Frequently Asked Questions
We get a lot of questions about our coops when people are considering a new chicken coop for their back yard. Here, we've compiled the most frequently asked questions in case you have the same wonderings.

What makes your coops different?

Our coops are designed from the ground up for strength along with good looks. Take a look at the construction details of our coops and compare them to the look-alikes on the internet. Our chicken coops are heavy - averaging 80 lbs per box shipped. We have rust-proof heavy duty black hardware and carabiners, heavy gauge wire mesh on all the run extensions as well as the doors and windows. Our chicken coops have structural support under each nesting box. Other look-alikes have stripped many features to reduce the cost, including leaving the nesting boxes hanging out in the air. Wind, weather, and gravity will cause their nesting boxes to sag and ultimately fail - it just has to. Ours will not fail because they are supported and give extra space in the run for your chickens. In addition, we use FLASHING to prevent rain from getting into the nesting boxes. The windows on our coops are NOT sliding but rather a heavy duty pop up window that is designed to lock open or to clock closed. This design is far superior to the wooden sliding windows which warp and become difficult to use within a few short months. The difference is in the details so look carefully at our coop features as you compare them with others. We appreciate it!

What kind of stain or paint do you use?

We put a nice thorough base coat of water-based stain on your coop. This allows you to paint or stain your coop the color you want. Our coops are wood and therefore need to be maintained over time. We recommend re-staining your coop every six months or on an as needed basis. You can purchase the original chicken coop stain on our website and conveniently pick it up at your local Sherwin Williams. We offer a 10% discount by purchasing online versus what you would pay in store.

Can I get the Exact Stain Color to match my coop?

We offer it on our website! Get the exact color for touch up and added protection. We partner with Sherwin Williams, the best stain in the market, to deliver protection for the coop.

It's windy in our area what do we do?

Our coops are designed to withstand wind, with Florida customer being in our top 3 selling states. For added security you can secure it to the ground with U stakes from your local hardware store or simply purchase our predator protection kit that attached to the surround of your coop and secures it to the ground with 30 U Stakes. Also, make sure the ground is level - this will help ensure a heavy wind doesn’t affect the coop’s stability

It's cold in our area what do we do?

We sell these coops in all states, with our family and many on our team in Minnesota, the coldest state in the country. Chickens are resilient but care should be taken. Our coops have ventilation to keep air moving, which is most important. If temps drop below 15 degrees it’s wise to provide a radiant heater, that way the hens can move closer or further away depending on their needs. Keeping your waterer from freezing is the biggest threat to their safety, which you can do with heater pans, submersive heaters or waterers with built in heating elements.

It's hot in our area what do we do?

Our coops have multiple vents in the hen house, this air flow helps keep your girls healthy and reduces the temperature in the hen house. You can spray the ground with water and this will reduce their body temperature too. Sometimes we will give our girls frozen corn or something from the fridge to cool them down =) Most importantly, make sure you keep the waterer clean and full at all times.

It's wet in our area what do we do?

Remember, standing water is not only an enemy for your flock but your structure as well. To keep your coop protected, plan to re-stain every 12-24 months…whenever it starts to look like it needs another coat. Spring is a great time to do this. Keeping the wood finish on your coop will make it last for many years in any climate.

It is dry in our area what do we do?

Dry weather isn't as hard on the chicken coop, but the sun itself will cause the color to fade over time. Just make sure to reapply the wood finish whenever the wood looks like it needs it to keep the wood fresh and strong. Also, make sure you keep your waterer clean and filled. In the summer or hot/dry weather, your chickens will go through water much faster. For the first few weeks, keep a watch on the waterer to gauge how fast your chickens go through the water, that way you can create a schedule and rest assured they have plenty of water between visits to your coop.

Can we put wheels on the coop?

Absolutely, the best type is the kind you can place under the coop and remove after moving. Keeping the coop flush with the ground is essential to protect against predators. You can definitely move it though without wheels! We recommend removing the Run before moving.

Can I paint my coop?

Absolutely! When you choose your paint color be sure that you choose a exterior paint. Also, let the pain cure for at least a day before moving your girls back in (if possible). As with any outdoor wooden furniture piece, you will need to maintain your coop. Depending on the weather conditions, you will want to paint/lacquer the coop as well as tighten screws, etc. every 12-18 months.

Have additional questions?

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us - we're real people and always ready to help!