Playhouse Conversion

[JoyousPetals]

Plan B: We purchased a Step 2 playhouse large enough on the inside to house our 6 chicks (maybe 4...I have a funny feeling I have 2 roos). I have the playhouse inside our run. We are in process of covering the entire run in 1/4 inch hardware cloth, top, sides, bottom and underground. Hubby and I are at a fork in the road. I say we need to immediately cover the playhouse openings with hardware cloth as well and he is telling me once the coop is secure he's not as worried about the playhouse, buying us a few more weeks. We have a space in our barn but really like the idea of our girls being closer to the house than in the barn. We have many predators here (fischers, fox, coyote, bear, racoon). He wants to get everything set up in the run so our girls can be in it by 5 weeks then work on the inside coop. Whats your thoughts (please be kind, I hear you without anyone being nasty). Thank you.

 

[limaro]

It sure sounds like your chicks will be as safe as you can make them! I agree with hubby. Once the run is secured, the coop openings aren't quite as crucial.
Our 8x8 run is covered and wrapped in hardware cloth, but the coop just has some lightweight screening over the windows to deter bugs. It's been that way for 6 years and no predators have been inside.
Good luck!

 

[Mamatomany123]

I'm more of the opposite way of thinking. I didnt put my chicks outside until both coop and run were secure. We havent had any breaking (or attempts that I know of)but I prefer for any predator to have to go through 2 secure things rather than 1. Mistakes are made, weak spots happen. And with the amount if predators you have, I wouldnt risk it. It only takes a few minutes to kill them.

 

[aart]

Plan B: We purchased a Step 2 playhouse large enough on the inside to house our 6 chicks (maybe 4...I have a funny feeling I have 2 roos). I have the playhouse inside our run. We are in process of covering the entire run in 1/4 inch hardware cloth, top, sides, bottom and underground. Hubby and I are at a fork in the road. I say we need to immediately cover the playhouse openings with hardware cloth as well and he is telling me once the coop is secure he's not as worried about the playhouse, buying us a few more weeks. We have a space in our barn but really like the idea of our girls being closer to the house than in the barn. We have many predators here (fischers, fox, coyote, bear, racoon). He wants to get everything set up in the run so our girls can be in it by 5 weeks then work on the inside coop. Whats your thoughts (please be kind, I hear you without anyone being nasty). Thank you.

Well, if the run is secure....they should be fine.
Many folks do this and leave coop open to run 24/7.
If you have bear, you should seriously think about hot wire around the run.

 

[JoyousPetals]

Well, if the run is secure....they should be fine.
Many folks do this and leave coop open to run 24/7.
If you have bear, you should seriously think about hot wire around the run.

hubby can't wait to hot wire

 

[Donkeygrl]

Sounds like the run is good But if you want extra peace of mind and a second line of defense then I would get that coop secure as well with all the predators that you mentioned.
Oh and don’t forget to post pics when you’re all done! We did a playhouse conversion as well!