Would a modified dog house work for chicken coop?

[prophecy]

I have 6 growing pullets in my house right now,that will need to be transferred outside.I am wondering if an outdoor,wooden,insulated dog house would work as a coop for them,lined with straw bedding with a wire run attatched?
i'm not able to buy a coop,because NO ONe, sells any around here!
i'm not good with making structures,so making one is out,and i'm not made of money either,so buying like an eggloo is out.space is rather limited,due to a backyard garden and doggy play area.

Please let me know if this or anything else that will work.

 

[whitecra]

Yes it will work. I have an igloo doghouse for my silkies.
Chris

 

[phishinchicken]

good thing you planned ahead huh?



i too am new to chickens and i have looked into the doghouse option but i never felt they were big enough. do you have any friends that can help you? when i asked around i ended up with almost all my material(just have to buy mesh) and a couple of friends with carpentry skills. i also bought some plans for a smaller coop that requires less material then most. since you seem cash strapped like the rest of us i would gladly PM you a link to the plans free of charge.

 

[Big George]

Should be fine. I would istall a roosting bar. Since it is wood you could cut a hole in the side to accommidate an exterior egg box with hinged lid. If you mount 2x4's to outer corners you could get it off of the ground. This helps keep mice, etc. from nesting under the house. If you then wire around these legs your chickens will have shady spot and extended run area. Bury this wire around base as the chickens will dig and gives them added safety.
Good luck.

 

[Kitchenella]

If it has easy access to the inside for cleaning and collecting eggs I don't know why not but it has to be a big one for 6 hens. As for other suggestions I'd have to know what kind of weather you are dealing with.


Peggy

 

[Big George]

Oh, don't forget to add ventilation. Adding a small window or hole covered with wre near the top helps a lot.

 

[prophecy]

Quote:
i would be using a large dog box(like german shepherd sized or bigger) under my one tree in the backyard.It has a lift off lid/roof for access of eggs and to do cleaning.I thought of using skids to keep it off the ground.though i think the dog box has legs.the wire pen i knew to bury the edges and im going to be putting pavers in the pen for hard surface.My yard is going to be all patio soon.it gravel right now.(i can leave the chicken area gravel if you think its better that way.or do sand there)

 

[patandchickens]

You can do it, but it is not great winter quarters for your climate. Real hard to balance ventilation/temperature/drafts in such a small structure. At the very least, it'd be awfully helpful to have a run that you can put something solid on 3 sides as a wind barrier. Even so, it won't be ideal.

You wouldn't need to buy a chicken coop as such, just a SHED (you know, like people store their yard and garden stuff in). Preferably non-metal, although you can work with a metal one if absolutely necessary.

Check out craigslist and so forth for secondhand deals.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[prophecy]

Quote:
what dimentions/size/shape does the shed need to be? like an upright storage shed or more of a barn styled,with a double door? does anyone know where i can get a good/inexspesive coop in central pa?

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
For 6 chickens it can be pretty small. REally 4x6 would be adequate, if their run is good sized and somewhat sheltered in winter. So, pretty much any kind of small shed you can obtain would be fine.

Or, could you build something lean-to style off an existing garage or shed?

Basically to get used sheds for cheap you just have to keep on the lookout -- craigslist, freecycle, local classifieds, store bulletin boards, and tell everyone you know that you're looking. Something should turn up before winter

And for *now*, and summer, a very large doghouse, if that's what you already have, is probably adequate.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat