Want to turn whole thing into coop? Water proof too? Help!

[chickity-chick]

So I have the omlet Eglu coop and i want to give them more space- I have the Eglu with the 6ft run like the picture attached. However I want them to have that entire thing as their coop and cover the fencing somehow to make it waterproof and more coop like. How do you guys think I should do that? Wood? Plastic? I don’t want it to have a greenhouse effect and cook them in there either so I don’t know how best to do it- they just don’t have enough waterproof areas and they need more space than the tiny coop when it rains. Help please!! I would love all the suggestions you guys have. I know one of y’all amazingly handy people probably will have an idea for me! Thank you!

 

[Sonya9]

IMO you should start a new build.

 

[rosemarythyme]

That... is going to be pretty difficult. If it was wood it'd be as simple as dismantling inside walls and screwing in new wall panels. Maybe heavy canvas or shade cloth, I guess? Definitely not more plastic (EZ bake oven).

Omlets really aren't made to be altered.

 

[chickity-chick]

That... is going to be pretty difficult. If it was wood it'd be as simple as dismantling inside walls and screwing in new wall panels. Maybe heavy canvas or shade cloth, I guess? Definitely not more plastic (EZ bake oven).

Omlets really aren't made to be altered.

Gosh I wish I could just start a new build! But my family only wants the omlet coop and if I don’t use the omlet coop then I have to get rid of my birds. Also since we spent that much money buying it to begin with it has to stay. maybe in the future if we move I can convince them to allow for a better upgraded coop. In the meantime I’m gonna have to make this work. The coop is always in the shade so it won’t come into contact with the sun at all- I’m gonna look for canvas material today at the store and maybe just use the pvc paneling for the roof.? AHG! I wish I could have a new build! If I cut ventilation windows in the pvc and attach like a target tiny clip fan to the top corner of the enclosed run so it blows in would that work? I feel like the downside of canvas is it could get wet easily and take days to dry out since my cooo is always in the shade. Hmmm. What do you think?

 

[chickity-chick]

IMO you should start a new build.

I wish!! Read above why I can’t

 

[Sonya9]

I wish!! Read above why I can’t

Ahhh..I see. Can the birds even fit in the house part of that thing?

I would get some welded wire fencing (or other reasonable strong wire fencing) and create a large run off the side of that. The run can be any size, you just need to remove part of a side panel from that omlet piece of junk that is big enough for the birds to exit into the run. Don't put the run off the main omlet door as you will need to use that door a lot.

Be sure the run is covered by heavy netting or wire. A piece of heavy duty avian netting that is 25x25 isn't very expensive, about $40, but be sure to buy quality. I bought some good stuff off ebay last year and can give you the link if you go that route.

 

[chickity-chick]

Ahhh..I see. Can the birds even fit in the house part of that thing? How much can you spend on upgrades?

Yes 4 birds snuggle comphortably in the house but my other 3 sleep on a roosting bar that is attached from the ladder to the side of the run. Everyone seems happy enough though they dint love the Eglu I think since it’s so dark. I just want to make sure the 3 that sleep on that outside roost stay dry. I really don’t want to spend a lot I’m also currently expanding their run so soon there will be like 30sqrft/bird and that’s crazy expensive. I was looking to stay around 100-150 dollars for this coop up grade

 

[Trisseh]

... I think personally I would talk to the fam and see if it’s a possibility to sell the eglu locally and use that money to build something a little more suited to your needs... I know those cost a pretty penny, though, so... if that’s not an option, a chain link dog run covered on the top with tarp or shade cloth might work, pop the whole thing in there and they’d be a bit more sheltered. If there’s a direction that you get prevailing wind or rain most of the time, cover that side too. I don’t know how you’d be able to modify the existing structure to do what you’d like to do with it.

 

[Sonya9]

... I think personally I would talk to the fam and see if it’s a possibility to sell the eglu locally and use that money to build something a little more suited to your needs... I know those cost a pretty penny, though, so... if that’s not an option, a chain link dog run covered on the top with tarp or shade cloth might work, pop the whole thing in there and they’d be a bit more sheltered. If there’s a direction that you get prevailing wind or rain most of the time, cover that side too. I don’t know how you’d be able to modify the existing structure to do what you’d like to do with it.

Seems to me the adults that decided to buy that omlet coop and then buy more birds that it can hold shouldn't be taking the attitude of "Use that tiny coop or we get rid of the birds!"

I agree if there is a way to build a better coop and possibly sell that one it is the best option. Fact is buying supplies to try to "upgrade" that flimsy piece of junk will just make the parents MORE resistant to building a truly suitable hen house. That thing is way way too small. Though adding a larger run can be used with a newer coop later.

 

[Parront]

So I have the omlet Eglu coop and i want to give them more space- I have the Eglu with the 6ft run like the picture attached. However I want them to have that entire thing as their coop and cover the fencing somehow to make it waterproof and more coop like. How do you guys think I should do that? Wood? Plastic? I don’t want it to have a greenhouse effect and cook them in there either so I don’t know how best to do it- they just don’t have enough waterproof areas and they need more space than the tiny coop when it rains. Help please!! I would love all the suggestions you guys have. I know one of y’all amazingly handy people probably will have an idea for me! Thank you!

I can understand how such a cute coop would be what your parents want in the yard. You live in a very warm place, Just a tarp over the top and the side that gets the most wind/rain would be enough shelter, to me. What about a portable electric net fence for ranging during the day? That way you could take advantage of the mobility of the coop you have, and your birds would not be confined all day. That would depend on having a large enough area to move them around. If you could post a photo of your Eglu showing how your birds are using it it could give us some more ideas. For a warm climate, I like a big cage instead of a closed-in house. Here is what I am using.

This big cage probably cost less to make than your Eglu. It is chain link fence rail from Home Depot, fence corner connectors and a tarp on top and the back side. I used very light weight & cheap chicken wire due to the unavailability of better wire right now. I have surrounded it with electric net, which I can move to another area or store in the winter If I want.