children playhouse conversion!

[MamaJohnson]

Quote:
Thank you! yes, the coop is closed, but I have a door to get in an out. We don't have too much to worry about, just badgers and foxes so that's why it's enclosed.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/48410_p4097175.jpg

Awesome. Good Job!

 

[mboreham1]

Hey Easton Coop, i am an Englishman here in America, welcome to the relaxing world of chicken keeping. Coop looks excellent, i am trying to persuade my Dad to convert my little sisters old playhouse into a coop, nothing better than fresh eggs.

I think a mate of mine paid something like 5 or 6 pounds (sorry no stirling symbol on my keyboard!) per chick. If you have an auction near you you can get them cheaper and already laying, i promise you though, after a couple months with them you will want to raise some chicks, so go easy on the initial purchase and spread out the additions over time! I pay about 2 pounds per chick here.

I know a lot of the same breeds are available, i assume you are allowed roosters, i have never heard of an area not allowing them at home, so you could always raise them from eggs and cut the cost there. If you want eggs and good layers, try a rhode island red or plymouth barred rock. The Sussex are beautiful chickens, rarer over here but my mate has loads of them.

Good luck, just make sure Fantastic Mr Fox doesnt come and pay you a visit!

Matt (currently in California, from Northamptonshire originally)

 

[easton coop]

the time has come my friends on BYC! Yes I'm committing! hopefully by tonight we will have 4 bantam hens. we are all very excited (me the most). The coop is all clean, hay on floor, shavings in boxes, feeders and water ready and the sun is shining.

I am really excited, it has taken months to build the house and run as I have used as much recycled materials as possible, the whole thing has only cost £50 plus £8 per hen!!

I will post pictures of our new girls very soon!!

 

[Jen71]

This is very exciting! I can't wait to see pics of your new girls in that amazing coop and run.

 

[MotherJean]

I am new to BYC and coming back to chickens after 25 years. Picked up a Little Tykes playhouse to convert to the first coop for the Light Brahma chicks (6) I've been brooding. Have you converted these before? I'm kinda stuck on how to close up a couple of big window-type areas. Have struck out on finding recycled windows small enough. Thinking I may have to build my own. the openings are arched so I'll need to make some sort of flap to cover the arched part and start a square window below that (I assume). All openings except door will have hardware cloth, of course. One of those big openings I hope to convert to a nesting box hanging outside the coop. Any other advice you folks may have would be most appreciated.

 

[frankenchick]

1) Welcome to all the noobs who posted!

2) Easton Coop: Woww! Nice work!

 

[easton coop]

Quote:
Hi motherjean. My windows have perspex in them as they are safer than glass. This would bend into shape, or you could just build flat windows. you could post an image, which may help in deciding a way forward. Welcome back to hen land!

 

[easton coop]

Yes these are the new girls on the block! After a short drive home I released them into the run, after a noisy hour or so, they were calm. They put themselves to bed and had a good nights sleep. This morning I could see them from the kitchen peering through the windows of the coop. I let them into the run for some lovely sunshine! they seem relaxed this morning considering it's a bit of a change for them. They did live free range and are a bit wild, but I have seen them responding to my voice already and doing all the usual hen things!

I'm not sure what bread they are! the cock was a black silkie, therefore they are a mix, 3 have feathers on their legs and a fluffy head! Also not sure if they are bantams as the seem quite large. However I am very happy with them and they are brining joy already.

I did get an egg today! but it had been trodden on and the shell was quite thin, maybe due to stress or not enough grit! I will keep you all informed.

Enjoy the picture and thank you to everyone for your kind wishes and help

 

[san415]

Great looking hens, maybe they need some oyster shell?

 

[easton coop]

Had an egg laid this morning!