Playhouse Conversion Advice

[Aunt Angus]

Hi. I'm in a bit of a pickle, and I could use some advice from the eggsperts (see what I did there?!).

I will be acquiring the playhouse pictured below and converting it into a coop with an attached run. Originally, I had intended to build one from "scratch" (pun absolutely intended), but this playhouse is free AND adorable. Really adorable.

My concern is that it's going to be set on the ground (on pavers, most likely). I originally wanted a raised coop to make use of space and keep out unwanted critters. I fully intend to place a skirt of hardware cloth around the coop and the yet-to-be-built run.

My question right now is: Should I also run hardware cloth up the sides of the coop at all? The run will be fully enclosed in hardware cloth. My concern is predators getting through the wooden walls of the coop while the girls are closed in at night. Our area has skunks, opossum, and the occasional coon. And rats, of course. They're ubiquitous...

BTW- Of course, I plan to add waaaay more ventilation and whatnot. I just need to know how much hardware cloth I'm going to need to purchase. The thing is 6' x 8' and will house 5 hens. The run will be 6' x 12' (eventually).

TIA!

 

[21hens-incharge]

That IS cute and a good size!

It looks like the siding is actual siding. You should not need hardware cloth up the sides of the coop. I would make sure there are no loose sections and then not worry.

Your windows will need hardware cloth of course.

What an awesome coop that will be.

Honestly, my coops have wood floors and no hardware cloth around the coop itself.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks. I tend to overdo things. But reading about all these losses people experience - even those who are super careful and thorough - scare the bejeezus outta me.

It is siding. I will make triple sure everything is fastened down, then.

 

[rosemarythyme]

In most cases you wouldn't you need to reinforce wood walls. You CAN, of course, but unless you have some insanely tenacious predator they won't generally try and go through walls.

If it turns you that you do see something trying to go through the wood, I'd consider reinforcing with wire mesh or even some sort of sheet metal at that time.

That playhouse will make a super cute coop!

 

[purslanegarden]

BTW- Of course, I plan to add waaaay more ventilation and whatnot. I just need to know how much hardware cloth I'm going to need to purchase. The thing is 6' x 8' and will house 5 hens. The run will be 6' x 12' (eventually).

TIA!
View attachment 1493039

You'll have to return to algebra for an estimate of the amount of hardware cloth that you need. For example, 6x12 will be 72 square feet for just one side, but the 1/4" hardware cloth may come in sizes of 2' x something or 3' x something. Add to that any overlap you want, or maybe no overlap if you attach to wood sections, etc.

Knowing the size of hardware cloth you want to use, can also help you in deciding how to build the chicken run . For example, maybe you will want some horizontal board at around the 2 ft, 4 ft, 6ft distance so you can attach the 2' cloth to it. If it's the 3' one, then maybe 3ft and 6ft. Either way, both versions will do well in your 6-ft height run without too much extra cutting.

 

[aart]

You'll have to return to algebra for an estimate of the amount of hardware cloth that you need. For example, 6x12 will be 72 square feet for just one side, but the 1/4" hardware cloth may come in sizes of 2' x something or 3' x something. Add to that any overlap you want, or maybe no overlap if you attach to wood sections, etc.

That would be geometry

Knowing the size of hardware cloth you want to use, can also help you in deciding how to build the chicken run . For example, maybe you will want some horizontal board at around the 2 ft, 4 ft, 6ft distance so you can attach the 2' cloth to it. If it's the 3' one, then maybe 3ft and 6ft. Either way, both versions will do well in your 6-ft height run without too much extra cutting.

Definitely good to plan your framing with the mesh size in mind..keeping in mind a 1" overlap.

 

[Aunt Angus]

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!!!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Too bad you couldn't get it, but I'm sure you can build something just as nice for your flock.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The only other way to move it (if shed movers are expensive) would be a tow truck.

A few towing companies here do it.

Bummer you have to start from "scratch".

A walk in is awesome when weather is bad out.

 

[aart]

Aww too bad....

The only other way to move it (if shed movers are expensive) would be a tow truck.

A few towing companies here do it.

Yes! Flat bad tower might work great.