Plastic Play House as a Coop?

[sfaithj]

Hey All,

I'm new to chickens and have been looking a bit on this website and I have Storey's book on chickens coming soon from Amazon. I'd like to get two hens for egg production. I know each hen requires 4 square inches however I was wondering if one of those plastic play houses you always see would be large enough for two hens? I'm a non crafty (i.e. don't think I could make one) unemployed student so finding an affordable coop will be a challenge. I always see those plastic play houses abandoned on the side of the road in less desirable neighborhoods, hence why I'm asking if it might work for two hens. If it makes a difference, I could let them out for an hour every day so they could roam free a bit.

For reference, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area so it rarely gets *that* cold (although it's been raining here lately).

Also, some recommends on what breeds to look into would be great. I'm looking for quiet, docile, highly productive, seldom broody hens. Thanks!

 

[Sierra pachie bars]

I've seen people make coops from playhouses. Can't seem to find photos now but know it can be done. Even a rabbit hutch would work for like two or so. I still use a rabbit hutch for my newly feathered out babies before they move to the big coop.

 

[sfaithj]

Quote:
Thanks! I was thinking just now I could try and find two plastic playhouses and connect them somehow so the chickens could run around more.

 

[jeremy]

There are many people here who have converted the Little Tykes (or other brands) plastic playhouses into coops very easily. I imagine you could comfortably fit 2-3 hens depending on how large the playhouse is that you get. Ideally you want 4 square feet per bird. If you search for "Little Tykes" you'll find lots of pages, most with pictures of how people have repurposed them into coops!

 

[gryeyes]

Here's a plastic Little Tikes Playhouse I transmorgrified into a grow-out coop.

I strongly recommend it be placed on a platform to raise it - it makes cleaning it SO much easier!

Here's the inside shortly after it was placed into service and before I finished securing the window openings with hardware cloth.

It's just about 4 ft by 4 ft, which is perfect for 4 hens - I have two large fowl and two bantam girls using it for their night-time lodging. All my chickens range freely all day long.

 

[sfaithj]

Quote:
Thanks! I was thinking just now that I could try and find two of these plastic playhouses and then use chicken wire around both doors (having both doors face each other) so the hens could walk back and forth between the houses.

 

[Judy]

I imagine you meant four square feet. Yes, people use them, usually as a starter coop. Especially in warm climates, though, enough air exchange could be a problem. Chickens do fine in quite cold temps but do not tolerate heat well, and need shade, breeze and lots of water if it's in the 90's or so. Actually, 100 degree temps are considered at their lethal level. In your climate, a 3 sided shelter would actually be more suitable. I guess you could pick up one of those playhouses, take off or cut off one side, and extend a run from it.

Also, 4 sq ft is not much space if they will be confined 23 hours a day; it is recommended for coop space only, along with 10 sq ft in a run during daylight hours.

 

[sfaithj]

Quote:
Oh awesome, thanks! I'll keep that mind re: raising the playhouse.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Thanks! I was thinking just now that I could try and find two of these plastic playhouses and then use chicken wire around both doors (having both doors face each other) so the hens could walk back and forth between the houses.

Connecting two houses could definitely work, you would essentially double your space and then be able to double the amount of chickens your coop could hold!

I would use hardware cloth when securing the open spots on your coop though, not just chicken wire. Hardware cloth is more durable and secure. I know we have some nocturnal predators, namely raccoons and opossums here in Oakland that would make quick work of regular gauged chicken wire so we decided going with a stronger hardware cloth for our coop was the best idea.

 

[sfaithj]

Quote:
Thanks for your response. Yes, I meant 4 square feet-sorry! It's usually doesn't get into the 90's where I live and in my backyard, there's an area that's always shaded due to a tree so I think I'll be ok on that part. I was thinking I could create a run by facing two playhouses with their doors, facing each other and then get some chicken wire to put around the doors to create a long, tube like run.