Cocoon Coops?
- Thread starter Wyrd
- Start date
I've never heard of it, Wyrd - can you give us the link so we can have a look?
If you are considering plastic, have a look at the Green Frog website http://www.greenfrogdesigns.co.uk/chicken-lodge-large/ would suit your birds with a bit of spare room, and the houses are very easy to keep clean and resistant to redmite. I'm very happy with mine.
If you are considering plastic, have a look at the Green Frog website http://www.greenfrogdesigns.co.uk/chicken-lodge-large/ would suit your birds with a bit of spare room, and the houses are very easy to keep clean and resistant to redmite. I'm very happy with mine.
Sue
New member
I think these are the cheap imports again that are poorly made and don't last. www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk
foxy
Active member
Yes, these are cheap imports and the wood they are constructed from is very poor quality.
I think I can see the coop you are interested in? The one that opens from the top with removable tray? I prefer a large door built into the side, to get in and clean, trying to lift the top off will be very awkward and hard on your back.
Shame you are not near Bristol I have a lovely house that needs a new home!
I think I can see the coop you are interested in? The one that opens from the top with removable tray? I prefer a large door built into the side, to get in and clean, trying to lift the top off will be very awkward and hard on your back.
Shame you are not near Bristol I have a lovely house that needs a new home!
dont even bother going there , i have one and if its the same as mine { 2 entrances side and front and roof lifts up with extensoin nest boxes on another side } then its only suitable for little bantams nothing esle at all . once you start moving them the house that is you will soon see it full apart , the roof willl need covering with onduline or similar as it leaks like hell and the wood is pants that also leaks like anything mine has 4 layers of waterproof paint on and its not perfect in really wet weather but the roof overlaps as i made sure the onduline sheet was bigger so it keeps of most of the wet i only got it as it fitted my budget 
05 after 4 yrs of chicken keeping i have soon leant to convert sheds ,plastic garden storage sheds and built my own coops my little banties will be geting a new home made coop this summer so this cocoon one can then be turned into a shelter only .
you will be better of buying a second hand coop from somewhere but make sure its well treated agaisnt red mite before you put any birds in there though or converting a garden shed if you can get one the one thing i always say about using a shed is if you at anytime decide not to keep birds then you always have extra storage space :lol:
05 after 4 yrs of chicken keeping i have soon leant to convert sheds ,plastic garden storage sheds and built my own coops my little banties will be geting a new home made coop this summer so this cocoon one can then be turned into a shelter only .you will be better of buying a second hand coop from somewhere but make sure its well treated agaisnt red mite before you put any birds in there though or converting a garden shed if you can get one the one thing i always say about using a shed is if you at anytime decide not to keep birds then you always have extra storage space :lol:
Oh Dear. I've just had one of these arrive.
The packaging was very badly damaged and two of the panels were broken but I've now recieved the replacements. I could sense from speaking to them that unless you sign 'damaged' upon delivery then you've be left with two broken panels and not a leg to stand on as it's in the terms and conditions.
Quality wise it seems ok but being brand new to chicken keeping myself I have nothing really to compare it to. I need to give it a few good coats of preserver before putting it together and I suppose time will tell if I've spent a small fortune on something rubbish.? Gosh I hope not. Worried now.05
The packaging was very badly damaged and two of the panels were broken but I've now recieved the replacements. I could sense from speaking to them that unless you sign 'damaged' upon delivery then you've be left with two broken panels and not a leg to stand on as it's in the terms and conditions.
Quality wise it seems ok but being brand new to chicken keeping myself I have nothing really to compare it to. I need to give it a few good coats of preserver before putting it together and I suppose time will tell if I've spent a small fortune on something rubbish.? Gosh I hope not. Worried now.
05
Longevity will be greatly improved if you give it three good coats of quality wood preservative before assembling it, using the oil-based stuff rather than the water-based type, and getting it right into the surfaces which will be concealed once the coop is assembled. When I made my quail house recently it was quite a cheap summerhouse in an end-of-season sale, and it soaked up loads of Wickes preservative, the kind with the 5-year guarantee. http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/170776 more expensive but worth it. This stuff needs quite warm conditions to dry properly, out in the sun is ideal, and its messier than the water-based stuff but very good. Wear disposable plastic gloves and have a new pair whenever you need.
