Would this playhouse make a good coop?

[GaChick34]

I'm thinking of converting this to my coop. I realize I need to put dowels in and the predator screen on the openings. Do I also need to add storm windows that can lower when bad weather comes? I'm thinking I'll enclose the area where the two sinks are and make that the two brooding areas. Any advice is appreciated. Ty!

 

[GaChick34]

I've got 5 hens and don't plan to have more than that. Hopefully it's big enough. It's made out of redwood.

 

[1000yearoldeggs]

It looks like a good size to me. I recommend using a flat piece of wood or a thick branch for a roost though instead of a dowel. I've read that dowels are hard for chickens to grip and can cause some feet problems. I use a 2x4 piece of lumber and it works great. Some people use 2x2's, but I wouldn't use those for large fowl myself. My chickens can't seem to grip well on anything that's thinner than the wide side of a 2x4.

As for storm windows, that depends on the amount of bad weather you get. I think it would be a good idea to have something to protect them from rain coming in, even if it's just a tarp over top during rainy days. I have a lot of bad weather here, so I made windows that can be closed during inclement weather. Nice find on the playhouse! It's very cute.

 

[Aban]

oh my goodness, i cant wait to see this finished!!! SUPER CUTE!!! I have been looking for some cute ideas to add on to the HUGE coop my hubby is constructing. This is such a cute idea. Please post lots of pics as you go.

 

[GaChick34]

Ty! I'm in Ga, so we have a pretty mild winter. No hurricanes and rarely any significant snow conditions.
I'm thinking of pressure washing this, restaining a dark brown and then having a vintage sign that says fresh eggs, etc. I love anything that is vintage and some shabby chic.
thanks for the tips on the dowels. Good to know. I will def opt for the larger pieces. Ty!
I'll post pictures as I go. Will likely take me 3-4 weeks before it's done.
I'm also thinking of replacing the faded red curtains with new ones.

 

[1000yearoldeggs]

It will end up looking gorgeous, I just know it.

You have a great base to work off of. I'm hoping to add curtains to my coop soon too. I just added a flower box to the front of my coop and it makes it look much more cheerful.

 

[GaChick34]

I was thinking flower boxes as well. . Going to get started on this tomorrow.

 

[Aban]

are you going to put flowers the chickens can eat in the flower boxes? if so what kind are you thinking?

 

[Beaker Duck]

I would enclose the sinks to make those the nestboxes, if they are big enough. Our first chicken coop was an old playhouse. Nothing near as fancy as that one!

 

[estamets]

oh my goodness, i cant wait to see this finished!!! SUPER CUTE!!! I have been looking for some cute ideas to add on to the HUGE coop my hubby is constructing. This is such a cute idea. Please post lots of pics as you go.

Me too! Please remember to post photos when it's done!

(I also added a tiny flower box to the front of my coop, but I haven't decided what to plant in it... suggestions?)