Cedar Rabbit Hutch Re-Do -- Run Qs on Page 3

[SunnyAlberta]

I just found this used homemade hutch for $25!



What could I do to make it work as a coop for 2--4 laying hens? It has 12 square feet on the floor, 52" x 29" x 32" high.

Hubby says that cedar needs no paint. Do you agree or is there an advantage to a painted surface when it comes cleaning time?

We get a lot of dry wind and it can get very cold in winter, so I'll have to add panels to the screen doors to eliminate drafts when necessary. I wonder about using bales of straw to surround it in wintertime.

Thanks in advance for your ideas. No, I haven't planned a run yet.

 

[freebyrd]

I just found this used homemade hutch for $25!



What could I do to make it work as a coop for 2--4 laying hens? It has 12 square feet on the floor, 52" x 29" x 32" high.

Hubby says that cedar needs no paint. Do you agree or is there an advantage to a painted surface when it comes cleaning time?

We get a lot of dry wind and it can get very cold in winter, so I'll have to add panels to the screen doors to eliminate drafts when necessary. I wonder about using bales of straw to surround it in wintertime.

Thanks in advance for your ideas. No, I haven't planned a run yet.

 

[freebyrd]

I just found this used homemade hutch for $25!



What could I do to make it work as a coop for 2--4 laying hens? It has 12 square feet on the floor, 52" x 29" x 32" high.

Hubby says that cedar needs no paint. Do you agree or is there an advantage to a painted surface when it comes cleaning time?

We get a lot of dry wind and it can get very cold in winter, so I'll have to add panels to the screen doors to eliminate drafts when necessary. I wonder about using bales of straw to surround it in wintertime.

Thanks in advance for your ideas. No, I haven't planned a run yet.

looks like a good find. looks sturdy. usually cedar does well without painting, but it being porous it will harbor bacteria. it will also absorb moisture(ammonia and water) but painting will make it easier to clean and help keep smell down. it will weather, expand and contract and split. again, paint will help this. at least use a good water sealer on the floor. I'd replace the hardware cloth with ply wood to protect them against the wind. add a pop hole. an external nest box. a couple roosting perches and poo boards for super easy cleaning. food and waterer. don't forget to add ventilation. and maybe a lil window but screen it with hardware cloth to keep pests out. and a latter board and run. seems like a lot for chickens, but they will thank you.

 

[Life is Good!]

GREAT FIND!

If that left side goes down to the ground (that's open in the picture above), you've got your ramp for your hens! Just put a few pieces of scrap to use as 'steps' so the hens can get some traction if it's raining....and viola, one chicken ramp!

I see you're in Alberta, so yes, I'd probably retro-fit a piece of plywood to fit inside the front doors - but leaving a 'window' cut into the plywood for ventilation (perhaps more like a slit at the top). However, you're in warm enough summertimes to leave the existing hardware cloth as is, so you have the best of both worlds. (Using window sash closures would allow the piece of plywood to fit over the existing hardware cloth during wintertime, take plywood off for summertime).

Perhaps using the space underneath the enclosure as the place for food and water will provide you with more 'interior' space for roosting and dust bathing (if using pine shavings in bottom). I'd likely make a roost bar that is attached to the right side of the coop, and is suspended from the ceiling with a brace or bracket so there is more room to get around (you and the hens).

One other thing I'd think about (in a more snowy climate) is using plywood around the three sides of the base (a door along the back large edge), so winter winds don't knock over the food, should you decide to put it down there.

Have fun!

 

[SunnyAlberta]

...painting will make it easier to clean and help keep smell down. it will weather, expand and contract and split. again, paint will help this.

Thanks, freebyrd. I hadn't thought about the odor issue. We have neighbours closeby, so keeping the coop clean is very important to me.

Quote:
Great ideas, LiG! Thank you.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

I could be getting birds as early as this week! I've selected Buff Orpington, Columbian Wyandottes, Barred Rock, White Laced Cochin and Salmon Faverolles and have contacted local breeders to see what might be available. I'm debating if I should bring home two (to start), three or four (my max).

