[slowef]

I saw some plastic sheds in our discount store £85.00 for 6 x 3 shed so seems a bargain

Plastic shed sounds ideal for another hen house as its easy to hose clean but what about condensation and ventilation.  It only had a small plastic panel for light (I could mesh this) but its not very big.

Anyone else use one?  I wanted to build a new house and run to seperate some of my birds for breeding.

[GrannieAnnie]

Must say, we thought about the condensation issue too with plastic.  Also heat loss in winter.  Eglu's are different as although plastic, they are double insulated, and aunti can tell you what their ventilation is like, as I've only ever seen pics of them.

Ventilation needn't be a problem as like you said, you can mesh over the thing that's there, and if not enough, you could cut another vent through.

Also would they be too light if you had a gale?  Wouldn't want to see your chooks flying across the houses!!!!!

[Bodger]

I've looked at these before, but like you have wondered about condensation and ventilation. I don't know how the ones that I've seen would take to being cut and altered. It is a thought though.

The heat loss is nothing to worry about, as has been said before, its draught and damp that chickens don't cope with. Their feathers are the tops when it comes to keeping warm. Some of the healthiest chickens that I ever raised spent their lives on free range and sleeping at nights at the top of some very tall conifers in all weathers.

[slowef]

Yes wind and gales are a problem here we are high up and open,  the place where it would be is behind a privit hedge which provides shade in summer.  I think some holes in the bottom might be needed too for allowing fluids like water to drain away as it would be like a big bucket.

I was hoping the heavy duty plastic its made from would deter rats from getting in but not sure if they could chew through eventually its bound to have weak spots they might start on

Decisions Decisions

[Bodger]

If you think that rats will go through wood and even concrete, plastic will not be a bar to rats.

I wouldn't drill a hole in the floor for liquids, because even a wooden floor will hold water. Much better to mop the floor rather than to have it soak in like it does with a wood.