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4.5
Good coop for adult chickens. However, in South Florida, there are rats, snakes, racoons, possums and cats - all of which can fit through the gap between the nesting section and the main house. The underside sliding tray is also a site for animal invasion. I've lost baby chicks to a possum before, so I used steel hardware cloth across the bottom to make the coop predator proof. Also used crack fill in the nesting area, to close a 2 inch gap. To make up for lost ventilation, I installed a small solar fan. As others have said - instructions are a nightmare. If you can get past the initial step of making the nest box correctly, (hint - mark the top of parts B, C, then make sure the flipper arm on part C is upright, on the right side, with the screw for that arm oriented towards the front side of the box), you get tripped up on the Step 2, which says to screw part M to D. Turns out, this was a step where provided bolts were necessary; not screws. Some of the wood joints were split on receiving - I recut these pieces, and replaced them as a precaution. You'll also want to predrill all screwholes, since the wood is very dry, and very thin. Stain or linseed the final product for the elements. And finally, all the screws are way too long - I replaced them with more appropriate sizes, since at least an inch of sharp screw was protruding on every joint that is made. Flimsy hardware, including an extremely shoddy latch were not even used - replaced with better hardware. Great idea, poor execution. 1-18-13 I'm updating this review, 4 days later after a good rain- waterproof cabin, so far. Actually used the Amazon illustration to figure out how to put the fence area together, since included instructions are so poor. You will have to dig a 2" trench, to align the screen pegs to the coop predrilled holes. This, of course, isn't bad, since it means animals can't slip under the fence. There is no "screened ventilation area" as advertised in the expanded description - a side door is pre installed, but no screen that can be covered in cold weather. If you're not much of a builder, but have intermediate handyman skills, this coop can be a good buy However, you must reinforce all openings, add hardware cloth to the vulnerable areas and replace a lot of weak hardware or dry, split wood. Final note, though: my chickens took a day to get used to the coop, then laid an egg - this is a good indication that the coop is adequate for comfort, since I expected a longer gap before they settled into a laying routine.I actually would buy this again....if I hadn't already gotten other size coops.I raise silkies, and am using this for 5 silkies....Silkies usually pile on top of each other to sleep and keep warm so the cooparea is a perfect size....I use one of the nesting boxes for a gallon waterer...This group of silkies seem very happy with the set up, and go back and forth fromthe coop to the outdoor area... but I wouldn't add another chicken....nor allowchicks in this small of an area with the adult 5 silkies.You will want to move it.....it has no wheels...but it can be moved if using3 people...or if you undo the cage part from the coop...to give them a differentgrazing area... It's perfect for city living.... but if your out in the countryand have coyotes, raccoons, or flying preditors... your going to have to securethe coop. Locks or latches on roof, and nesting box area...the cage area is notstrong enough to hold children or animals... The mesh cloth or whatever it's calledis only stapled to the wood... The WOOD in the run area, (outdoors area)is not very thick, which will cause the mesh to come out from under the staples if you putto heavy of items on it, andthe wood itself, if mishandled will probably break easily...But the fold up part on top of outdoor run, is great for getting to the chickens orto feed and water...This coop is wood, and it expands in wet rainy weather...so pay attention to thedoor on the coop, (that is used as a small ramp, for chickens to enter coop),any shavings will get caught in the area that your closing, and the wood swells makingit difficult to close door and latch it...your going to have to rig it up so the doorworks properly when needed...The coop is roomy, the run area is really nice, because it's not a long thin run...It looks nice, it can be painted...and the chickens like it...!!For bigger chickens....I wouldn't put more than 3....and like I said...move it aroundthe yard as you would a chicken tractor...This also would be perfect for chicks in the summer and young 2, 3 months old chicks...if you secure the area...!!There were several dents in this and the runner portion is cheaply made as any animal can get in easily as the staples are not commercial grade. We didn't get all the necessary parts for the latches and had to improvise. Overall it is working for our 2 ducks and 2 chickens we have together in this until we are able to get something bigger for them.The cage may last at least 1 year if the weather is perfect. The material is easily broken when moving. will not last during rain and or snow and will need to be stored away during these weather conditions or covered. I should have bought my own material for what i had paid.Pictures are deceiving and when you are in a hurry you don't sit down and think about measurements, my fault. I would not have chosen this coop if I hadn't been in a hurry. I love cedar, but one good kick and this coop would be in pieces. The fence part doesn't meet up to the actual coop to cover the gap between the coop and the ground. I am 5'5 and the roof of this coop comes to about my waist. This is and will NOT be good during the winter without added insulation and a heating source. The lid to the nesting box must be lifted very carefully and readjusted and lined up before setting back down; the wood splinters and cracks otherwise. I would not have paid the price listed for this product had I been able to explore it. I doubt I will be able to allow my chickens to live in this when they grow up because chicken weigh so much and the floor does not seem sturdy for a couple of large hens. This is better as a rabbit hutch, though I supposed it wouldn't take a rabbit much time to chew a hole in the wood.
