Easy to build small coop ideas

[SurferchickinSB]

I am looking for ideas for a small easy to build preferable cheap coop for 3-6 bantams, The space I have is 4ft by 4ft at maximum It can only be 3ft by 4ft if it is not walk in.

I am thinking of turning a plastic play house in to a coop what are the pros and cons of doing that?

Hi there! I am thinking about doing the same thing! I have purchased a playhouse that is 4‘ x 4‘ x 5‘ tall and it cost about $200 US. I figure I will have to put in another $200 US and then if I decide to put a automatic coop door opener then another couple hundred. I wanted a separate coop from my big girls to house some Polish that I have on order coming in August.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

By easy I mean none fancy box or converting something else in to a coop like a shed or play house, prefabs are ridiculously expensive for what they are.
most coops I can find are too complicated or have other problems like not enough ventilation, nesting boxes same hight as roosts and too small or too big.
Also I have no building or chicken experience, I am not sure what is a bad idea and what isn’t, I am hoping people who have built and used different coops can help me, so I hopefully don’t need to do the same mistakes they have.

Also, don’t tell yourself you can’t do it! I never built anything until about four and a half years ago when I built my big girl coop. I built that from scratch and it is 4’ x 8’ and then has a large run.I would just advise you to get started as soon as possible and that way you won’t be stressed out! Make it a enjoyable learning experience! I built my coop before I even ordered my girls.

 

[SpotTheCat]

Also, don’t tell yourself you can’t do it! I never built anything until about four and a half years ago when I built my big girl coop. I built that from scratch and it is 4’ x 8’ and then has a large run.I would just advise you to get started as soon as possible and that way you won’t be stressed out! Make it a enjoyable learning experience! I built my coop before I even ordered my girls.

currently we are trying to build the run first.
Do you mind sharing what you are going to do and if you can pictures of the play house please?
its fine if you don’t want to.
Thank you for the encouragement.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I am not doing

currently we are trying to build the run first.
Do you mind sharing what you are going to do and if you can pictures of the play house please?
its fine if you don’t want to.
Thank you for the encouragement.

I am not doing anything right now, I just had rotator cuff surgery and the Playhouse is in a box in my garage. I am thinking about elevating it or just putting it on some pallets, so it doesn’t get wet. I prefer to have a solid floor that cannot be dug under. I also prefer to have some thing where I can go inside, that’s why I’m thinking about elevating it. I guess I can hunch over. The Playhouse also has windows all around and I will be covering them with the hardware cloth and I also add screen because I don’t like flies or mosquitoes in the coop. I will add a roost with poop board underneath and my nest boxes will most likely be kitty litter boxes with lids and then I might put another piece of plywood on top of that for a table where I can put there food and water. I might cover some of the windows with plank fencing or a piece of plywood because there is so many windows and I think it will be too drafty. I will also probably have to make an adjustment on the roof, because it does not look like it has enough overhang to keep it from getting wet. When I build things I just kind of go with the flow!

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I am not doing

I am not doing anything right now, I just had rotator cuff surgery and the Playhouse is in a box in my garage. I am thinking about elevating it or just putting it on some pallets, so it doesn’t get wet. I prefer to have a solid floor that cannot be dug under. I also prefer to have some thing where I can go inside, that’s why I’m thinking about elevating it. I guess I can hunch over. The Playhouse also has windows all around and I will be covering them with the hardware cloth and I also add screen because I don’t like flies or mosquitoes in the coop. I will add a roost with poop board underneath and my nest boxes will most likely be kitty litter boxes with lids and then I might put another piece of plywood on top of that for a table where I can put there food and water. I might cover some of the windows with plank fencing or a piece of plywood because there is so many windows and I think it will be too drafty. I will also probably have to make an adjustment on the roof, because it does not look like it has enough overhang to keep it from getting wet. When I build things I just kind of go with the flow!

Here is a photo of the Playhouse I plan to work with. I haven’t even open the box yet because of my arm, so I don’t know the quality of the wood, but for this year I figure this is all I can handle.

 

[CinnaBun]

Here are some photos of plastic playhouse coops. Most of these coops are made from simple playhouses that come apart easily and can fit in an suv or minivan. (Little Tikes Log Cabin or Country Cottage are good options. Some of the newer playhouses have a lot of screws- which is fine, just more time to take apart.)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/post-pics-of-your-little-tikes-coop.355903/#post-4575989

Here are a couple of really cute coops-
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cottage-playhouse-plastic-chicken-coop.69399/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/recycled-castle-playhouse-coop.757868/

 

[SpotTheCat]

Here are some photos of plastic playhouse coops. Most of these coops are made from simple playhouses that come apart easily and can fit in an suv or minivan. (Little Tikes Log Cabin or Country Cottage are good options. Some of the newer playhouses have a lot of screws- which is fine, just more time to take apart.)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/post-pics-of-your-little-tikes-coop.355903/#post-4575989

Here are a couple of really cute coops-
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cottage-playhouse-plastic-chicken-coop.69399/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/recycled-castle-playhouse-coop.757868/

Thank you,
Thats very helpful.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Here are some photos of plastic playhouse coops. Most of these coops are made from simple playhouses that come apart easily and can fit in an suv or minivan. (Little Tikes Log Cabin or Country Cottage are good options. Some of the newer playhouses have a lot of screws- which is fine, just more time to take apart.)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/post-pics-of-your-little-tikes-coop.355903/#post-4575989

Here are a couple of really cute coops-
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cottage-playhouse-plastic-chicken-coop.69399/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/recycled-castle-playhouse-coop.757868/

The gray castle is really cute! I think I will make mine into a gray and white beach house look!

 

[CinnaBun]

A beach house would be so cute.

Here is another neat example of a wooden playhouse coop. I love the kitty litter nest boxes.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/repurposed-playhouse-coop.1297539/#post-21117511

 

[SurferchickinSB]

A beach house would be so cute.

Here is another neat example of a wooden playhouse coop. I love the kitty litter nest boxes.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/repurposed-playhouse-coop.1297539/#post-21117511

Oops, my reply went to the other thread, LOL!