HENthusiastic Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Hi guys, Ive bought a rabbit run and I want to convert it into a hen house. Its has a small run underneath, so the rabbits / chooks go up a ramp and enter the from underneath. The entrance hole doesnot look big enough so I was going to make it bigger. I've blocked up the front of the house to keep draughts out. What I'm wondering is...... will the hens be okay about entering through the floor, rather than a side wall? its for my rescue chooks which are due in a while. Im hoping to put the entire thing into my girls current walk in coop, so all girls can see and hear each other. After a few days I understand that I can then start to let them mix. Any thoughts on the conversion job? Also, I assume I'll have to make some kind of a door, so I can shut them in at night safe from draughts. (I know I'll need good ventilation too). Has anybody else done this kind of conversion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 What about roosting bars? Also I think I have read on her it is more than a few days (more like a few weeks) before you can start mixing the Exbats with your existing flock - you need them to recover first, otherwise they will get picked on. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 Ah yes, they will need roosting bars. That shouldn't be too hard. I think you are right about it being longer than a few days actually, its just a few days to integrate any new chooks isnt it? The rescue girls do need longer. I can keep the rescue girls in the converted set-up on a patch of lawn until they get their strength up and then move them into the coop just for a few days before they start to get integrated with the current girls. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 They will definitely need longer....it is a good idea to quarrantine them as you never know what passengars they are carrying, or what they might pick up from the established hens, if they are not very strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 i have a rabbit cage and was wondering how i can convert it to a coop? do u have pics of yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 Hi guys, THanks for the advice, I have read loads about rescue girls and I will keep them apart for a while until they are good and strong and ready to cope with any power struggles they may need to get involved in. Also in case there are any problems with 'passengers' etc. Debbie26pet; Ill take some photos and post them over the weekend. Do you have any thoughts about how you are going to convert yours? Is it one that comes with a run as well, or just an 'old fashioned' hutch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 Hi Debbie26pet. I'm afraid I didnt get around to taking piccis of my rabbit hutch and run as it started to snow heavily this afternoon! I havent done any more to it yet. Its basically a rectangular run. The hen house (rabbit hutch) sits on top of the run and there is a space in the bottom of the house with a ramp attached for them to go to and fro between the house and run. I think I'm going to have to make the hole bigger and also work out a way to put a door on, so they can be shut in at night. What are you going to do with yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...