Playhouse Coop Conversion -- Your Advice Desired!

[diva esq]

Dear Friends:

We are considering converting the backyard playhouse (we call it the "barn") into a chicken coop. This is a fairly large structure (64" x 104" interior) and sturdy. I am thinking of converting 36" of it into the coop (36 x 64 = 16 square feet) and adding the run on the back of 36x110 = 27.5 square feet. I am posting pictures of several views of the barn.







I was planning to build across the barn with hardware cloth and a door on the interior, cut a hole to the run on the back, and a hole to nest boxes on the front. I thought I would also build a six foot high run enclosed by hardware cloth with another door off the back of the barn so I can easily get inside the run.

San Francisco is surprisingly full of dangerous predators. Hawks, raccoons and skunks are just the start with coyotes living in nearby Golden Gate Park. I have two 8 yr olds and they will NOT be happy if any of our birds fall prey. So this sucker needs to be seriously safe. I have been reading here on the forums for several weeks and have some thoughts about how to do that, but with questions below.

One final note is that I would appreciate all suggestions for how to save time in keeping chickens. I am willing to spend a little more money to save time.

Having said all that, here are my questions:

1. Looking at the floor of this structure, do you think it is sufficient to keep out predators or does more need to be done?
2. I was planning to put a nest box on the exterior right beneath the window. Does that make sense?
3. For the roost what is the best strategy for ease and speed of cleaning?
4. Do I need both food and water both inside and outside?
5. San Francisco limit is 4 chickens. Can I fit 4 chickens comfortably in this space, especially with a somewhat smaller run? Is 2 nest boxes sufficient for 4 chickens?
6. When building the run, will it be sufficient to sink hardware cloth around the outside of the run? How deep will I need to sink it? Or should I do something else to make the run safe?

Thanks everyone for helping this newbie, I really appreciate it!

 

[Creaking pines kids]

Hello! 4 chickens will fit comfortably in this coop.

2 nest boxes is definitely enough. My hens tend to want to all lay in 1 nest box.

You do not need food and water inside and out. I have the food and water inside the coop.

It is very easy to clean a poop board. It is a board underneath the roost that catches their poop at night.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[cknkids]

Don't forget to add ventlation at the top of the coop.

 

[diva esq]

Thanks for your comments! What do you think is a safe way to create ventilation that will not allow the predators into the coop? Regarding the poop board, do you think it's possible to make one that I can pull out from the coop and clean on the exterior without having to go inside to get it? I'm trying to figure out if I can install something that slides out, maybe.

 

[Rachy]

Good luck with your project, it has the makings of a wonderful coop!!!

 

[cknkids]

For ventilation you can cut holes higher up. There are some good threads in the learning center on it. Don't forget to cover any ventilation with 1/2" or 1/4" hardware cloth.
Having a pull out poop board is a great idea. I'm sure you can get creative, wither it pulls outside or into the part of the barn that isn't being used by your hens.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

We used vent covers. Add hardwre cloth to prevent anything coming through.