 

[SunnyAlberta]

My debate over breeds, quantity and source:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/659395/i-want-four-hens-should-i-start-with-two-or-four-pullets

 

[SunnyAlberta]

Tonight we go to get three pullets, a Buff Orpington, a Columbian Wyandotte, and a Barred Plymouth Rock. We opted to get them all from the same place so we wouldn't be risking disease. Hubby thinks we should get a fourth from the same breeder. I'd rather wait for the exotics sale in Milo next month and maybe bring home something special. I'm still holding out for an Easter Egger or a Salmon Faverolles.

Last night we purchased starter/grower feed from Peavey Mart, two waterers ("one for inside and one for outside," Hubby says), and a feed tray. They are nothing like the PVC tube contraptions I had imagined, but this is what Hubby wanted to get. We'll see how we do with them. We already own a heated dog dish that we can set a waterer in for when temperatures dip; it could go below freezing again.

Princess Auto had an amazing clearance price on large, electric dog house mats, $30. I had wanted one for the coop for freezing nights, but they sold out and pet stores want a ridiculous price, $130. I'll keep my eye on Kijiji for a second hand heated pad or even an insulated tarp. Peavey Mart does have heat lamps if we need one.

Hubby doesn't like my idea of using a found branch as a perch; he says it will split as we try to mount it. He had suggested we buy a parrot perch, but at $20 each and the need for three, we decided to pass. He's likely buying lumber today, instead.

I found a small Rubbermaid bin at home that should make a durable and cleanable nest box. We must get straw for inside.



We'll have a plexiglass floor, I'm told. Easy to clean but more durable than plastic. Currently the hutch has a wire floor that I know is a no-no.

Hubby still doesn't think we need to paint the inside of the coop, but after seeing many photos of poopy coops, I am not willing to give up my cause. At the least, I may still get some corrugated plastic sheets to go inside.

I'll add photos of the girls in the coop tomorrow. I'm getting excited and scared for my first chicken adventure.

 

[freebyrd]

Tonight we go to get three pullets, a Buff Orpington, a Columbian Wyandotte, and a Barred Plymouth Rock. We opted to get them all from the same place so we wouldn't be risking disease. Hubby thinks we should get a fourth from the same breeder. I'd rather wait for the exotics sale in Milo next month and maybe bring home something special. I'm still holding out for an Easter Egger or a Salmon Faverolles.

Last night we purchased starter/grower feed from Peavey Mart, two waterers ("one for inside and one for outside," Hubby says), and a feed tray. They are nothing like the PVC tube contraptions I had imagined, but this is what Hubby wanted to get. We'll see how we do with them. We already own a heated dog dish that we can set a waterer in for when temperatures dip; it could go below freezing again.

Princess Auto had an amazing clearance price on large, electric dog house mats, $30. I had wanted one for the coop for freezing nights, but they sold out and pet stores want a ridiculous price, $130. I'll keep my eye on Kijiji for a second hand heated pad or even an insulated tarp. Peavey Mart does have heat lamps if we need one.

Hubby doesn't like my idea of using a found branch as a perch; he says it will split as we try to mount it. He had suggested we buy a parrot perch, but at $20 each and the need for three, we decided to pass. He's likely buying lumber today, instead.

I found a small Rubbermaid bin at home that should make a durable and cleanable nest box. We must get straw for inside.



We'll have a plexiglass floor, I'm told. Easy to clean but more durable than plastic. Currently the hutch has a wire floor that I know is a no-no.

Hubby still doesn't think we need to paint the inside of the coop, but after seeing many photos of poopy coops, I am not willing to give up my cause. At the least, I may still get some corrugated plastic sheets to go inside.

I'll add photos of the girls in the coop tomorrow. I'm getting excited and scared for my first chicken adventure.

the Plexiglas floor is a good idea. but you will definitely still need some kind of floor bedding (pine shavings). I'd surly paint it. you can use branches from the woods, just shave off all the bark(bark hold bacteria and is really difficult to clean). just predrill the holes where you will use screws to mount it with a hispeed drill to help not split. keep in mind that buff orps get rather large and will take up as much room a a Rhode island red hen. for winter heating of the coop, not really necessary but an ok idea. I wouldn't keep it any higher than 60° in winter. chickens can tolerate the cold so long as its not windy or drafty. but your on the rite track. keep posting ...

 

[freebyrd]

sry that last post was supposed to say that buff orps are the size of two Rhode island red hens...