Greenhouse chicken run?

[Rubyfox]

I have been offered a greenhouse, now I know I will have to remove all the glass, but do you know if this is a good idea or not? Can you leave the glass on the roof?
Any picture of them converted will be very welcome. Thanks

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I would replace the roof too, or it will get dangerously hot inside. Plus a glass roof is not particularly strong and could cave in if snow builds up.

 

[Rubyfox]

Its plasic not glass will I still have to remove it all? Thinking about keeping the 4 piece's near to where the coop will be and removing the others? The coop will be on the outside of this . Thanks

 

[PapaChaz]

if you're taking the plastic off the sides, I wouldn't take the roof off. I would consider a through the roof vent of some type, but I wouldn't take it off.

 

[Rubyfox]

Thats

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if you're taking the plastic off the sides, I wouldn't take the roof off. I would consider a through the roof vent of some type, but I wouldn't take it off.
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That's what I was thinking, fingers crossed it come down easily lol

 

[yellowchicks]

I would love to have your greenhouse chicken run!

First, repair all the roof panels, use some of the side panels if necessary. A covered run would make deep litter method so much easier and pleasant. Not to mention that your chickens will have a more enjoyable outdoor space without getting wet and muddy. Leave the remaining side panels in place to shield some wind. Wherever there is an empty panel left, hand tie the 1/2" hardware cloth onto the metal frame with galvanized steel wire.

See the picture below for those meticulous handy work by my teens. They welded the steel tube frame and hand tie all the hardware cloth.

By the time I was done with winterizing our run with all the additional clear polycarbonate panels on the sides. it looked like a greenhouse anyway. You have a solid frame to work with, it will be a beautiful and functional chicken run!

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

I second yellowchicks ideas, and will add the thought of getting some 80% shade cloth to hang on the inside of the roof, that will keep the interior temps down. Keep the side panels for use in the winter, you can always cut them for ventilation or adapt them to swing on hinges. Roof venting is a great way to get airflow in a greenhouse when combined with low side vents you get an updraft that is very cooling (That's the way the plantation houses were cooled prior to the invention of Air conditioning).

 

[Rubyfox]

Thank you so much for your advice both of you and I just hope hubby says yes to it all now watch this space lol

 

[Rubyfox]

Well after 4.30 hours of taking the greenhouse down its back in my garden, all the clear perspex sheets are there (they just blew out, so going to ensure there fitted better this time) but looks like a jigsaw puzzle on my grass arrrrrrrrrr with me luck lol Which side pannels would you leave out, the ones near to the door?

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

I would probably replace the panel on the extreme right (by the door) and halve the roof panels at the opposite end of the green house. This would give an updraft air flow, if there is a matching panel on the other side of the door (open in this picture) then I would replace it also. If you don't want to cut any of the panels, just replace the whole thing. I'd use 1/2" hardware cloth and maybe even frame these so they can be easy in and out, that part would be best decided by you and how that frame allows for retrofitting.

it appears that there may be two frames that are for auto opening or manual opening on the roof (look at second roof panel on left side of this picture) that would also be a good place to have open for air flow.

You also have the option of making the whole of the sides hardware cloth covered and just use the panels for winter time.