only good, if you filled in all the gaps. Beware of foxes, mink, pine martins.

uck51js9zml2yt

Aravo wrote: »

Got one last year from fresh supply.co.uk suitable for up up 8 birds it said, price e200. We only have 2 hens, will prob get another 2 in a month or 2. Any more on it would not be comfortable. The one we have is very similar looking to the inthemarket photo, but without the hen run built on. The timber is very light, I would make one if one had the time. Pallets are only good, if you filled in all the gaps. Beware of foxes, mink, pine martins.

I'm building one 12*6ft.
The coop is 3ft off the ground and will be made of pallets. I concreted 4*4 posts into the ground and then built a frame around them.
Have an OSB( covered in plastic) with corrugated tin on top for a roof which is slanted.

Cost me about 500 for materials and I had stuff lying around to make the coop and put on siding on the run. I'm in a windy location and it will become a mud bath in winter if not done right ...lesson from using a metal frame run for the last 12 months.

Bass Reeves

Mackzee wrote: »

Delivery end of May.

Will you source chickens before then

Mackzee wrote: »

it says suitable for 12 hens, more like 4 maybe 6.
Seems good for the money @ €240.

https://www.inthemarket.ie/shop/12-bird-large-chicken-coop-with-run-and-egg-box/

They are a mass produced chinese one as far as I know. I got a smaller one that in reality holds 2-3 hens abou 6-8 years ago. Just about holding togeather at present. 3 hens will give you 15-20 eggs a week more than enough for the average household now

Jamal Rapid Concrete wrote: »

I'm building one 12*6ft.
The coop is 3ft off the ground and will be made of pallets. I concreted 4*4 posts into the ground and then built a frame around them.
Have an OSB( covered in plastic) with corrugated tin on top for a roof which is slanted.

Cost me about 500 for materials and I had stuff lying around to make the coop and put on siding on the run. I'm in a windy location and it will become a mud bath in winter if not done right ...lesson from using a metal frame run for the last 12 months.

Biggest thing is to be able to move coop and run onto new ground ever 2-3 days. Used an old trampoline to make a run along with chicken wire.

uck51js9zml2yt

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Will you source chickens before then



They are a mass produced chinese one as far as I know. I got a smaller one that in reality holds 2-3 hens abou 6-8 years ago. Just about holding togeather at present. 3 hens will give you 15-20 eggs a week more than enough for the average household now



Biggest thing is to be able to move coop and run onto new ground ever 2-3 days. Used an old trampoline to make a run along with chicken wire.

Planning on building a small run into it to them the have more space.
They've also free ranged a bit so will let them do that as well with the new run.

Mackzee

Now, next thing is, where can I get some chickens in Cork area?

Bass Reeves

Mackzee wrote: »

Now, next thing is, where can I get some chickens in Cork area?

https://www.farmfowl.com/where-to-buy-chickens/laying-hen-suppliers/

Gloomtastic!

Mackzee wrote: »

Now, next thing is, where can I get some chickens in Cork area?

Go on to DoneDeal. Loads of suppliers on there.

Hard Knocks

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Will you source chickens before then



They are a mass produced chinese one as far as I know. I got a smaller one that in reality holds 2-3 hens abou 6-8 years ago. Just about holding togeather at present. 3 hens will give you 15-20 eggs a week more than enough for the average household now



Biggest thing is to be able to move coop and run onto new ground ever 2-3 days. Used an old trampoline to make a run along with chicken wire.

Could you put 3/4 in a fixed 10ft x 16ft area
Have small waist area beside shed

Bass Reeves

Hard Knocks wrote: »

Could you put 3/4 in a fixed 10ft x 16ft area
Have small waist area beside shed

Not really if you want to free range them they would want to be moving from an area that size every week or so. A moveable run is ideal that you can move about the lawn. They do an amazing job on moss

Base price

Just a reminder that anyone keeping poultry even if only a few hens in your garden must register with the Dept of Agriculture.
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/avian_influenza/poultryregistration/howtoregisteryourpoultrypremiseswiththedepartment/

Aravo

Great job. Is that an automatic door closer/opener that I see. How do you find it. What type is it.

Aravo

bulleyes wrote: »

All of the farm supply stores are still open. Wire, timber and fixings will be available and quite a few do their own deliveries too

Ive attached a picture of a chicken house I made for my own hens last summer, something a little different.

Great job. Is that an automatic door closer/opener that I see. How do you find it. What type is it.

kerryjack

That's a fine coop bullseye. 5 star accommodation for your chicks

bulleyes

Aravo wrote: »

Great job. Is that an automatic door closer/opener that I see. How do you find it. What type is it.

Thanks. Yes, its the "Chicken Guard extreme" automatic door opener. It can be set on a timer or to open and close during daylight hours. Theres a lot of foxes around here so this was the safest option. Best money I spent, really cant fault it.

_Brian

Jamal Rapid Concrete wrote: »

Don't buy a dog run. It's hard to weather proof with a metal frame.... Personal experience

We use a dog run as their immediate secured area, few sheets of tin across and the chicken coop is outside but opens through a hole in the wire.

Works great, they have some space to roam around all the time and then are let out round the garden most days, shut into the run at night, have a ring of slabs round the dog run to stop a fox digging under it.

uck51js9zml2yt

_Brian wrote: »

We use a dog run as their immediate secured area, few sheets of tin across and the chicken coop is outside but opens through a hole in the wire.

Works great, they have some space to roam around all the time and then are let out round the garden most days, shut into the run at night, have a ring of slabs round the dog run to stop a fox digging under it.

