Unsecure chicken perches

[Lavenders_Blue]

Has anyone had any experience of making a WIR from an old greenhouse? I'm trying to persuade hubby that a WIR is the way to go - we currently have an outdoor FR pen with no roof on it which has served us well so far, but with a combination of very rubbish weather in the last year and a couple of new hens that fly out at any opportunity (wings clipped ) I really need something more secure and weather proof.

 

Hubby spent a lot of time building our hen pen and so is understandably not that keen on doing it again, so I am trying to find a solution that is not too complicated or expensive. I reckon an old greenhouse frame with the glass replaced with weldmesh could be a cheap and workable option. Hopefully I could pick up an old greenhouse on Freecycle/Gumtree. I would probably keep the glass roof for weatherproofing purposes (can throw a shade over it/whitewash in summer) and replace the sides and door with mesh. Anyone have any experience of this?

 

A properly build WIR ie Aviaries4U type would be an absolute no-go due to cost! (However much I would love one ).

[christyrose12]

My girls have my taken over my greenhouse as its in their run and it is great for shelter for their food and also dust baths. I think your idea sounds good. I was going to say if you kept all the glass in it would get too hot in the summer. I leave my greenhouse door open during the day so they can come and go. Good idea to replace glass with mesh. Why dont you leave glass along one side for protection from wind and rain? Or replace it with something else as chickens having a dust bath tend to kick up stones which break the panes of glass. Something I have learnt and am going to replace them with plastic!!

[Lavenders_Blue]

Thanks Christyrose, I was wondering about leaving one side or the bottom level of glass in place for weatherproofing (probably reinforced with weldmesh). It's the logistics of whether it's possible I am wondering about?

[sandyhas3chucks]

I think there is a photo on the photos thread of what someone did with a green house.

[Lavenders_Blue]

Ooh thanks Sandy, I will take a look and see if I can find it.

[sandyhas3chucks]

just got back from looking,, its there early on too... I just kept looking AGAIN!!! lol

[christyrose12]

Wheres the photos thread? I looked in the gallery but couldnt see it there. Is there another place where photos are put?

[sandyhas3chucks]

lol 2 up from here ... this post. or try

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12663