Needing some serious coop advice!! Updated with PICS!! :)

[Kittymomma]

I used an extra rabbit hutch placed inside a 7x13 dog kennel for my first 6 hens and it was fine. You'll need to cover part of the roof though to provide a little more shelter. Of course the 6 hens are now 2 1/2 dozen and growing

so we had to build a larger coop anyhow.

 

[1stepcloser]

LOL....see? That is the problem. I *know* I will not stop collecting chickens. I was thinking something like this could work? http://nashville.craigslist.org/bab/1362871641.html

 

[Kittymomma]

I don't know, it wouldn't work here in the NW.

That playhouse is probably fine as far as size goes for 4-6 chickens if they have an outdoor run, but it wouldn't do much to keep weather or critters out. See if you can find a sturdy homemade one that the kids have outgrown.

Beware the addiction that is chickens:yiipchick

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
sure is cute, but it probably would need a lot of shoring up against predators.

would love to see a little chicken sitting in that window though. maybe you could get it and put it inside their run just for shade and cuteness.

 

[4HillsSumatras]

We have always found construction job sites supply all the lumber we ever needed. Find a house going up, during framing and roofing they always have a scrap pile. You will be suprised what they will throw away. We always ask the superintendant or call the builder and get permission first.

Hope this helps.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
good tip!

 

[lauralou]

Quote:
Well, that is about the cutest thing I have ever seen! I don't have any kids, and was not fortunate enough to have store-bought playhouses when I was kid, so I have no idea what it's like in real life.

These are the things that I wonder when I look at it:

What is it made of? Some kind of thick, durable plastic?

Does it have a floor of any kind that would prevent digging predators?

How could I close up the front window at night? Or for the winter months? I see shutters on the side window...

How could I affix hardware cloth (or something sturdy) securely over all of the openings in the door, at the peak of the roof, etc.

If you think that you could make it safe from predators, then $85 isn't a bad deal. I'm just not sure how it would hold screws and other fasteners. Maybe very well. I just don't know.

It might be worthwhile to email the seller and ask a few questions, though....

At any rate, good luck finding a nice, cheap coop. If this one doesn't fit the bill, keep looking.

 

[fldiver97]

Check around to see if you can buy something used. Also, there are some sites posted in previous threads here that have sheds/playhouses/coops that are not outragously expensive. I wasted money buying a fre-fab for 4-5 chickens just to convert my old gardenshed (old, no vent, no windows, grimy, no electricity) into a coop. Should have done that to begin with....If I can manage to put vents and windows in and build a roost with a poop board, get a popdoor in and some solar light....everybody can. Now, it's not perfect, but it's dry, safe and functional....Will not give up my day job to build chicken coops....

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

oh my gosh BUY THAT!!!!
Then pay a carpenter 100.00 to make it predator proof, spend another 100. for materials and have him put up a run and you have the cutest chicken coop in town for under 300.!

 

[1stepcloser]

Ding! Ding! Ding!! Here it is...the winner!!

http://nashville.craigslist.org/bab/1344343829.html

We are picking it up tomorrow morning. It is a 2 hour drive away but it is so worth it!