Playhouse Conversion Advice

[Shamo Hybrid]

Thanks, everyone. The play house is a no go. I couldn't get it apart to transport it. I'd have to hire shed movers, and, frankly, that's too much trouble at this point. Looks like I'm building from "scratch" after all. I decided to do a walk in after reading just about every article, post, comment. I will probably start this week, and, for ha-has, I may just start a thread to show my progress. It will be an adventure, for sure. Gotta get it done soon. Chicks arrive next week, and school starts again soon. Back to work....

I will take all of your words of advice to heart and do my best. BYC rocks!!!!

You can look on Craigslist for independent drivers who owns big trucks and have a little tower in the rear..... I've seen a few on my part of Craigslist and they are very cheap. Worth it for that playhouse as it is a nice size and looks to be in good condition.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Good ideas!!!! I have made a couple of inquiries, and I am waiting for responses. I am worried about cost, though, because the gent who owns the playhouse is almost 2 hours away. I will weigh the cost of the movers against the cost of the materials I have calculated (knowing full well that my materials estimate will undoubtedly be too low, as with all coop projects).

Thanks! I haven't given up yet! Fingers crossed....

 

[micstrachan]

Good luck! It’s adorable!

 

[MROO]

Did you end up getting the playhouse? If you did, and if you kept a running journal of your conversion, please share it with us. That would be awesome!
If you didn't, and you still want the playhouse look, try a shed kit. Those tend to be way cheaper than ready-made and convert very nicely into walk-in coops!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I WISH I'd gotten that play house..... Grrr! Didn't work out. It was too far away and nearly impossible to move/dismantle. I made one from a recycled fence and a couple of sheets of siding I bought on Craigslist. It's not anything special - esp. since I built it all by my lonesome, nearly every board was warped, and I had no idea what I was doing (even with plans). Here's a pic of it while it was still in production. The roof has been realigned since then, and I added a large pre-fab run. I still have a bit of painting left to do, and the brooder is just sitting in the coop for now, so there aren't any roosting bars or nesting boxes. It's basically just a wood rectangle. Oh - but I did add shutters that close down over the windows. It'll do for a while, I think. But I am SO disappointed....

Thanks for following up, though! Love me some BYC!

 

[MROO]

Hey! That's pretty neat! And you did that all yourself? I really like the scallop detailing, and is it made of fence boarding?
You know, you've created something very practical and interesting out of what sounds like reclaimed materials. THAT would be worth writing an article for the coops pages. Lots of people need to build with whatever they can find or have on hand, but have no idea where or how to start. Documenting your build, especially with the finishing details you plan to add, would go a long way towards helping the next builder down the line. And don't EVER be ashamed of something you did "by your lonesome." You did it ON YOUR OWN ... and that's something to be proud of!
For the record ... I LIKE it!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks. That really means a lot. I was disappointed with it when I first finished it, but it's grown on me. I think the playhouse would have turned out perfect, but this'll do for now. I didn't take many pics as I worked, so I don't have much to post, though. It was so hot (in the 100s) that I only worked in the morning hours and after dark. I just wanted to finish it, and pausing for pics was just about the furthest thing from my mind. It was a lot of work, and a giant exercise in problem solving. I had made up plans beforehand, but things never go according to plan, amirite? But, yes, it's all mine. I guess I should be proud!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I would LOVE to build a chicken coop/run with scraps that I can get for free or very little money, there's just soo much satisfaction in knowing you did something yourself on the cheap or in some cases FREE! But then I'm just not a handyman......... plus I'm lazy.

 

[micstrachan]

I think it’s super cute!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I also like it!

Well done on the use of materials and ventilation!
I think it's cute.