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[scottishchicken]

I'm just at the planning stages of getting our first chickens, so bear with me...

 

We've got an old timber-framed greenhouse that isn't used for growing any more but is still weather tight. I'm thinking about whether we can convert it for our birds. It has in-ground beds down one side and a concrete base.

 

My concern is the heat in the summer. It doesn't get sun all day, so I'm wondering if white washing the interior might be enough to keep the temperature down.

 

I'm not sure how this forum works, but will post a photo if I can.

[beach chick]

I think if you take the glass out (maybe on a couple of sides, depending on where the sun comes in) and replace with weldmesh it would be ideal!

[Plum]

I don't know if white washing will be enough you can always hang tarpaulin across the roof for more shade to keep temperature down.

[scottishchicken]

Ah yes, a big tarp on the roof should do the trick, and nice and easy too! The house is actually polycarbonate so cutting pieces out is relatively easy. I'm thinking of butting a Cube up against the inside and cutting a hatch for egg retrieval. Off to the garden centre for whitewash! Thanks folks!

[scottishchicken]

Work has begun! Here are a couple of before photos:

Edited June 29, 2011 by Guest

[Plum]

Looks a really good size. Are you going to change a wall to weldmesh, I think they need a flow of air to stay healthy

[Tweety]

That looks ideal, but I agree with Plum that you need to have at least one side weldmesh. Even with a tarp over the greenhouse for shade, it will be too hot as it is.

Looking forward to seeing the after pics!

[Jools]

I'd be inclined to put some mesh panels in higher up for ventilation. I have a polytunnel (for plants not for chickens) and as warm air rises, it needs to escape higher up. Mind you, I have a mesh panel at the bottom as well because cold air falls and needs to escape too. I'm assuming that Scottishchick lives up to her name and is in Scotland! The summers further north have been distinctly un-summery lately. A good day is a warm day and a normal day is a wet day!!

[scottishchicken]

Hi folks - thanks for all the ideas. I agree heat is the main issue - I've got a min/max thermometer in there to check what's going on, and we're in for a hot one today which will be good for testing.

 

Repairs and alterations are continuing. The roof tarp is on...

 

and today I'm adding a tarpauline to the south side of the house.

 

Here's a shot of the interior:

There used to be a slatted bench down the right hand side but we thought poop would go between the slats, build up underneath and turn into a bit of a health hazard. The soil in this right hand bed is a little damp.

 

Down the left, the big soil bed is full of bone-dry, dusty old compost. What do you think? Should we leave these two as-is, or...

 

Any other thoughts when you see the inside?

 

The race is on to get it finished - we've found some birds available locally!

[Plum]

I'd have thought they'd enjoy both. Looks good

[Cinnamon]

Looks good,but please do at least one long side in weldmesh or you may have problems with lack of ventilation for the hens.

They are outdoor animals & need a very good flow of air to keep them well - hence the vents in the Eglu & Cube.

It is not just the heat that is the issue,but air flow,which they really need.

I would hate for you to do all this work & have them be unhealthy & unhappy

[scottishchicken]

Thanks for the feedback folks - Cinnamon, I'm now removing the main part of one side and replacing it with mesh. Today, although the outside shade temperature was 25C (which happens rarely up here), the run temperature was only 2 degrees higher. The birds will mostly be allowed to free range; it's just the odd weekend we're away that they'll stay in their run all day.

[scottishchicken]

And here is the finished 'Whitehouse' as it has now been named, complete with new chickens. More bird photos here:

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Wow, good work! This looks very airy and nice.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That looks great .

[scottishchicken]

Thank you all

 

We've had a couple of real scorchers here the last couple of days and it has actually been a relief to go into the run and out of the heat of the day. From greenhouse to coolhouse!