Product Review: Chick-N-Hutch

 

As a cage for the time when I just had ducks and no chicken, many years ago, I used a rabbit hutch that i took off its stilts.  But, when I got my Pet chicken, the poor girl needed a perch!  So, I decided to purchase a Chick-N-Hutch.  I bought it for around $150-190  shipping included (it was over a year ago, so i don’t remember exactly) plus an extra 10-20 dollars for a large nesting box (it is just too large in my opinion).

 

The Chick-N-Hutch

 

The cage is pretty large and is good for a backyard flock.   Here are the specs:

Durable, sturdy design

Full fold-down front

Hinged, waterproof shingle roof

Easy-access egg door

Removable wind guards and adjustable perch

Made with exterior-grade plywood

Lasting non-toxic red stain

Easy to clean

Dimensions: 3 ft. 6 in. L x 2 ft. W x 3 ft. 2 in. H

The product was good for a teenager like me to put up.  It took me less then 90 minutes to put the entire thing together, which I’m very happy about.  It was easy to do and had pretty good instructions.

The cage is pretty big, and will probably fit a max of 5 chickens on it’s perch.  the perch goes down the middle, so you can fit about 2 chickens and 2 ducks in it with the nesting box, and maybe 3 of each without the nesting box.  You can probably fit a max of about 5 ducks in there as well, but without the perch.  I think the nesting box is a bit large seeing as it is way to big for one chicken, and way to small for 2 to go in at once.  If you are handy with wood, then go ahead and make your own.  It shouldn’t be to tough.  This is not a cage which you can keep your animals in more then just too keep safe at night and before you wake up to let them out.  You need the Chick-N-Pen for that.

 

The cage is definently not perfect.  I have had some problems with it.

1. There is a bottom trade which slides in that the poop is suppose to go into, so you can slide it out and poor the poop out.  Not only is it heavy and flimsy, the thin piece of wood which you slide it on bent rather quickly (few months) , so it just sits on the floor now.

2. The slide locks move a little bit and when wet the wood swells a bit, so sometimes  when you try to slide the lock, it hits the metal and will not close.  It can get very annoying, but you have to take a hammer and hit it the correct way (no to hard, or you will make it worse by closing the hole!) so that it will slide in again.

3. The hinge broke.  After about a year, I have absolutely no idea how, but the hinge snapped off and I had to buy a new one and re-drill holes to fix the door.  It wouldn’t be a big deal if they didn’t sell the size in stores, and the screws weren’t rusted into place and unmoveable.  I just feel like the hinge should last longer then a year.

Other then that, the cage has been good and nothing has gotten to my animals when inside of it.  It does its job.  I’m happy with it 100% if not for the 3 things above.

 

Would i reccomend it?:

I guess so.  If you can deal with the small problems, its a good cage.  An animals has never gotten into it, so it is good enough for me.  I looked all over the internet, and you don’t find much for this price at this size.  Overall, it’s not that bad on the eyes either.  It’s the obvious way to go if you are not handy enough to  make your own cage, but are on a budget on buying one.

 

*There is also an option to buy a run specially built for it, so that it connects perfectly.  It is called the Chick-N-Pen.  I did not decie to get it, cause I didn’t really need it.  Also, because it isn’t cheap at around 145 dollars.  I would reccomend making your own pen at that ridiculous price, even though it is big, closed in, and safe.  If you really don’t want to make one, then I’d say buy it.  It looks good to me.

The Chick-N-Pen

 

FYI: If you buy this, do not buy a perch!  It comes with one!  But no one told me that though.

Remember, this is not the best cage you can get.  This is the best bargain cage for someone with a few ducks and chickens in my opinion.  If you want more room for your ducks, you can get a Chick-N-Barn (yes all this stuff is made from the same company) or any other larger cage.  The bigger, the better, as long as it is safe.  Spend as much money as you want.  If you see a cage you think is good, and you want to know what I think, go ahead and post a comment and i’ll help you out.  If you want to save money and make one for yourself, go ahead and make one.  Buy some blue prints and get your materials.  Or make one from scratch.  Just know that building a cage always isn’t cheaper in the end, and sometimes not worth it.  Lumber isn’t cheap and you may be suprised at how much building a cage may cost you.  Get a cost estimate before deciding to go ahead and build one.  Make sure that you are capable, and the cage is Predator-Proof.  Look it over many times and make sure no animals can get in or out unless you want it too.  Do this with ALL cages, bought or made.  Any questions on building your own, just ask.

Remember: In their cage, ALWAYS have a good amount of hay/straw on the bottom of  the cage, especially in the colder months.  It helps keep them warm and cozy.  Clean the hay when it gets poop on the top of the hay and starts to smell bad.

 Thanks