4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[wombatally]

Further on from my hatching excercises earlier in the year I now appear to have (gulp) 24 chickens from the tiniest pekins to a huge cochin cockerel (we have a pekin cockerel too who can both take him on - he's such a softie!).

 

At the moment they are in 4 houses in the field next to the house surrounded by an electric fence.

 

With the dark nights and problems getting home earlier I'd like to house them all together and get an automatic pop hole opener.

 

So I thought about buying a 8x6 shed and converting it, I can use half the space for them to roost and the other half for food etc so it doesn't get wet in the winter.

 

Then I saw a metal version. This would be more robust as we are on the coast and would be less attractive to those blasted red mites.

 

Has anyone else done this - will they be warm enough in a larger shed and is metal the best choice (we'd put ventilation etc in).

 

Thanks everyone - where we live wood is destroyed in months!

[Redwing]

I think metal would be a poor choice as it would be so cold in winter and hot in summer

 

Myabe look at some of the really thick wood chicken houses or consider buying a £99 shed and replace it every couple of years

[Egluntyne]

I agree.....I'd be worried about it being too hot in summer and too cold ( and possibly damp) in winter.

[Jools]

Hi Wombat, I'm on the opposite coast to you

 

I'd definitely give metal a miss, as the others have said, unless you want frozen chicken in winter and roast in summer lol.

 

I've got several wooden houses, all fairly small for reasons that suit my situation, and they cope just fine with the wind, wet, cold and salt. I doubt a run of the mill shed would though, unless you paid a decent amount of money from a specialist manufacturer.

 

Also, with 24 chickens, I'd say you'd need pretty much all of that 8 x 6 for them as they grow. I had 26 cockerels last year in 10 x 5 and it got a bit cosy towards the end. Better they have too much space than not enough tbh.

[wombatally]

Thanks Guys

 

Had another look at wood - what do you think to this - not a bad price so if it does rot I can replace it easy enough. I'd install nest boxes and perches...

http://www.focusdiy.co.uk/Sheds-and-Outdoor-Storage/Payless-Overlap-Shed-8x6/invt/242700

 

Cheers!

[Jools]

It's hard to tell from a photo, but .......... rough sawn, overlap timber would concern me (and the felt roof of course, but no doubt you'd replace that anyway).

 

Overlap timber does just that, one piece overlaps another. Now wood shrinks and swells with the weather, which means that gaps will open between the overlapping lengths of wood, allowing the weather into the house. The second concern with overlapping timber is the wonderful hiding place it affords to the dreaded red mite. Say no more!!

 

The better quality wooden poultry housing is usually made from shiplap timber, where the joint from one piece of wood fits into the next. If you can find a reasonably priced shed built like that, do let me know!!

 

Jools

[abwsco]

I'm with Jools on that shed. The redmite would have a field day

[wombatally]

Thanks! I'm glad I looked on here before buying anything!!

 

http://www.waltons.co.uk/8x6-ultra-value-tongue-and-groove-garden-shed&P.Size=4

 

Found this one which isn't overlap but is a reasonable £218 inc delivery, any better?

 

I'll replace the felt with onduline when I work out where to get it.

 

My main reason for needing them all in one house is to get a pop hole opener and at about £130 with the door included and postage I can't afford 4!

[Jools]

That looks much more substantial

 

The obvious additions will be the pophole, perches and nest boxes - make sure the perches are higher than the nest boxes to make sure they go to bed in the right place.

 

Ventilation is another consideration, maybe drill a load of holes at the top, just under the roof. Chickens need lots of fresh air to avoid respiratory problems, but they hate draughts! You could also make an inner door of mesh, so you can leave that open on dry days (ha ha!!) which is always a good idea (not at night though).

 

Jools

[Redwing]

You can get onduline from Wickes and B&Q

[wombatally]

Great, thanks everyone! Going to get it ordered.

 

Good tip about the perches being higher than the nest boxes - didn't think of that. Half of my ladies are banties and they do like to be higher than their larger counterparts - some kind of psychological thing I think!

[Jools]

Yup, banties can definitely be bolshy! But I still love 'em.