Grow Your Own Magazine

i have been given back a wooden childrens playhouse (not sure of the exact measurements about 4 x4 foot) and was wondering if it would be adequate for a hen home and if so how many do you think it could home many thanks in advance belle

I'd have thought with a little adaption that will be fine mine live very happily in an old wooden crate with a pop hole cut in the front so they're not fussy.. From memory I think you need about a foot of perch space per bird (roughly, it will depend on the size of the hens you choose obviously) and a dark place (put shutters over any windows maybe? will be a bit more secure but you can still peek inside and see how they're getting on, that they're all there when you shut up at night etc) / nest box for them to lay in (about 1 box for every 3 hens I think, mine isn't seperated into a ox they just use the darkest corner).. the perches should be higher than the nest box(es) as they like to sleep at the highest point so if the boxes are higher they will sleep all bundled up in the box and fill it up with poop overnight which makes a bit of a mess of your eggs..
I'm not sure how many it could house, it would depend to a certain extent on how you adapted it. My 3 are in a ~4ft by ~2ft crate and it could easily take another couple if I had the outside space to accomadate them (they need at least a square yard of outside run space but more is desirable) so if you have the outside space maybe 6? they won;t generally spend much time in the house during the day and like to sleep all bundled up snuggly together at night... Another couple of tips, line the bottom of the house with some old lino or similar as this will make clearing out alot easier and make a run you can easily walk into.. makes a big difference with the day to day maintenance as you can pop in and sort food/ water/ clean up and also means you can go sit in there and have a chat to your girls (if they're anything like mine wear old clothes tho they love to jump on my lap for some treats and some climbs right up to my shoulder for a good look around her domain.. ) last tip, if possible design it so you can open the pop hole in the morning and let them out without going in the run.. that way you can pop out in your slippers first thing and not make a mess

vickyr100/chickens - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Mine is a wendy house adaptation. We have boarded all but one window, the remainder is double chicken wired. 3 nestboxes with access perch (neednt be raised, we just did for some reason!), long perch for sleeping on, cut pop hole, locks on door and that's about it for the conversion.
In retrospect things I would do differently...perch is the same height as 'open' window so I have to cover in the winter to stop them being chilled, would be useful to have nestboxes opening onto outside for egg collection and as Becca says to save stinky chicken poo slippers!
We have 4 hens but I think you could get about 10 in there!
Let us know if you need any more details

Mine is an old dog kennel and run that I've put nest boxes in (wooden wine boxes as my other half is a restauranter!) and a high perch. They seem pleased with it! I also cut a big door in the side and put a ladder up to the original flap door, I have 3 hens (hopefully 4 soon) and there's so much space in the hut, but need to extend the run a bit I think!
I think they are happy with anything as long as it's clean and has nest boxes and a perch!

many thanks ppl the advice has given me alot to think about im hoping to keep them on the lottie (as my dog would not appreciate the competition) and as ive only just aquired the lottie i have major back breaking work to do to get it into shape so the chooks are my forward thinking plan once again thanks i dont think it will need to much conversion just a bit of bribery for a run lol

Vicky, is there a particular reason you painted it white inside-in the process of converting our playhouse too. Yours looks lovely-it's given me ideas. If the windows are boarded will they get enough light in winter to keep laying?

Thanks you Sarflo!
I read somewhere that painting the inside in gloss means there's less cracks for red mites to hide in. But I don't know if that's true. And if you do gloss it inside you need to leave it a while before putting choocks in as the fumes linger for ages! Think we did ours about 2/3 weeks before chickens.
You could perspex the windows but I think that worked out 'quite' expensive. The white inside probably makes it a bit lighter.
I think the light levels outside will influence egg laying rather than what's inside, I don't expect them to be laying too much through the winter. You can hook up a light to give an extra hr am and pm, but as mine are ex batts and have had a hard life they will be allowed a rest!