just picked this up

[garye5007]

Hi, Just picked up this structure... ad said playhouse (it had swings and stuff attached.) i saw a coop! $100 + $100 to get it home. i think i got a good deal!
my chicks are 12 days old, so i have a little time to get it ready for them.
8' x '8'
it is sided with what seems to be stockade fence parts so i have to do some sealing up to get rid of the drafts and add lot more ventilation for sure! I also have to fix the legs (needed to remove for transport.) walls are framed with 4 x 4s
2 x 4s for roof.
I plan to add a 12' x 6' chain link covered run for 6 hens. you can see one section against the side.
Should i give them the whole thing? or section a part off for feed and stuff?
I'd love to hear any suggestions!
Gary

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Awsome!

 

[ams3651]

I think your going to need a larger run for 6 hens, I didnt do the math but the bigger the better for happier hens. But great score on the coop! I found it was more convenient to have a small area for feed and such and also a small area in case you need to isolate if theres an injury or if you brood chicks. Looks good.

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

EGG-cellent deal!!!!!!

Post pics later after you make your changes, additions, etc

 

[darkstarr nite]

nice I think you got a great deal ...

 

[merryberry]

Cool!

I am a newbie at this, so take it for what its worth (not much

), but I have read that if you give hens a bunch of space to start, they get used to it and if it gets more crowded later one (ie, you add more hens to the flock), you are more likely to have issues. So if your interior is 64 sq ft, and you have 6 hens right now, I would probably cut the interior space in half and use the other part for storage or future flock growing. The run size seems like a good amt based on the 10 sq ft/bird guideline.

 

[Monk]

Not Bad!

 

[teach1rusl]

What a GREAT deal you got there!!! Obviously you'll need to add in ventilation, pop door, nest boxes, and roosts (I'm a big fan of dropping boards), but man-oh-man did you luck out with that buy! Your proposed run is large enough, although I do agree that they LOVE having more space if it's available. It looks like you're in an area that gets cold weather/winters, so I'd just store your feed in plastic (or metal if you have a lot of mice issues) trash cans inside the coop, but not section it off. If there's any chance your birds will be confined to the coop sometimes because of cold or snow, they can use all the indoor space they can get. Have fun remodeling!!!

 

[teach1rusl]

Check out this link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=324452
It's pretty cool how they did their area for feed storage...

 

[garye5007]

Thanks for the input!
lots of good info. i'll post some pics as i "remodel"