The wood is as dry as the desert and not very strong. I primed it and painted it twice with outdoor waterproof paint. I also made my own bottom with plywood and tiled the floor with some leftover tile I found in my house. They will be sleeping in their coop in my garage until I buy some extra locks for the doors since I don't really trust the ones that came on it. My family assembled it, but from what I heard the directions aren't too hard, but it takes some brain power. Overall- good enough for the low price and needs some TLC to become weather and critter proof. If you're handy and have the time, go for it! Just reinforce almost all of it.