How It Works
Every coop we build is custom-made with care, craftsmanship, and your specific needs in mind. Here’s how the process works from start to finish:
1. Reach Out
Start by sending us an email through our Contact Page or directly at Hello@MellottChickenCoops.com. Let us know what size coop you’re interested in, how many chickens you plan to keep, where you’re located, and if the build would be able to be delivered fully assembled. We’re happy to answer any questions and help you figure out what will work best for your flock.
2. Customize Your Coop
We’ll work with you one-on-one to customize your coop. From size and layout to add-ons like run space or nesting box access—we’ll make sure it fits your needs. Once we finalize the details, we’ll provide a price quote and our next available delivery timeframe.
3. Reserve Your Spot
To officially get on our build calendar, we require a $200 non-refundable deposit. Because we’re a small, family-run business with limited build capacity, each deposit holds a spot that could have gone to another family ready to order. Once that slot is taken, we often have to turn others away for that timeframe.
In addition to reserving your delivery date, the deposit also helps cover the time and care that goes into planning your custom build—from detailed communication and invoicing to creating your personalized schematics.
*Thank you for understanding that we’re doing our best to run a hands-on business while giving every customer the time, quality, and attention they deserve.
4. Preparing Your Coop Site
While not required, we highly recommend laying a foundation before your coop arrives to help deter digging predators and extend the life of your coop. The easiest and most cost-effective method we suggest is using 1×1 square pavers, which can be found at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
Most of our standard coops come with open floors, and setting your coop on pavers creates a solid base that discourages digging predetors. Even for coops with subfloors, this added foundation—paired with our use of pressure-treated boards for the sill—can greatly increase durability over time.
🛠️ Important: Many customers wait until the last minute to lay their foundation and don’t realize how much effort it can take. We strongly encourage prepping your site well in advance of your delivery date.
While a full paver foundation is optional, having a level surface is absolutely required. An uneven base can cause serious issues with proper assembly and can prevent doors or features from functioning as intended.
5. Coop Delivery Timeline
The week before your scheduled delivery, Tori will personally reach out to confirm the exact delivery time.
6. Delivery Day
To ensure a smooth delivery, the path from where our truck and trailer (a 26ft gooseneck) will be parked to your desired coop location must be completely clear of any obstacles prior to delivery. The builds will be placed on rollers separately and rolled fully assembled to your designated spot to be attached. Please check for obstacles including gates, eaves, overhangs, tight turns, landscaping plants, tree limbs, steps, or uneven ground that could make maneuvering difficult.
If you’re receiving a prefab build—a coop we build so we can take it apart in panels and reassemble for you—we require a short video of the delivery path. This helps us prepare for your specific setup and determine whether additional help or equipment is needed. In some cases, delivery through tight or tricky spaces may require additional labor or planning.
*Pre-fab builds will not be scheduled until photos or videos of the delivery pathway are submitted.