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Using a small greenhouse as a coop???

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by ccat1, Sep 27, 2015.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Sep 27, 2015 #1
    ccat1

    ccat1 Out Of The Brooder

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    I have a chicken tractor I built back in July with a run/pen I built/attached next to it. I have 4 hens who seem very happy with this set up.
    I have a 6x8 Harbor Freight Greenhouse I use in the late winter/early spring but it stands now as basically a storage building.
    I am wondering if I could move the pen (t-posts and fencing) up against it and use the GH as the coop, nesting area and roost.
    I can monitor and take care of temps in it with no problem. I am just liking the idea of the bigger area it would provide as opposed to my current tractor.
    Attached is a picture of my tractor, but no pic of my tractor as you all can imagine a 6x8 GH.
    If anyone uses a greenhouse as the coop, please fill me in on pro's/cons.
    Thanks
    ccat1[​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2015
  3. Sep 27, 2015 #2
    CTKen

    CTKen Monkey business Premium Member

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    In the cooler months of the year i don't see why not (if, as you say, you can control the temps) but i would avoid using it during the warmer months as overheating (slow roasting?) is likely to be an issue.

    CT
     
  4. Sep 29, 2015 #3
    aart

    aart Chicken Juggler!

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    My Coop
    6x8 is not much bigger than the coop/run shown.
    Maybe just use it as an extra run area in winter?

    Not sure what this means "I could move the pen (t-posts and fencing)" ?

    What is your climate?
    Adding your location to your profile can help folks give better answers/suggestions.
     
  5. Sep 29, 2015 #4
    ccat1

    ccat1 Out Of The Brooder

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    Sep 3, 2015
    By moving the pen, Tposts/fencing, I mean with my current chicken tractor, I have a fenced in area about 10x10 built up against it. I open the door in the mornings and let the hens out for the day. I do let them out in the yard most afternoons when I get home from teaching school.
    The roosting area is only about 40" wide and they seem crowded at night. I know they will use their body heat in the winter, but I was just thinking of giving them a bigger area. I guess what I am thinking is using this greenhouse as a coop and nesting area. But now that I think about it, it might need to be darker at night......wouldn't it?
    But I could move my tractor and pen closer to the GH and incorporate it from there.
     

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