CheapISH chicken coops ?

[fumanchu]

Want to get chickens next spring, looked at and fell in love with the EGLU cube. Then saw the price and fainted. Has anybody made or found a really nice reasonable coop ? Ideas needed !

[TheGoodEarth]

All you need is an old shed/wendy house (try freegle and offer to dismantle) a hammer, a saw and nails.

[oldjerry]

Aforementioned plastic things are a rip off.Personally I don't buy into the beatification of old Seymour,but if you check out his 'Self Sufficiency/gardener,etc. books(any old library,and all good car boot sales) you'll find a template for a n extremely cheap chicken coop,using old fertilzer bags.

[fumanchu]

Really interesting ty. I have that book somewhere, didnt know there was chicken houses in it

[kate682]

This is a great gallery of different, mostly homemade chicken coops, hen houses
http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/tractors.html
The only thing i'd say, is bend over the wire at the bottom and place paving slabs, rocks to stop foxes digging in.

Hugs from my hens..... Daisy, Isobelle, Mrs Biggs, Samantha, Emma and Speckles, who's broody at the moment :-S

[Steve Hanson]

For designs just Google chicken tractor I have tractors I built 6 years ago still in service which cost me less than £50 each.

I would avoid building large permanent houses which stay in one place. They cost more, chickens on the same soil every day are more susceptible to disease & death, and they are totally reliant on you for all their food.

Chickens in tractors moved regularly get some of their food from the ground beneath their feet, are usually healthier, they regulate weeds, feed and condition the soil.

Chicken tractors are a Win Win Win!

[fumanchu]

Husband useless at making things but one of my sons is a joiner. I can lean on him and try... !

[Mrs H]

We were really fortunate and someone gave us our current wooden chicken house but prior to this they lived in a converted oil tank, we had perches running the length of it. They can be picked up for free and a good scrub with fairy liquid gets the kerosene residue out. X

[oldjerry]

Bit hot in summer though Mrs.H,Oh no ,I forgot your in Ireland!!...
ps. check your pm.

[fumanchu]

ok, thanks, I always need to do a lot of research before I finally do things, thanks for all your patience !