Playhouse into a coop?

That's going to make a special one of a kind coop. I would start by pulling up the floor. Replace it with new plywood than cover it with linoleum. Use one window for the nesting boxes that you can open from the outside. If you go with the spring window, you can build the run so that side of the coop is not inside the run. That will save some floor space giving them extra room. Cover the other 2 windows with hardware cloth. Keep the shutters on to open and close depending upon the weather. Add a door to the front full height so you can get in and out of the coop. Add a 12x12 pop door at the bottom so they can come and go with the door shut. The rain blows in from the fall side so you need to stop that or the shavings and straw you put on the floor will get moldy. Replace the roof. It leaks and at 18 years, it's brittle and will only get worse.

Is the coop set in concrete or are the 4x4s just stuck in the dirt? What condition are the posts in? If they are 50% rotten, I would cut them off, pick up the coop and put it on a new foundation. I would cruise CL looking for supplies for a run. I often come across dog pen chainlink panels for cheap ($25) or free building supplies.

Can't wait to see it full of hens.
 
So, we were thinking of covering the spring side with wire, making the nestbox in the winter side, and their door on the summer side? Would that work? The spring side doesn't have much room in back of it, only about 2ft and same with the winter side so the most practical side for the run would be summer.
Yeah... We'll probably replace it, my mom thought it was metal :P What materiel would be best to replace it with?

The posts are on top of sunk logs in the dirt. They were replaced about 5 years ago and are not rotten.

I will definitely do that :P Wood costs so much these days :) We probably couldn't do chain-link though... Our raccoons are vicious...

Same with me!! :) Our neighbor just got some and I can hear their little rooster in the morning, can't wait to get my own!! :)
 
Another question... So if we get about 6 chickens, how many nestboxes would we need?
 
Okay, awesome. Thanks!!!
My dad is coming back tomorrow, so I will tell my parents all of this and see what they want to do!
 

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