Greenhouse to coop

[RyderTheChicken]

I have a unused greenhouse in our backyard. I am wondering if i can make it into a new coop

 

[21hens-incharge]

That depends on its construction.

Is it wood and glass or metal and glass?

Can you post a picture?

 

[RyderTheChicken]

It

That depends on its construction.

Is it wood and glass or metal and glass?

Can you post a picture?

is some sort of plastic.
And I cannot take a picture, because I am currently not at my house

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would hesitate to convert a greenhouse to a coop that is plastic.

The reason being.....
if I couldn't remove most of the panels and put wood in it could become very hot for the birds on a sunny day.

Do some experiments maybe?
Put a thermometer in there and check at least 3 times a day recording the temps for several weeks. That would give you a good read on what the temperature swings will be.

 

[Melky]

It’s probably acrylic or polycarbonate and while this may be ok in the winter, they would roast in the summer.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes summer would be awful in a greenhouse.

 

[RyderTheChicken]

Yes summer would be awful in a greenhouse.[/QUOTE
If this helps at all the material that the greenhouse is made out of is polycarbonate

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Guys! The OP lives in Anchorage Alaska! I don't think a green-house - with some good ventilation - would be too hot in the short Alaskan summer. I would be more worried about tbeing too cold in winter. PolyCarbonate is not a good insulator, you might have to cover some of the surfaces with styrofoam.

 

[21hens-incharge]

What is the framing made of?

If it's metal it would be very difficult to modify it for housing birds.

You'll need to consider the strength of the structure for snow load as well as what predators you have when modifying it.

My opinion is if it is wood framed it may be worth modifying. If it's metal frame I would likely scrap it and build a wood coop.
If going from scratch with a wood coop a few of the polycarb panels could be used to make windows.....

 

[Fishkeeper]

Not enough insulation, hard to ventilate, and possibly not durable enough to stand up to predators. It would hold in a dangerous amount of humidity. And, Alaska or not, greenhouses can heat up a lot in the sun. Plus, modifying it enough to get it to maybe work would probably cost more than buying the materials to make a new coop that's actually meant to be a coop.