You're seeing it everywhere….Facebook, Instagram, your neighborhood… and now you're tempted to give it a try.
Yes, the backyard chicken phenomenon that is sweeping through suburbs across the nation is real.
If you're looking to buy your first chicken coop online, here are 5 tips to build your confidence when buying your first chicken coop online.
What this article is not:
You're probably aware your coop needs doors, maybe some roosting bars, reliable safety (like a predator-proof protection kit), and should be easy to clean.
You'll find this info on every other chicken coop site. The problem is it can become information overload and won't help you narrow down your chicken coop options.
The 5 practical considerations that follow will help you narrow down the wide world of online chicken coops so you can make the right decision for YOU!
DANNY'S PRO TIP: Sometimes the hardest part of buying a coop is convincing everyone you live with how great they are! This can sometimes be the hardest part. This article can help with this. So let’s get started!
5 Steps to Buy a Chicken Coop Online
1. Be Confident - You’re already a pro!
You’ve made thousands of purchasing decisions in your lifetime and over the past decade you have become a master at vetting products online.
Chicken Coops can still be purchased in the store, but the majority are being sold and marketed online to accommodate this shift and it really opens up your options.
The process for buying a coop online is similar to all the other purchases you’ve made, so shop confidently!
2. Know your budget
If you’ve already done the math, you know having chickens will not reduce your grocery bill. However, life is short and not everything is about saving money.
The tangible and emotional benefits of having backyard chickens and a reliable food source I’ll save for a different article.
Some would never pay more than $20 for a dog while some will pay up to $10,000. Like all pets, it’s going to cost money to get started and to maintain a backyard chicken coop. You'll need to budget for 3 primary cost:
- The Coop
- The Accessories
- The Feed
The chicken coop and chicken coop accessories you choose will have the biggest impact on your budget.
Like most things, you get what you pay for. Setting your budget is the first step in fine-tuning your options. We’ll dig into high, medium, and low-priced coops later in the article.
3. Your Style
Whether you’re shopping for a coop, shirt, or car, we tend to start with what it looks like to trim down our options!
We at the Chicken Coop Company have learned the #1 reason why people don’t join the backyard chicken party is they had a hard time finding a coop that they thought looked good.
Getting the style you want will get you in the game, while your love for the hens will keep you in it. So let’s start there!
How to pick Style, Size, and Function
Do you want luxury, practicality, or both? There's a coop out there that will fit your style while also enhancing the fun of your backyard.
The market has evolved in the past 5 years and there are coops of all shapes and sizes - coops that resemble rustic barns, modern houses, classy villas, and even plastic mold coops (not my style but proof that there’s something for everyone!).
Pick a style you’d be proud of and that works with your house/yard. This will be the quickest way to eliminate entire companies that serve different tastes.
Size
Some use the number of chickens they want to determine the size of the coop. We like to work backward.
For most suburban chicken enthusiasts, their backyard space determines the size of the coop, which determines the number of chickens to keep.
Before choosing between large coops and small coops, start by getting the rough amount of space your lawn can donate.
We’ve used blankets or boards to visualize the space. Knowing this will narrow your search significantly.
If you find a style you love but it’s over your budget, consider a smaller coop model to bring the cost down.
Function / Customization
Do they offer custom chicken coops? Can you paint it? Can you jazz it up to make it fit your style? Can you add chicken coop accessories of your choosing?
Coop decor and fun chicken comfort items will make the experience fun for the family and hens. Your flock soon becomes an extension of your family and the coop can be an extension of your home.
There are countless ways to make it yours. Light fixtures, signs, planter boxes, weathervanes…even cameras! These are the little things that can make the coop your own and something you’re proud of.
Accessibility and function will determine how much work it’s going to be to keep it clean, gather fresh eggs, and care for your flock.
If this is your first time, you won’t know what to look for but that’s ok. Your savvy purchasing skills will help you uncover if there are major structural or functional issues.
4. Getting the most for your dollar
There are $199 coops and there are $5,000 coops. Most of the time you get what you pay for. Like everything else, there are trade-offs. Here are a few things to consider when looking at price tags:
As buyers, we tend to either buy the most expensive thing to avoid risk, or accept a few trade-offs and buy the Goldilocks “just right” option.
Or, some just can’t help going for the thrill of buying the cheapest option hoping for the deal of a lifetime. There's a place in the world for cheap things and it’s great there are options for everyone. Just consider the trade-offs…
Common Trade-offs
As you look at your options, try to uncover what you're trading in exchange for the dollars you're saving.
Hardware, structural sacrifices, packaging, and product support are the main levers manufacturers pull to reduce the cost of their products.
As you narrow down your favorites, try to find what that manufacturer does to reduce cost. You can do this by giving them a call or by looking for clues in their reviews.
If you're handy, you can take a cheaper coop in exchange for potential repairs every so often.
If you want a completely hands-off experience… well, it's a structure that fights the elements every day so even with the most expensive option there will be an element of upkeep regardless of the option you choose.
Expectations are everything when you open the box. Look for clear and honest content on their websites and verify with their reviews.
Space and size will be the biggest price factor.
If you want a chicken coop for 10 chickens, you’re going to pay more as you’ll need a bigger structure.
If you find the style you like but it’s out of your price range, consider reducing the size of your flock and picking their smaller option.
Again, style points will get you in the game, the chickens will keep you in it.
5. Buying a Partner to be on the journey with you
Trust is the currency when shopping online. Without it, we would still be shopping in the stores face to-face.
Here are 3 ways to increase the odds of you loving your coop and building confidence in your decision:
Are there people behind the product?
Send the company you are considering an email or give them a call. Did someone answer or respond? Did they answer your question?
Whether it’s a family business like ours or a large international company selling thousands of coops a month, make sure there's someone who will be there for you when you need them.
Are they more than just a seller?
Having a partner with you on the journey to help answer questions or be there for you when the coop needs repair or chicken coop delivery assistance is worth every penny. Consider this when choosing in the low, middle, or high end of the market.
Do they offer repair/replacement options?
Regardless of what the coop is made of, it will take a beating. The exterior from the relentless weather and the interior from the chickens (commonly known as raptors).
Look for companies who understand this and offer replacement parts for commonly worn parts. This will drastically extend the life of your coop.
Ready to Buy Your First Chicken Coop Online?
We hope this article has made you confident in buying your first chicken coop online. We're excited for you to join the backyard chicken family and if you have questions just let us know!
Here for you,
The Chicken Coop Company Family
