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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To keep chickens in an old greenhouse?

30 replies

MrsMotherHen · 14/04/2018 21:31

I want to get some chickens as pets to add to the family ideally three. Scramble, Poach and Fry will free range in the day then maybe live in the greenhouse?

I have an old greenhouse in our garden fairly big aswell about 3.5m long and 2m wide with concrete base slated work bench on one side the doors to the greenhouse slide and are lockable so are fox proof.....

Now the heat issue. Two of the glass panels on the roof smashed when the window was left open in the storms we had. So it's not hot like a greenhouse usually is and will put some netting over the "empty frames" They are next two each other so when it rains it will only have a small section that will get wet. I also plan it have a wooden coop in there so they can go in that.

The plan is to have them free range in the garden in the day and have the greenhouse as a "lockup / run" and line the greenhouse concrete floor with straw or wood shavings then have a coop in there aswell.

So AIBU to keep some chickens in the greenhouse?

OP posts:

SecretIsland · 14/04/2018 21:39

Won't it still be hotter than outside? Even with two smashed panels I would worry about the temperature in the height of summer.

Lucisky · 14/04/2018 21:40

I honestly think it would still be too hot. Have some chickens, but why not get one of those chicken runs you can move around to give them a bit of new ground every few days?
My greenhouse is a bit battered, but even with the door open, window open and various holes (ahem!) it was still over 80 degrees in there today, with an outside temp of 17. You will end up with roast chicken and boiled eggs.
Also, I don't know how secure the chickens would feel if they didn't have sufficient private and shut away space, especially for laying.

outabout · 14/04/2018 21:40

The heat does need resolving. I think painting the roof glass white will help a bit by reflecting the sun's heat outwards (but looks pretty odd).
Replacing some of the glass with plywood, suitably waterproofed so it doesn't disintegrate too quickly. Is it real glass or acrylic, I am presuming real glass. It can get quite fragile and the greenhouse if old may not have strong glass. Not sure if hens when panicking might actually break glass panes near ground level. You should get 4, the last...Roast.

MumW · 14/04/2018 21:41

I have an unheated greehouse and my gut feeling is that it will be too hot and too cold.
Having said that, I know nothing about hens.

AnneProtheroe · 14/04/2018 21:42

Foxes will get through netting.
Greenhouse will get too hot...

outabout · 14/04/2018 21:42

Yes about a 'private' space. If they feel exposed they will find a quiet corner of the garden rather than where you might want them.

QuiteCleanBandit · 14/04/2018 21:42

Way too hot and a fox will scramble onto the roof to get in.

You can buy fox proof runs -dont use chicken wire .

WindyWednesday · 14/04/2018 21:43

They have to be dark for rest times. You’d need to make sure it was really dark.

ADarkandStormyKnight · 14/04/2018 21:43

I would consider that in the winter. 9 months of the year I think you'll need something else.

QuestionableMouse · 14/04/2018 21:44

A greenhouse isn't suitable for chickens. Too hot, too cold, not enough ventilation.

Original poster

MrsMotherHen · 14/04/2018 21:44

there is a thermometer in there somewhere I will take note of some temps this week. I could easy take a few more panels out if needs must.
The bottom of the greenhouse is brickbase with metal panels then glass so peck proof.

OP posts:

ineedamoreadultieradult · 14/04/2018 21:44

Greenhouse will be too hot even with some missing panels. Get a hen house.

snewname · 14/04/2018 21:45

Too hot unless you will be there at sunrise and sunset each and every day to let them out. One forgotten or delayed time...

Angie169 · 14/04/2018 21:49

I would not ,
even with some broken glass it would still get very hot in there. Next time we have a sunny day go and stand in there with your coat ( feathers ) on and see how warm it is , It would be a good idea to buy a thermometer and put it in the green house and in the hutch to see just how warm it gets .
You could try to cover the glass in mirrored / reflective coating ( you can buy it for car windows ) but it would cost a fair bit ,
As for letting them have the run of the garden during the day you should only do this is your garden is very secure , chickens are very good at escaping through small gaps in hedges fencing , and they will dig up / eat lots of your plants so you need to make sure you have nothing that will make them ill .

Good luck with your venture

viques · 14/04/2018 21:50

wouldn't you have to be at home all the time though if they were given free range in the garden all day, to get them in if it poured down or there was a problem. I think they would be happier in a proper house with a run, could suit themselves to be in or out, you could move it for fresh ground and they would be more secure.

Hohofortherobbers · 14/04/2018 21:50

The fourth chicken should be named 'boiled' surely?

GardenGeek · 14/04/2018 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

outabout · 14/04/2018 21:51

If it is a decent framework with as you say brickwork, metal paneling then glass higher up you could investigate replacing all the glass with wood panels to turn it into a hut. It would cost but then so does a 'dedicated' hen house.
A green house is not suitable at all really although if they are out all day then the heat is less of an issue as they will be out trashing the garden.

viques · 14/04/2018 21:53

Ps haven't you forgotten Coddled and Omelette?

OnTheRise · 14/04/2018 21:54

It's a really bad idea. Sorry.

It'll be far too hot for them. They like somewhere coolish, with lots of ventilation. Also, chickens are susceptible to mites which will thrive in the hotter conditions; they want somewhere dark to sleep, and the glass panes won't provide that.

Bear in mind that if they're free-ranging in your garden they will scratch and peck at everything. EVERYTHING. They'll rub dust-baths into your grass, they'll destroy all your flowers, and they'll eat all and every seedling they can find.

I loved our chickens when we first got them. We only had four, and we have a big garden. Within a month there was almost nothing left of the garden.

Onedaylikethi5 · 14/04/2018 21:54

I keep chickens, no a greenhouse is in no way suitable. It would actually be cruel to keep hens in there. You need either a wooden or plastic hen house with proper best boxes and roosting bars.

Original poster

MrsMotherHen · 14/04/2018 21:55

I am home all day with two small children so that's not too much of an issue we do have another perfect spot for them which is opposite our back door again a good size and outdoors that might be an option also.

OP posts:

outabout · 14/04/2018 21:56

Hens are waterproof. They are also vicious to other creatures, up to around the size of a hen and beaks/claws have no obvious feeling so will gouge anything mercilessly.
You could cover the glass with cooking foil (cheap) but it will look rubbish and probably not cool enough.

SurferRona · 14/04/2018 21:58

Are you nuts? Way too hot for hens. Even with 2 frames knocked out. Originally forest birds, they like shade. Always our greatest fear, one of ours getting caught in the greenhouse... Proper coop, with run at least and a cover for shade in summer, and fox proof as required.

Somersetter · 14/04/2018 22:04

Also what about when you're away for the weekend, or on holiday? Not reasonable to expect whoever looks after them to be there reliably to let them out before it gets too warm inside. And not a cosy place to sleep either - it would be far too cold in winter.

As for the plan of having them free range all day long, how big is your garden and how high are the fences? Would they have access to shelter?

Seriously just buy a hen house.

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