Im on a mountain facing the atlantic. If I didnt have high sides and a roof I'd come out and find them embedded in the wire mesh

Mackzee

Well I'm down to these options;

1.
https://www.aosom.ie/item/pawhut-wood-chicken-coop-guinea-pig-hutch-small-animal-cage-pc-roof-w-run-box~D51-104.html?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA&gclid=Cj0KCQjwybD0BRDyARIsACyS8mueGycHrgXV01MVuCi7X9IMZlGMDyorzanN_gPlsvV39-tV9pODn9QaAgOGEALw_wcB

2.
https://www.farmfowl.com/product/the-holly-chicken-coop-with-run/

3.
https://www.farmfowl.com/product/the-lucy-chicken-coop/

kerryjack

They are cheap enough and would get you started probably go for the second option you can add on a few extensions later on if needed.

c.p.w.g.w

What's the best way of fox proofing? I live very much in the city but we have about 2 local foxes.

uck51js9zml2yt

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

What's the best way of fox proofing? I live very much in the city but we have about 2 local foxes.

Get wire mesh for under the frame. Wide enough to extend out. Fox won't dig past it.

EagerBeaverton

Mackzee wrote: »

Since all the local hardware stores are closed, is there anywhere online to buy raw materials, (timber, wire, etc) to build a coop and run.

You might have gone with buying the coop and run as a set online, but did you by any chance find a supplier that's still selling timber online and is delivering? Was just about to start building a run and a coop as things shut down and are goosed at the minute - any supplier I can find is only offering essential deliveries or they've shut completely.

Gloomtastic!

Mackzee wrote: »

Well I'm down to these options;

1.
https://www.aosom.ie/item/pawhut-wood-chicken-coop-guinea-pig-hutch-small-animal-cage-pc-roof-w-run-box~D51-104.html?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA&gclid=Cj0KCQjwybD0BRDyARIsACyS8mueGycHrgXV01MVuCi7X9IMZlGMDyorzanN_gPlsvV39-tV9pODn9QaAgOGEALw_wcB

2.
https://www.farmfowl.com/product/the-holly-chicken-coop-with-run/

3.
https://www.farmfowl.com/product/the-lucy-chicken-coop/

I like No 1. but it’s very light. Might not last long. I’ve just gone for an Amy from farmfowl.

Ordered the chickens through Freeway Poultry. To find out when they can deliver near you, you have to order the birds then there’s a drop down menu giving you a date/location near you. Don’t bother trying to call/email them, I’ve heard nothing back.

I was going to copy bullseyes design for a coop but my mate who makes all things metal was quoting me €500 for just the materials.

Birds arrive here Sunday. Getting very excited!

Mackzee

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

I like No 1. but it’s very light. Might not last long. I’ve just gone for an Amy from farmfowl.

Ordered the chickens through Freeway Poultry. To find out when they can deliver near you, you have to order the birds then there’s a drop down menu giving you a date/location near you. Don’t bother trying to call/email them, I’ve heard nothing back.

I was going to copy badasses design for a coop but my mate who makes all things metal was quoting me €500 for just the materials.

Birds arrive here Sunday. Getting very excited!

Delivery of poultry is ideal, gonna use them.

jimini0

Jamal Rapid Concrete wrote: »

Get wire mesh for under the frame. Wide enough to extend out. Fox won't dig past it.

Don't forget about the mink. Them things can get in the smallest of holes. Wiped out my father's 6 hens in a week. Couldn't find where he was gettin in until it was too late.

Mackzee

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

I like No 1. but it’s very light. Might not last long. I’ve just gone for an Amy from farmfowl.

Ordered the chickens through Freeway Poultry. To find out when they can deliver near you, you have to order the birds then there’s a drop down menu giving you a date/location near you. Don’t bother trying to call/email them, I’ve heard nothing back.

I was going to copy badasses design for a coop but my mate who makes all things metal was quoting me €500 for just the materials.

Birds arrive here Sunday. Getting very excited!

Looked at the Amy aswell, the Katie is nearly the same dimensions. What is delivery on them?

Gloomtastic!

Mackzee wrote: »

Looked at the Amy aswell, the Katie is nearly the same dimensions. What is delivery on them?

Delivery is free. Should be here tomorrow

uck51js9zml2yt

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

I like No 1. but it’s very light. Might not last long. I’ve just gone for an Amy from farmfowl.

Ordered the chickens through Freeway Poultry. To find out when they can deliver near you, you have to order the birds then there’s a drop down menu giving you a date/location near you. Don’t bother trying to call/email them, I’ve heard nothing back.

I was going to copy badasses design for a coop but my mate who makes all things metal was quoting me €500 for just the materials.

Birds arrive here Sunday. Getting very excited!

My materials cost that as well force 12*6. It has to withstand Atlantic storms

Aravo

bulleyes wrote: »

Thanks. Yes, its the "Chicken Guard extreme" automatic door opener. It can be set on a timer or to open and close during daylight hours. Theres a lot of foxes around here so this was the safest option. Best money I spent, really cant fault it.

The automatic door closer whether sliding upwards or to the side will not fit my coop. It's pretty light timber anyways so might make up a coop over the summer. I would have to butcher the roof to get an automatic one to fit.

Aravo

I took the plunge and got the chicken guard extreme auto door opener. Bit of work to get it to fit but it's up and running.

Aravo

Aravo wrote: »

I took the plunge and got the chicken guard extreme auto door opener. Bit of work to get it to fit but it's up and running.

I have 2 door closers. Both under 10 and unlikely to develop a fault until their teenage years

eusap

Aravo wrote: »

I took the plunge and got the chicken guard extreme auto door opener. Bit of work to get it to fit but it's up and running.

How much are the chicken guards?

Aravo

eusap wrote: »

How much are the chicken guards?

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