The Poultry Keeper

Chick3345 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Cheshire

Hi,

I am considering what sort of house to use for my future chickens.

I am hoping to have 4 or 5 large fowl, brahmas, cochins and maybe a silkie or 2.

I have been looking at the different types of chicken house available and am beginning to think that plastic would be better and easier to keep clean.

We have one of these in our garden which isnt being used

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=20001&partNumber=7051801&Trail=searchtext>SHED

Would something like this be suitable for conversion in to a chicken house? And if so what sort of modifications would it require?

Would I need to raise it off the ground ? Would I need to cut a pop hole out of one of the doors or could I just leave a door open in the day time? Can I just lift the lid to collect eggs and finally how much ventilation and light would I need to provide? Is it big enough?

Or would something like this be better? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260251767444&ih=016&category=139958&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1

Thanks for all your help.

Caroline

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1267 Location: Correze

Would you be able to cut a pop-hole in the front without compromising the strength of the whole structure? If the answer is yes, it'll do for a hen house.

Not so sure about size ...

mojo · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject:

second will be easeier to clean i think but personal i wouldnt use either for large birds ....3/5 bantams is about right for those i personally would think............if you want plastic look at wendy houses or min sheds............if not fussy look at small wood sheds ........or build your own

Chick3345 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Cheshire

Thanks for your replies.

What would you use for large fowl mojo? What sort of size should I look at?

Thanks

Elly · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 323 Location: Norfolk

Think you would be better off looking for a cheap shed. The plastic one on ebay has no floor and the homebase one would be hard to fit poop hole, nesting boxes and perches. Sorry to be so negative.

You could look out for someone selling an old wooden playhouse or buy a cheap shed. Both are easier to 'convert' Smile

Keep smilin
Elly

www.woodenart.org.uk · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 51 Location: shropshire

Elly has hit the nail on the head with her comments, plus either wouldn't be the easiest to clean.

mojo · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject:

go for A SHED THEN YOU WILL HAVE ROOM TO GROW9(sorry0 KEY JAMMED AGAIN

crazywelshchuck · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 95

HI
I just wanted to say that we use these as type of boxes converted for your breeding birds when in breeding pens they work brilliant. The type we have are a lot smaller than that one and we have cut a pop hole in the front which we board up with a strong peice of wood and a concrete block at night to lock the birds in.
They are fab as lifting lid to collect eggs and birds have a large grassed run so they are really happy as only it at night and to lay. Please note that my birds are only in these types through breeding season which is apr-sept each year.

How a larger one would work out over winter i'm not sure as may be to light an blow over in the wind?

You may be better off buy some wood and building a solid house but I'm sure this could do for a bit for you as long as weighted down and apop hole made.

Chick3345 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Cheshire

Thanks guys.

We will probably go for a shed. I spoke to a guy who kept Brahmas and he said he used to keep 6 hens in a 6ftX6ft hen house with 12ft X6ft run (minimum of 4 feet head clearance).

So I think that is what we will do. I can get a 6 x 8 shed and the run can be at least 8 feet by 20 feet and then I can expand if I want to !!

I was only looking at the plastic ones in a bid to avoid red mite or any other hygiene issues.

Thanks again !

Caroline