Anyone convert a wooden swingset into a chicken coop? Need ideas.

[photo chick]

Did you ever build the swing set coop? Just curious as I'm about to build one too. Here's what I have to work with...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2253652#p2253652

I'd love to hear or see what you ended up doing

 

[BirdBrain]

No, I had a civil revolt when I mentioned to the kids that their swingset was going to house chickens. I found a hotel that was just finishing being built and was able to get a lot of really good wood (even scaffolding boards) from the owner.

I would suggest that you go online and do a search for google sketchup which is a wonderful FREE 3-D modeling tool. That really helped me visualize and share my vision with others before a single dollar was spent.

You have a much better structure to star with than what I had!

 

[phillyfarmer]

Hey All!

I am new to chickens etc...but what I read is that cedar is not good for the chickens. I think the playsets are made of cedar? Just a thought.

Does anyone else know about this?

 

[photo chick]

Thats a good point. Luckily my swingset is not made of cedar.

 

[arlee453]

Cedar beams would be fine as a building material. I wouldn't use it as siding or panelling on the INSIDE of the coop where the odor would be noticible in the enclosed space, but for the support beams it shouldn't cause any problems.

The problem with cedar is as a BEDDING - you don't want to use cedar shavings as a bedding due to the aromatic oils that can irritate and sicken the chicks - this goes for a most small animals as well - hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.

Some folks do mix a small amount of cedar in with pine, etc to help control odor and insect pets, but I'd not mix more than 20% cedar to the wood shavings. Frankly personally I just stay away from the cedar all together....

Hope this helps clear up the confusion.

 

[dixygirl]

Here is one similar
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=16349
I would just staple welded wire fencing or chicken wire over most of it instead of all that wood. Andjust make a small part wooden for a dry safe night enclosure. Maybe cover all of the frame with welded wire and add a little dog house inside.

 

[Bonquiqui]

I built one with my family... check out my profile for a picture

 

[rochelle1021]

 

[rochelle1021]

Just finished run person door today... Just need one more day if warm weather to paint.., otherwise will have to wait till soring