[binxyboo]

We have been promising ourselves some chickens since we moved in to this house nearly 2 years ago!
We also really want to get a wooden playhouse for our son, but there is only so much space in the garden.

We have a lovely area about 11ft by 7ft, that we were thinking about turning into a chicken area.
However, the area we earmarked for the playhouse, we have discovered has a water well underneath that was blocked over many years ago!!

We are now considering putting the playhouse on stilts and having the chicken area underneath the playhouse.

has anyone done this before?
This is the kind of thing we are thinking of purchasing (there are a couple of good priced second hand ones on ebay!


The chickens would be free ranging when I am at home (I only work part time)

[BobE]

Wouldn't you need to separate the kids from the chickens.  Cos they do make a mess.

[binxyboo]

Wouldn't you need to separate the kids from the chickens.  Cos they do make a mess.

yeah - I know kids are really messy!

[BobE]

Brill reply.  Shut me up at least.

[Prod]

Hi  I don't have kids  but that playhouse already looks high. Would you be able to make it stable and safe enough by raising it even higher.  If you only want a couple of chickens why don't you consider an Eglu? that would probably fit underneath with a run and then you can let them out when you are home??

[ehs284]

Great comments on messy chooks and sprogs  . Being boring and practical, I'll risk life and limb by saying, "Don't do it". The underneath and surrounding area will be contaminated however hard you try to keep it clean, the kids will be underneath with the chooks and then climb up. Before long the whole construction will be covered in enteric bacteria and ...you get the idea. One of the delights for children will be eating in their own house. One of your delights will be a night in the bathroom with them.
Not chook related, but the picture shows a super idea for older children, but not (as shown) for the 3/5 year olds suggested by the toys. The ladder is a no-no for a start, but I won't go on.
Hope you find a way to keep chooks. They are great.

[Beetroot queen]

I dont think i would do it either for the same reasons really. Not sure i am a true chook keeper they worry me now i know florence is highly allergic to eggs. She wants to help too much for my liking and hubby lets her collect the eggs, is that not just an accident waiting to happen.

Sorry off topic. But good luck whatever you decide.

[binxyboo]

Hi  I don't have kids  but that playhouse already looks high. Would you be able to make it stable and safe enough by raising it even higher.  If you only want a couple of chickens why don't you consider an Eglu? that would probably fit underneath with a run and then you can let them out when you are home??

Sorry - should have made myself a bit clearer. Yes, we are considering something similar to an Eglu (called a CluckBuddy http://www.cluckbuddy.com/) where they will roost. We just wanted to use the underneath of the playhouse as a run for when they can't be let out.
The playhouse won't be raised any higher than pictured (anything over 4m needs planning permission)

[loretta cluck]

If the mess my girls make, and the amount of poo they produce, is anything to go by, not a good idea mixing the hens and kids....need separate areas...not a nice thought of the flies passing through in summer, attracted to the smell of fresh chicken droppings, and the playhouse. 

[grinling]

There are planning regs for playhouses over 2.5m and it might be difficult to clean under that. An eglu arrangement might suit you better.
The well should have been mentioned by your solicitors as well as mortgage company and insurance companies; as I know when FIL's place was sold we were fortunate that next door had a mine shaft and we didn't.
Before doing anything have a survey done on the well.

[binxyboo]

There are planning regs for playhouses over 2.5m and it might be difficult to clean under that. An eglu arrangement might suit you better.
The well should have been mentioned by your solicitors as well as mortgage company and insurance companies; as I know when FIL's place was sold we were fortunate that next door had a mine shaft and we didn't.
Before doing anything have a survey done on the well.

No-one knew about the well, until we accidentally dug it up!
We are going to get the depth and water quality tested soon - then hopefully use it as garden irrigation

[frenchliving]

I have this type of playhouse for my kids but no where near as high, our birds love to sit on the veranda and roost, but as others have said to keep them there all the time, may be a problem. I am not familiar with the iglu system but if they are in there all the time, the run will smell and attract flies, hardly nice playtime for the kids!

[griff]

Don't no what hens you are having but my goldline would fly straight over your fence. You would have to trim the wings. Mind you they would love to fly off the top keep them happy for hours]

[binxyboo]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Back to the drawing board

[Sassy]

The ladder up to the house is an issue you need to be comfortable with. Re the hens - could you not fence in the area with a net roof to keep the hens contained and the children out - best of both worlds. Hens will love the shade and cover they get from the house.