Advice on adding to existing small coop

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Being new to chickens (yes I'm hooked already) I would appreciate some advice. I have a portable greenhouse that I only used for gardening, no longer gardening now that the chickens went in the garden space. I was thinking of using it as the frame work to add on to the small coop, as the roosting area. Frame is 56" x 56". Use plywood on the sides(put in an access door for cleaning), on top use corrugated roof panels. Or would doing an all wood addit in be best? Pictures of what I have. I know the coop is too small for roosting, be more of a big nesting box. Have 3 rescue chickens (brahma, Plymouth rock, and EE). Knew the coop would be temporary.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Those greenhouses are pretty flimsy. I would just build from scratch.

@21hens-incharge , any thoughts?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Interesting idea there.

What is the frame made of?
I think it would be more challenging than building a large dog house style structure.

Any building experience? Tools?

A cattle panel hoop coop is fast and easy to build. Plenty of room to walk in to tend the birds which also gets you out of the weather too. Your current box could easily sit inside as the nest box.

Here is just one example. There are tons out there.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Interesting idea there.

What is the frame made of?
I think it would be more challenging than building a large dog house style structure.

Any building experience? Tools?

A cattle panel hoop coop is fast and easy to build. Plenty of room to walk in to tend the birds which also gets you out of the weather too. Your current box could easily sit inside as the nest box.

Here is just one example. There are tons out there.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

Hubby said scratch

Interesting idea there.

What is the frame made of?
I think it would be more challenging than building a large dog house style structure.

Any building experience? Tools?

A cattle panel hoop coop is fast and easy to build. Plenty of room to walk in to tend the birds which also gets you out of the weather too. Your current box could easily sit inside as the nest box.

Here is just one example. There are tons out there.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

The frame is a metal (with stood 60+ winds we got). Hubby said it would work, but he would rather do a wood frame. We both have building experience and have the tools. Figured a 4x4 roost (with a door for cleaning and a vent on each side) will be big enough for the 3 girls. Figured at least 5 Sq ft per girl in the roost.

 

[21hens-incharge]

A 2x4 works very well as a roost.
I made mine so I can take it out to clean both it and the coop.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

A 2x4 works very well as a roost.
I made mine so I can take it out to clean both it and the coop.

Giving plenty of room just in case of another addition or 2 lol

 

[21hens-incharge]

Ah I see. I think.

You are meaning multiple roosts?

Maybe it is just late for me lol.

I found my Brahma need some room to exit the roost in the morning. Kind of like a long landing space. They tend to land about 6' from the roost. I keep my roosts at 2' above the floor. Any higher and they risk injury when landing. Just something to keep in mind when you build.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Ah I see. I think.

You are meaning multiple roosts?

Maybe it is just late for me lol.

I found my Brahma need some room to exit the roost in the morning. Kind of like a long landing space. They tend to land about 6' from the roost. I keep my roosts at 2' above the floor. Any higher and they risk injury when landing. Just something to keep in mind when you build.

Not multiple roosts, in case of another chicken rescue...lol Thanks will not put over 2 ft above the floor. Kind of figured she needed one at about a foot too, make it easier for her to get up on the 2 ft.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Brahma are a sight to behold.



This is my Gretchen. She was very young here. Now she is a stout 10 pound hen. She is a dark Brahma.

Enjoy those rescues. Post pics of them when you get a chance.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

She is gorgeous! I always was laughing at Brahma (I called them by their breed, until I see their personities) when she was in the field. Love they way she runs. Wouldn't think she is fast but boy can she move.