The other factor of course is how well you can put the kit together, and what if anything you do about sealing gaps which might let in rain etc. i'm so lucky to have a husband who's really good at this sort of thing - my quail house turned out OK. through the winter.
Also, where are you going to put it? If it can be in a sheltered position, ideally under cover, it should be better for the hens as well as lasting longer. Cheap coops aren't all doom and gloom, we can't all afford Flytes of Fancy, can we? At least, being new, it will not have redmite and if you are lucky (and careful) you will avoid getting this. I've kept hens for some years and so far, touch wood, have stayed clear.
The other factor of course is how well you can put the kit together, and what if anything you do about sealing gaps which might let in rain etc. i'm so lucky to have a husband who's really good at this sort of thing - my quail house turned out OK. through the winter.
Also, where are you going to put it? If it can be in a sheltered position, ideally under cover, it should be better for the hens as well as lasting longer. Cheap coops aren't all doom and gloom, we can't all afford Flytes of Fancy, can we? At least, being new, it will not have redmite and if you are lucky (and careful) you will avoid getting this. I've kept hens for some years and so far, touch wood, have stayed clear.
perserve it and look after it and hardly ever move it around then it will last a few years at least , mines only a bit wonky as i have moved it a fair bit and now its up on blocks which are not totally level as the last time i pulled the moveable bottom out i found a mice nest { nothing in it though } .marigold i would adore to buy one of those woodland houses they have on f of f but at nearly £3000 or more nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh aint no bird worth that :lol: :lol: :lol: thing is if your budget isnt brillant then what do you do you have to go for cheap , if i only had bantams then yes for my budget i would buy 3 or 4 of these houses as they are ideal for them but i have leant that you have to treat it well first .
chrismahon
Well-known member
Had a look. We have got one of the 2-4 hen units and it's too small for one! Maybe 2 bantams maximum. Of course the Chinese are not renowned for their human rights achievements let alone their animal welfare systems -perhaps they would put 4 in it !!
http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/cocoon-cc1500SQ-chicken-coop-house.html
this is the one i have and its no where near space enough for the amount of birds they say even 10 bantams to me seems a bit harsh , at the mo i now have 4 bantams 2 wee dutch bantams and my odd sod chick { pretty large maran cross } in my one and thats more then enough birds .but they have gone up in price mine was only £80 plus £10 postage.
cant wait to build them a new better house though and one where the wee banties can have thier own little house built on the end :lol: as putting them to bed tonight was pure murder .
this is the one i have and its no where near space enough for the amount of birds they say even 10 bantams to me seems a bit harsh , at the mo i now have 4 bantams 2 wee dutch bantams and my odd sod chick { pretty large maran cross } in my one and thats more then enough birds .but they have gone up in price mine was only £80 plus £10 postage.
cant wait to build them a new better house though and one where the wee banties can have thier own little house built on the end :lol: as putting them to bed tonight was pure murder .
tygrysek75
Member
I had recently purchased this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250838879549?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 for my yungsters.This is a really smal cop and 2 fully grown hens is a max amount of birds.It is not a great cop but I had got it just to have separete housing for the time of introduction to the main flock.The nest boxes are so tiny I have no idea how fully grown hen woud fit inside.Perches are no good as way to narrow for adult bird.My birds had not slept inside yet as I worry is still to cold for them in this cop.Quality of this is no good either-can't see if it suvived even 1 season-no way,so i would't recomend if your run is not cowered.It is good for me for what I need at the moment-temporary accomodation.Maybe for a broody?
thing with all these coops nowadays is they make they look so good which is what catches us to buy them i know thats why i got mine .
if you treat it well with good waterproof paint then it should last a few years just dont move it around to much ducksback curipol is good as it has addded wax in it which is what mine is done with well the top layer is .
only bad point for me is theres tons of places for the red mite to hide compared to some coops05 how do you get into yours to clean it does one side open right up ??
if you treat it well with good waterproof paint then it should last a few years just dont move it around to much ducksback curipol is good as it has addded wax in it which is what mine is done with well the top layer is .
only bad point for me is theres tons of places for the red mite to hide compared to some coops
05 how do you get into yours to clean it does one side open right up ??Thank you Marigold and Karminski for the advice. I've gone beserk with Cuprinol Ultimate before I put it together and really let it soak in on any cut ends.
