Converting A Playhouse - tips & suggestions please

[AmyRF25]

Hi,

I'm going to make this cute log cabin play house into a coop for some bantam chickens (i don't have the chickens yet). The house is about 5 x 6 and it has a solid wood floor - my first question is should I make a cement pad to place the coop on? I really don't want the coop raised off the ground, but I know that if i leave it sitting on the ground it'll rot quicker...so what do you all suggest?

Also I saw some of you have tile or linomlen on the inside floors of your coops, are you guys happy with this?

I'm going to hardware cloth all the windows to help make it predator safe (I live in Northest PA - hawks, and foxes are mainly what i'm worried about) and I will be making a run also.

Any other suggestions are appreciated, I feel I'm going to be asking lots of questions as I move along with this project.

Thanks in advance!

Amy

 

[ellie32526]

Hi,

I'm going to make this cute log cabin play house into a coop for some bantam chickens (i don't have the chickens yet). The house is about 5 x 6 and it has a solid wood floor - my first question is should I make a cement pad to place the coop on? I really don't want the coop raised off the ground, but I know that if i leave it sitting on the ground it'll rot quicker...so what do you all suggest?

Also I saw some of you have tile or linomlen on the inside floors of your coops, are you guys happy with this?

I'm going to hardware cloth all the windows to help make it predator safe (I live in Northest PA - hawks, and foxes are mainly what i'm worried about) and I will be making a run also.

Any other suggestions are appreciated, I feel I'm going to be asking lots of questions as I move along with this project.

Thanks in advance!

Amy

Very Cute! I know you said you didn't want to raise it off the ground but if you are concerned about it rotting due to moisture you might want to pick up a few 12"X12" paver stones at a hardware store to put under it and raise it off the ground a little. that way it doesn't have direct contact with the ground. Make sure you have enough to properly support it.

There are some really good options with a raised coop, the ramp can be underneath or on the side and the coop itself can provide shade in the hottest parts of the day. I also have bird netting over the hens yard to discourage hawks. I think my greatest threat is from hawks. If you are not going to use bird netting over the yard, the raised coop will provide a place for the hens to run to for cover in case of hawks or owls.

I have linoleum on my floor and I like it. Helps to make the coop easier to clean. I did not paint inside my coop, but I plan to do that this summer when it gets a little warmer so I can keep the chickens outside until it dries. Painted surfaces are easier to keep clean and make the bare wood less inviting to insects. I haven't had any trouble with mites or lice yet. Keep in mind that your pop door needs to be south facing. I didn't take that into account when I placed my pop door and the north wind blows right into my coop in the winter. I am trying to figure out a way to either re-position my house (yeah right!) or put in a pop door on a different wall.

I can't really tell from the pic but how will you get the eggs - will you go inside or are you going to add a nest box on the outside? If the nest box is on the outside make sure you use a good closure to prevent raccoons from opening it.

Hardware cloth is smart. Every opening needs to be covered with HC.

My ramp folds up at night like a drawbridge. So I have a double closure. I have posted a lot of pics on my profile page if you want to look.
Good Luck to you.