Chicken Coop For Sale
Table of Contents
Finding the Right Chicken Coop for Sale: A Quick Guide for First-timers
So you’ve finally decided to raise chickens in your own backyard. You already read about the various breeds available, and you even picked the one that’s most suited to your needs. And now, you’re getting ready to search for a good chicken coop for sale. Do you know where to start? Well, start here, and be sure to read to the end to find some of the best chicken coops for sale!
Between Price and Quality
Browse a bit online and you’ll realize that it isn’t difficult to find dirt-cheap chicken houses. In fact, they’re probably the most common kind these days. Well, these coops often look good and seem sturdy enough, but they might cost you more in the long run.
Maintenance issues, as well as inaccuracies in advertised capacity, are just some of the things that could come with purchasing something poorly made, so be sure to read reviews carefully. Anything below $200 is either of good quality yet made for a single hen, or made with subpar materials and probably won’t last a year intact.
While it would entail spending extra time and effort, do try to find the average prices of chicken houses in your area. Look around in a couple of stores, taking note of things like size, material, and extra features. If you have friends who know a thing or two about poultry, ask them to tag along.
Spending $500 on a coop might seem crazy, especially if you’re not that sure whether your enthusiasm to raise chickens will last. But, if you are fairly certain that you aren’t doing this out of mere boredom, investing in quality poultry housing is a must.
Choosing the Right Material
Are the finest coops all made of wood? Are those made of plastic automatically subpar? Actually, well-made chicken housing of similar capacities are often within the same price range, regardless of the material from which they’re made.
There are, however, pros and cons to each choice. Plastic, for one, is bacteria-resistant—meaning you won’t have to spend hours scrubbing just to make sure that the coop is clean. Besides, scrubbing won’t get rid of microbes that have already penetrated the wood.
Another advantage of going for plastic is that it doesn’t absorb moisture. Wooden chicken houses, even those made of expensive wood, could expand when exposed to rain for long periods. This causes problems in closing doors. Other moving parts could end up not working as well as they should.
Given these perks, should you immediately search for a plastic chicken coop for sale? Well, not necessarily. Again, it has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Plastic is far from perfect and it isn’t the right choice for everyone.
The Perks of Wood Housing
If you’re into keeping the aesthetics of your property, you’ll probably appreciate the flexibility of wood when it comes to looks. Painting a wooden coop to match your home’s exterior shouldn’t be too difficult. Adding a few modifications on your own won’t be hard either.
Plastic chicken houses tend to look like toys, though there are those (most often the recycled one) that have a fully utilitarian design. Keep in mind that painting these isn’t an option either, and you’re basically stuck with whichever design you chose.
Another downside with choosing a plastic coop is that you’ll have a harder time getting rid of mites. Although plastic isn’t as favorable to the growth of these parasites, plastic poultry housing have all sorts of spaces in between their parts—serving as hiding spots for such blood-sucking arachnids.
By the way, do you remember how plastic doesn’t absorb moisture? Truth be told, that isn’t always a good thing. The lack of breathability makes it more likely for condensation to occur, which in turn could affect the health of your chickens. This is why proper ventilation is crucial in plastic coops.
Chicken Coop For Sale – Considerations and Choices
At this point, it’s clear that your expectations and circumstances are what will ultimately determine the right material. If you wish to prioritize aesthetics, for example, you should probably go for wood. On the other hand, if you prefer less demanding maintenance, plastic is a great choice.
There are other things you’ll have to think about though. Additional features, such as mesh flooring and automatic doors, might seem unnecessary to some but could be vital in certain cases. If there is often meat-eating wildlife in your area, a predator-deterrent light will prove crucial.
All in all, as you continue to search for the right chicken coop for sale, you should never forget what’s most important—specifications and features that match your needs, goals, and budget in your very first attempt at raising poultry.
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