grow out pen?

[tntchix]

I have the opportunity to grab this for a grow out pen for my 4 wk old chicks since coop isn't quite ready and need to get them out of house. I would put hardware cloth over every opening and secure door and floor. What do you guys think? ALL Opinions welcome.

I like that it is not a knockdown one, lots of ventilation and bigger than most play sets I've seen. Oh, and the cuteness factor.

 

[The Hustons]

I think it's so cute! Yea I think you sound like your already aware of the risk of predators & that it needs predator proofing! I say go for it & post pics when it's complete!!

 

[tntchix]

Missed the first opportunity, but am on the lookout for another one.

 

[SouthHouse]

I think it could be modified to be suitable housing for your chickens. We started our original flock of five in an old playhouse we found on the property.
We dragged it out of the woods using our tractor. Then my Mr. Muscle hubs and his two brothers lifted it up and placed it on an existing concrete pad, also found on the property.
Once in place I poured more concrete (Quickrete) inside to compensate for areas where walls didn't meet the floors. We painted it red with white trim and added window boxes.
We modified the existing window by adding chicken wire and changing the way it opens. A chicken door was cut out on one end. The nesting boxes were built on the interior and a door was cut into the side for easy access to the eggs.
Locking mechanisms were added to egg door, people door and window for safety.
A covered run was built adjoining the new coop. The chicken door allowed free access from run to coop during the day. A full size man door was added to the run so we could get in and out for cleaning and feeding.
The entire process was done over a series of weekends (months). Our original ideas for customizing the set-up were modified as we discovered what would work better for the chickens and the caretakers (us).
Since the entire process started (in April 2013), we have nearly doubled the flock. As a result, the original run has been enclosed and is now the new coop. A larger run has been added which adjoins the garden for the post season scratching pleasure of the chickens. We are currently developing ideas on how to enclose the garden to keep the chickens safe from predators.
The original coop has been put into service as a time-out coop for the rooster when he became the victim of some cannibalistic behavior from the hens. Next summer we plan to to use it as a nursery when we add new chicks to the flock. The new run is large enough to divide until the newcomers are big enough to join the flock.
Needless to say, but our family has become addicted to chickens. We experienced the joy of hatching chicks from eggs laid by our original flock. It's been an incurable addiction since then. I came here today to find inspiration for chicken tractors. We cannot free range our chickens because we share our property with several birds of prey, including our very own Eagle. In addition, we have stray cats and dogs that show up from time to time.
Where there's a will, there's a way. Almost anything can be modified to become a suitable coop. Chickens aren't particular. Just keep in mind the minimum space requirements your flock needs. And you'll want to make sure you can maintain a healthy environment for them.
Your comfort should be a consideration as well. I was thrilled when we started using the larger coop addition as I no longer had to squeeze through the small door or remained stooped over in the low-ceiling playhouse when cleaning. It wasn't too bad when there were five but with ten, those chores take a little longer.
Have fun with it!

 

[tntchix]

I think it could be modified to be suitable housing for your chickens. We started our original flock of five in an old playhouse we found on the property.
We dragged it out of the woods using our tractor. Then my Mr. Muscle hubs and his two brothers lifted it up and placed it on an existing concrete pad, also found on the property.
Once in place I poured more concrete (Quickrete) inside to compensate for areas where walls didn't meet the floors. We painted it red with white trim and added window boxes.
We modified the existing window by adding chicken wire and changing the way it opens. A chicken door was cut out on one end. The nesting boxes were built on the interior and a door was cut into the side for easy access to the eggs.
Locking mechanisms were added to egg door, people door and window for safety.
A covered run was built adjoining the new coop. The chicken door allowed free access from run to coop during the day. A full size man door was added to the run so we could get in and out for cleaning and feeding.
The entire process was done over a series of weekends (months). Our original ideas for customizing the set-up were modified as we discovered what would work better for the chickens and the caretakers (us).
Since the entire process started (in April 2013), we have nearly doubled the flock. As a result, the original run has been enclosed and is now the new coop. A larger run has been added which adjoins the garden for the post season scratching pleasure of the chickens. We are currently developing ideas on how to enclose the garden to keep the chickens safe from predators.
The original coop has been put into service as a time-out coop for the rooster when he became the victim of some cannibalistic behavior from the hens. Next summer we plan to to use it as a nursery when we add new chicks to the flock. The new run is large enough to divide until the newcomers are big enough to join the flock.
Needless to say, but our family has become addicted to chickens. We experienced the joy of hatching chicks from eggs laid by our original flock. It's been an incurable addiction since then. I came here today to find inspiration for chicken tractors. We cannot free range our chickens because we share our property with several birds of prey, including our very own Eagle. In addition, we have stray cats and dogs that show up from time to time.
Where there's a will, there's a way. Almost anything can be modified to become a suitable coop. Chickens aren't particular. Just keep in mind the minimum space requirements your flock needs. And you'll want to make sure you can maintain a healthy environment for them.
Your comfort should be a consideration as well. I was thrilled when we started using the larger coop addition as I no longer had to squeeze through the small door or remained stooped over in the low-ceiling playhouse when cleaning. It wasn't too bad when there were five but with ten, those chores take a little longer.
Have fun with it!

I really appreciate your insight. Thank you. I just figured with the 5 teens I have it would be a good go between just to get them outside. Now I have another 24 and that is not really an option. I need to get off BYC and get my tail out there and just get my big run finished.

Hoping for help, not going to get it, so I just need to buckle down and get it done.

I get stuck in the BYC timewarp and what do you know, the day is gone, How does this happen?

 

[The Hustons]

Rotfl idk but it certainly does occur !!!