Converting a pergola into a chicken coop?

[ainla]

I have a cedar pergola in my LA yard which is basically a flop. It is 6 x 8 I think with an ornate top. Lovely in principle but I don't use it and want to repurpose it.
I am debating making it into a playhouse for my daughter (age 5) or a chicken coop (removing the fancy top and adding a roof, enclosing the 4 x4 s with chicken wire and making a door to walk in. I know I would have to make the interior house. Any suggestions? I can supply pictures tomorrow. I think a chicken coop would be less expensive and she would prefer the coop. Her friend has one and she loves it.

Thanks in advance. Also, family medical emergency -- very scary -- and researching chickens and landscaping is calming. Go figure!

 

[cknkids]

Consider using 1/2" hardware cloth not chicken wire, safer. For a few hens some use a dog house, and in S. CA you won't need much protection from cold, heat is more of a problem. Also, I never imagin how relaxing and calming, chickens would be.

 

[RaccoonRancher]

Recycling or repurposing is a great idea for chicken coops....Every time I see one of the 2 story kids playhouse / swing / slide being torn down I think of chicken coops....the house itself being the coop, the underside used as part of the enclosed run attached with the a frame... the swing portion used as an A frame chicken wire coop, ditching the slide....keeping the swings might just be entertaining ..There are hundreds of great ideas in the coops picture section to give you ideas.....I started off with a Predator proof 48" dog airline kennel for 2 chicks, 1/2" x 1/2" welded wire over the vents & door to prevent cats & coons paws entering.......don't forget the bottom, as coons, or dogs if you have any, will dig under.....My end coop will be a little tykes 4' x 5' Log Cabin, with all the windows & floors guarded by 1/2" x 1' welded wire on the inside, with a solid wood door for entry instead of the 1/2 door....the doors all close for weather protection, & the roof is re-attached with brackets.....My City Slicker Coop I'm sure you will get many ideas you can work with from the many hundreds of design ideas on the Coops section....Keep in mind Predator Proofing,ease of cleaning, ventilation, ease of access, & a small light to make your life simple....good luck!! RR