These coops definately look far better than they actually are. Mine's half built and door catches etc have all had to be taken off and adjusted to fit properly. Luckily I'm quite handy with a drill, bought for my husband for christmas, but I think I've used it more than he has. There are still several gaps which I'm thinking of filling with clear silicone to keep the draughts out. Mine is 250cm x 120cm x 155cm, I'm thinking of normal sized hybrids - how many would people suggest as a maximum? I had ideas on 4 but would like opinions if this is ok?
It will be placed right up against our fence on part of flower bed I've cleared and donated. The unfortuante thing is the cat has adopted it herself as a new litter tray so it'll need clearing again before the coop is moved there. The ground is very well draining and very easy to dig. I'm in two minds if I should lay slabs (not easy to do myself) or compact the soil as much as possible and put chicken wire down over the bare earth with chippings/ straw etc on top?
Anyone thinking of getting a cocoon coop. Don't but if you do then be prepared for extra modifications, plenty of decent quality wood preserver and quite a few more hours than you would have expected.
These coops definately look far better than they actually are. Mine's half built and door catches etc have all had to be taken off and adjusted to fit properly. Luckily I'm quite handy with a drill, bought for my husband for christmas, but I think I've used it more than he has. There are still several gaps which I'm thinking of filling with clear silicone to keep the draughts out. Mine is 250cm x 120cm x 155cm, I'm thinking of normal sized hybrids - how many would people suggest as a maximum? I had ideas on 4 but would like opinions if this is ok?
It will be placed right up against our fence on part of flower bed I've cleared and donated. The unfortuante thing is the cat has adopted it herself as a new litter tray so it'll need clearing again before the coop is moved there. The ground is very well draining and very easy to dig. I'm in two minds if I should lay slabs (not easy to do myself) or compact the soil as much as possible and put chicken wire down over the bare earth with chippings/ straw etc on top?
Anyone thinking of getting a cocoon coop. Don't but if you do then be prepared for extra modifications, plenty of decent quality wood preserver and quite a few more hours than you would have expected.
chrismahon
Well-known member
Presume those dimensions are run length, width and height. You only have 3 square metres so pick two of the same calm type from the same flock. Tell the breeder the space you have and make sure he knows what you need. Any very active breeds will go crazy in a small space. I would have thought two ex-bats might be good.
you can just level the ground and just put the slabs down onto the soil that way if you ever need to move the house and slabs at any time it will make things easier but if you can add a roof over the whole house but of course high enough so you can get to the house and prevent as much rain getting to it then it should last a good few years the only trick with these houses is dont get them wet .
i agree ex batts do make very wonderful pets and lay very well and also they are used to small spaces you may have to add your name to a list which can mean you might have to wait but in a way thats a good thing if your not totally sorted for getting any birds as it gives you time to do things properly and be organised :lol:
i agree ex batts do make very wonderful pets and lay very well and also they are used to small spaces you may have to add your name to a list which can mean you might have to wait but in a way thats a good thing if your not totally sorted for getting any birds as it gives you time to do things properly and be organised :lol:
Agree with Karminski about the slabs, loose laying them with spaces between will also help drainage as you'll want to hose them down sometimes and also it will get wet with rain. You'll then need to cover the slabs with something like hardwood chippings so the hens have something a bit nicer and softer for their feet, and to dig in, then you can pick up the pooey bits each day and keep it clean. Personally, instead of slabs, I would cover the run area with strong landscape fabric, fixing the edges down underneath and outside of thre run sides. This provides drainage and also will stop the birds scratching in the earth and making everything muddy and you can then lay woodchip, or like me, rubber chippings on top. The mess will still come from above in the form of poo, but not also from below in the form of mud.
Any chance of extending the end of the run to give more space? I agree with Chris about only two hybrids and avoiding breeds that don't tolerate confinement very well, but if you went for small bantams 3 would be OK. How big is the coop they roost in? How long and how many are the perches? that will affect the number you can keep comfortably, even if at some point you could consider a run extension.
