[boybrown]

Hi folks,  Unfortunately a fox wiped out our girls on the day we went on holiday. I had constructed a run but not sealed the roof and in it went. Anyway, I have now re-enforced with weld mesh on the roof and a portion also covered by corrugated PVC. I have placed a 24" weldmesh skirt around the perimeter (digging in not possible).  I am going to get a shed to house them which will also help in the winter and provide more security. Has anyone converted a shed and if so would they mind sharing photo's or plans etc??  To be honest I'm very nervous about getting more chooks but they worked brilliantly for our family.

If anyone has any spare bits of mesh in the sheffield area I would also be incredibly grateful.

Any help would really be appreciated on this.

Many thanks

Tom :o)

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Tom, most of my henhouses are converted sheds, but I don't really have internal photo's to share, but its easy.  All you need is to cut out a pophole for the girls to go in and out, and my layers house is actually outside the run, with just the pophole opening into the side of the run, so when I go in to collect eggs, I don't have to walk through the run.  they need enough perching for them all, which should be a bit higher than the nestboxes, and of course they will need a nestbox.

Up to 5 hens to a nestbox, but if you can give them more, then if one goes broody, there are still other nestboxes the other girls can lay in.

I was always told to allow 7.5inches per bird on a perch as they do cram up together, but general consensus on here is about 9.5 I think.

[GrannieAnnie]

My nestboxes don't look as nice as this now they are 3 years old!   

[Kym503]

Hi Tom.  My hens have lived happily in a 6ft x 4ft shed with a very secure run attached to it for 4 happy years.  However - this year I had the most dreadful infestation of red mite you can imagine!  Once you get them a shed is the worst possible thing you can imagine.  They get everywhere!  The felt roof is a breeding heaven for them.  They hide in every little nook and cranny.  However - having said that I did eradicate the problem quite quickly but I did have to resort to using a very strong pesticide called Ficam W which is not usually available to small time poultry keepers like myself and has to be used with greatt care..

Yes - it's a cheaper option than a purpose built coop but if you get problems it's a real headache!  I'm sure others will have their thoughts...


Kym

[Bantymad]

Hi, i have a 6ft by 4ft shed, perches along one long side and nest boxes the other, no pics i'm afraid. I'v also just got some oduline to replace original roof, i have taken window out and and put weld mesh inside and out, and will replace 3 quarters of the plastic window when it starts to get cold. I also had to seal all the overlaps inside with silicone sealer to make sure there were no drafts. only took me a couple of hours to do and is easy to get in and clean out. Best wishes

[evie2]

Evening Tom, a shed is a good option for your hen house, generally they are larger and in the ones we've looked at less expensive, they can be customised quite easily and as your flock and experience grows much easier to adapt to your needs

[boybrown]

Hi Tom.  My hens have lived happily in a 6ft x 4ft shed with a very secure run attached to it for 4 happy years.  However - this year I had the most dreadful infestation of red mite you can imagine!  Once you get them a shed is the worst possible thing you can imagine.  They get everywhere!  The felt roof is a breeding heaven for them.  They hide in every little nook and cranny.  However - having said that I did eradicate the problem quite quickly but I did have to resort to using a very strong pesticide called Ficam W which is not usually available to small time poultry keepers like myself and has to be used with greatt care..

Yes - it's a cheaper option than a purpose built coop but if you get problems it's a real headache!  I'm sure others will have their thoughts...

Hi Kym,

I had a similar experience with my ARC and ended up having taken it completely to bits, I battled with them all summer. Of course having my girls wiped out has meant they have all left but I've moved the run now to avoid the red mite eggs hatching and returning. I'm very mindful now when I get a shed to seal the joints with sealant to reduce the potential for a problem :o)


Kym