converting a greenhouse

[daddy_roo]

I have a green house about 30x40. It sets in an area where a lot of sun gets to it all day. I am thinking about making it into a hen house for the winter. It has electricity to it, and 2 exaust fans in the top for ventilation. I was thinking about putting plywood up 4 feet around the bottom in an effort to keep predators from getting in. (If they cant see them maybe they will leave them alone. A sliding front door for enterance, and a heater already in the building. What else will I need to do to it for winter. There are no drafts, and I am going to install the nest boxes, and roosts later this week probably. What do yall think?

 

[Alethea]

I love the idea of all that llight and it sounds lovely, but I wonder whether you'll be using a lot of electricity heating a 1200 sq. ft. glass house.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Gonna watch this thread. I have a small potting shed/hot house I am thinking of maybe using for a winter coop.

 

[remuda1]

Careful of the predators.... Even if they can't see them, they will be able to smell them. You don't say what the greenhouse is made of or what type it is so I would just make sure that it's good and predator proof. You might even be able to grow winter greens in there for them!! good luck with it and I hope you'll keep us posted as to how it's coming along

 

[ALRwild]

Sounds good to me. If it is wire, then be careful about predators, but if it is plastic, be careful about ventilation.

 

[daddy_roo]

Its accually a glass greenhouse. It has a cement bottom with 6 inches of gravel in thbottom ontop of the concrete. The posts that are in the greenhouse were set before the concrete was poured so they are also in the concrete. I will take some before and after pics to let yall see what happens.

 

[CrestedGirl]

 

[daddy_roo]

The only concern I have is it has gas heat, but as I think I have said before it has 2 vent fans in the top. Do you think the gas will bother the chickens? I spent a little time in it last winter and it was warm with no heat going. So I shouldnt need to use it much.