Everything will stay much more comfortable, drier and cleaner if you cover the top of the wire on the run with something like white or clear plastic tarpaulin, which is cheap, easy to fix, lets light through but gives filtered shade. If you take it down the side which is facing the prevailing rain and wind the birds will greatly appreciate this shelter as well, as chickens need shade and hate wind. I got mine from Tarpaulins Direct at http://www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk/TarpaulinsSite/product/MN.htm and they're still going strong after nearly 3 years round the end and sides of my run. Yuo could even fix the tarp over the top of the coop, if you could do this without blocking any ventilation, as it would help to keep it dry. Don't worry about sealing the joins hermetically against draughts, chickens need lots and lots of ventilation, but you do need to make sure it's waterproof of course.
Any chance of extending the end of the run to give more space? I agree with Chris about only two hybrids and avoiding breeds that don't tolerate confinement very well, but if you went for small bantams 3 would be OK. How big is the coop they roost in? How long and how many are the perches? that will affect the number you can keep comfortably, even if at some point you could consider a run extension.
Everything will stay much more comfortable, drier and cleaner if you cover the top of the wire on the run with something like white or clear plastic tarpaulin, which is cheap, easy to fix, lets light through but gives filtered shade. If you take it down the side which is facing the prevailing rain and wind the birds will greatly appreciate this shelter as well, as chickens need shade and hate wind. I got mine from Tarpaulins Direct at http://www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk/TarpaulinsSite/product/MN.htm and they're still going strong after nearly 3 years round the end and sides of my run. Yuo could even fix the tarp over the top of the coop, if you could do this without blocking any ventilation, as it would help to keep it dry. Don't worry about sealing the joins hermetically against draughts, chickens need lots and lots of ventilation, but you do need to make sure it's waterproof of course.
Thanks for the opinions everyone.
We bought a coop from ebay in the end, not a Cocoon but managed to get it for a decent price. It's up and seems fairly decent so far, it's rained quite a bit and it's stayed nice and dry inside, although it will need re treated at some point in the next few months.
We bought a coop from ebay in the end, not a Cocoon but managed to get it for a decent price. It's up and seems fairly decent so far, it's rained quite a bit and it's stayed nice and dry inside, although it will need re treated at some point in the next few months.
It would be really good to know how you get on with yours Wyrd. I think you are right in that I think mine will need another good coat of preservative in a few months but yes like yours it has rained and it's faired well so far....
I've laid the slabs onto bare earth as suggested and I plan to extend the run at some point but for now I'll keep it as it is and just get two nice calm girls to pop in it.
I've managed to sweet talk a local tree surgeon into giving me a few good wheelbarrow loads of hardwood chippings for free so I'll pop those down so it's softer on their feet. I plan to get a sheet or two of clear acrylic to wind proof the run a bit more as it's a north facing garden. Where they are positioned currently they'll get all the morning sunshine, dappled at mid day and then some more shade into the afternoon so hopefully the best place for when it warms up in summer.
All being well I'll be able to collect them this coming Saturday and settle them in.
I've hopefully managed to attach a photo. It obviously needs the chippings in the run but if anyone has any ideas on anything I could improve on for my forthcoming 2 girls as I want them to be as happy and comfortable as possible.
I've laid the slabs onto bare earth as suggested and I plan to extend the run at some point but for now I'll keep it as it is and just get two nice calm girls to pop in it.
I've managed to sweet talk a local tree surgeon into giving me a few good wheelbarrow loads of hardwood chippings for free so I'll pop those down so it's softer on their feet. I plan to get a sheet or two of clear acrylic to wind proof the run a bit more as it's a north facing garden. Where they are positioned currently they'll get all the morning sunshine, dappled at mid day and then some more shade into the afternoon so hopefully the best place for when it warms up in summer.
All being well I'll be able to collect them this coming Saturday and settle them in.
I've hopefully managed to attach a photo. It obviously needs the chippings in the run but if anyone has any ideas on anything I could improve on for my forthcoming 2 girls as I want them to be as happy and comfortable as possible.
Attachments
I don't seem to be able to see your picture Wyrd. It's so exciting though isn't it. I can't wait till Saturday comes and I can get them moved in.
I can see Saturday night being a restless one of me in my pj's sneaking out with a torch to check on them to make sure they are ok!07
I can see Saturday night being a restless one of me in my pj's sneaking out with a torch to check on them to make sure they are ok!
07
