Plastic shed hunt

HENthusiastic · August 8, 2010

Hi Guys,

After a tiresome battle with redmite I'm looking for a plastic shed to house my girls in. I need to get as big as poss, but also need to stay as cheap as poss (I'm breaking into the holiday savings ).

Does anybody know of any good offers at the moment? What do you think of this one?

http://www.shedstore.co.uk/plastic-garden-sheds/duramax-sheds/duramate/duramax-duramate-plastic-shed-8-by-5

Thanks for any comments

Treekeeper · August 8, 2010

You would be better off saving up the extra and going for a cube they are tested and proved. The trouble with a lot of these plastic sheds is they are not double skinned so they are really hot in summer and really cold in winter they also condensate inside and your poor old chooks would be rained on.

Cinnamon · August 8, 2010

I can second the comment about the condensation.

My dads stuff all got really damaged by that - would think it wasn't really a great environment for hens....

Moving this to the housing section too,where it is more at home

HENthusiastic · August 8, 2010

I currently have 40 chickens with more on the way. They will not fit in a cube. I can not afford a cube. I can not afford 4 cubes.

I put it in the nesting box section becasue people who read that section may have / know about plastic sheds. People only read the eglus, cubes and runs section if they are interested in eglus cubes and runs.

Thank you for comments about condensation - thats helpful to know. The door would be open continually; do you think that would help the problem?

Cinnamon · August 8, 2010

I put it in the nesting box section becasue people who read that section may have / know about plastic sheds. People only read the eglus, cubes and runs section if they are interested in eglus cubes and runs.

There is a shadow link still in the NB,so actually it is featuring in BOTH sections

The Eglus,Cubes & Runs area plays host to all hen housing posts.

Tutti Frutti · August 8, 2010

|We have a metal shed for our garden tools etc and get condensation in the winter - we **think** it's because it doesn't have a floor (just sits on a concrete base) so it might be worth investigating whether the optional floor would help??? The girls will make some water vapour with their breath but I'd have thought ventilation will resolve that so having the door open (and small air holes at the top to encourage air flow???) will be a huge help.

Good luck with your search.

Lewis · August 8, 2010

We've got a plastic shed, similar to the link, but obv not for chickens.

Ours was from Costco

Never had problems with condensation I don't think, and we've had it for at least 5 years. Has got a floor so maybe its that.

Its quite cool in the summer, but it is under a tree - when the suns on it and the door is shut it does get hot in there!

chuckmum6 · August 8, 2010

Maybe a wooden one would be better, obviously the Omlet range is designed for livestock and keeps them warm/cool with its double wall construction and ventilation - not so the tool shed. You might find your birds don't do so well in it, where as a wooden purpose built would be better.

cordelia · August 8, 2010

*deleted*

Edited August 10, 2010 by Guest

chicken bark · August 8, 2010

As others have said, ventilation is key to keeping condensation to a minimum. If you can get extra holes in the plastic shed without compromising on its structural integrity then I think it would be okay.

Jools · August 8, 2010

Whatever you go for, please don't double-skin it! Mind you, I think you know that anyway!!

I know you've had a rotten experience with your shed but it wasn't really chicken friendly, so don't be put off wood per se.

Apparantly you can still get hold of the original creosote from farm supply places, so a decently built house soaked in creosote is still an option ........

Plum · August 9, 2010

£555 for 50 hen size at this site, sure you can find a bargain somewhere. http://www.farmyardpoultry.co.uk/acatalog/Swiss_Chalet.htmlwhy not go for a wooden shed and treat it to keep on top of things. The problem with your other one was the birds and the design. If you get one that's more accessible would that work?

HENthusiastic · August 10, 2010

Don't worry Jools, I won't be double skinning anything . Thanks PLUM I'll have a look at that link. And another re-think

Snowy · August 10, 2010

I agree Hen, a decent sized wooden shed/house would probably be your best bet. Plastic can still get red mite and at least with wood you have the option to burn and replace every few years.