How to Convert a Rabbit Hutch to Chicken Coop?
The best way to convert your rabbit hutch into a chicken coop is to frame it in plywood, then attach siding to the frame. The first thing that needs to be done when converting a rabbit hutch into a chicken coop is to measure its dimensions with a measuring tape or yardstick to construct an extension that will match those dimensions perfectly.
This includes measuring how deep, tall, and wide it is, plus any additional space needed for ventilation at the top or bottom of your extension. You should also caulk the holes that will be left by nails and screws.
If you’re planning on keeping multiple types of birds in your coop, consider lining it with wire fencing. Once you are done converting the hutch, clean up all paint splatters and debris, then finish with a coat of primer before painting it out again.
Can You Turn a Rabbit Hutch in Chicken Coop?
The answer is yes, you can use what you need from the rabbit hutch to make it your chicken coop. The process of turning a rabbit coop into a chicken coop will require some clean-up and cutting that didn’t work out well for rabbits.
If you have a good-sized area of land that is not being used for anything, or if you are simply looking for a new hobby, it may be time to convert your rabbit hutch into a chicken coop. It sounds like fun and can be done using basic building skills.
Before You Start the Conversion
First, look at the dimensions of the existing rabbit hutch. For example, if it is exactly 36 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 12 inches tall, you will need to build an extension that matches that same height and depth on all sides. Next, place a roost at the top of the extension’s wall.
You will then need to purchase two 2 x 4 x 8 inches wood boards for each side of the coop’s length. These boards will be used for framing and letting your chicken run around inside their new home. You can also buy metal chicken wire and screw it to the 2 by 4s on top of the boards so they won’t chew through or puncture any holes in their new home.
Secure some wood for each corner of the newly made extension so it will be sturdy enough not to collapse on itself or come apart once all work on it has been completed. The structure may be finished in any way you like, such as cement, paint, or wood.
Similarities between a Rabbit Hutch to Chicken Coop
The coop is generally used to house the chicken’s accommodation, with this being found in both structures. The hutch is an enclosure that generally houses the rabbit’s place of residence, with the size of the hutch varying depending on how many rabbits are kept.
The shape can also vary depending on what type of animal it is, but there isn’t any particular shape for either structure. A Chicken Coop and a Rabbit Hutch typically share common elements such as roofing material and flooring material, but there are some differences between them.
A Rabbit Hutch is a fundamental structure for housing rabbits. It is made of either wood or wire mesh, with a dirt floor. The chickens are often housed in structures that look very similar to this. The base can be made of any solid material, including wood chips or sand/soil, but the chickens prefer to have their feet on dirt for better traction.
Two of the most basic structures used by farmers are a chicken coop and a rabbit hutch.
The main difference between these two structures is size. A hutch can be large or small, while the chicken coop should always be smaller than the size of the chicken who will live inside it.” A hutch can be thought to be an outdoor rabbit pen that provides shelter and has enough space for all your bunny friends.
On the other hand, a chicken-coop would refer to an enclosed space where chickens can lay eggs and raise their young without predators getting in their way.
Required Tools and Materials
In order to convert your rabbit hutch to a chicken coop, you will need:
- A saw for cutting wood
- Drill-You will need this tool for drilling holes in the rabbit hutch walls, depending on what type of design you want
- One pair of metal shears
- Screwdriver (to screw in the screws for attaching the plywood top). A couple of 2x4s are just enough to create the frame used to stand up your enclosure. A length of 1-inch diameter pipe – about 12 feet long: this can be either galvanized or PVC pipe; either one will work fine
- One small door hinge (if the door does not have one) and one medium door hinge (if it has one)
- You will need 16 feet of 3/4-inch x 1-1/4-inch lattice. This will be the first layer as well as support for the raised roosting area. The exterior wood supports also need 8 feet of 3/4-inch x 2-1/2 inch lattice. You’ll need 10 feet of 1-inch wire netting material for the floor. Finally, you’ll need four stakes per side made out of pressure-treated 2×4 or cedar fencing stakes with galvanized or stainless steel top spikes for venting purposes
- 1 sheet of 3/4 inch OSB board or other similar material. The OSB should be at least 36″ x 24″ in size. This can be cut using either a hand saw or an electric saw with wood sharpening blades
- You will also need remnant pieces of wood if you are not able to acquire enough clean wood for your project
- 4 pieces of 2 x 4 x 8 inches rough cuts lumber for sidewalls and top of the coop
Converting Rabbit Hutch to Chicken Coop
The following steps can be followed while converting your rabbit hutch into a chicken coop;
– Cleaning the Hutch
Your bunny hutch may contain bedding, which is grimey and must be cleaned. If you don’t clean the hutch or remove bedding, you’ll need to see a specialist about removing this nasty material from your coop’s insulation. Cleaning the hutch may also shed light on issues with ventilation in the unit.
– Checking for Damages
When converting a rabbit hutch to a chicken coop, one of the first things to do is check for any damages to the house. Look for dents, scratches, or anything out of the ordinary that would need refinishing. Take care of all repairs before continuing with conversion.
– Installing Waterproof Roof
The material list is 12 feet of 2x4s, 10 feet of 1x2s, 100 square feet of tarpaper for the roofing membrane (this will not come in a single roll), 100 square feet of felt paper (this also will not come in a single roll) and tarps.
First, assemble the framing for your structure. Then nail on tarpaper on top with nails about every 5 inches or so across the entire width and length.
– Installing Walls
The first option is to build two walls across the front of the structure at 36-inch intervals with studs nailed in place vertically every 24 inches apart horizontally. The second option is to build one wall across the front of the structure at 36-inch intervals with studs nailed in place vertically every 24 inches apart horizontally.
– Rooster Perch
Construct a platform of at least 51″ in height, with 3-4′ spacing between uprights. The bench will measure about 36×24×12″ front to back, the width of the bench stays at 36″, but it’s trimmed down from 3′ 2″ to 2′ 6 1/2″ in depth.”
– Nesting Box
Nest boxes for chickens come in many sizes, including 24 inches deep by 12 inches across, 24 inches wide by 36 inches deep, and 36-inch wide by 60-inch long. If you are building a confined chicken pen or run that is more than 1 square foot (1 square meter), then you will want to use the 36-by-60 box.
– Chicken Leader
Chicken Leader is a company that offers chicken coops and chicken equipment. We offer a variety of sizes and styles of chicken coops, all designed to be affordable for the individual family or farmer. Our coops come with standard features such as roosts, nest boxes, perches, and access doors.
– Bedding
To add bedding material, gather supplies. If using sawdust or shavings, you’ll need a cutting board and knife. You’ll also need enough of these materials for three layers of litter (about four inches deep) per square yard of coop floor space (about 9 square feet).
How Many Chickens Can You House in a Rabbit Hutch?
As long as your rabbit hutch is 36 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 12 inches tall, then eight chickens can be housed in it. So if you have a larger-sized garden area, then more than eight chickens can comfortably coexist in your rabbit hutch.
Bottom Line
Chickens can be a great food source for us on our homestead, but they require a lot of space. The amount of space chickens should have in a chicken coop is proportional to the number of poultry birds.
When building your coop, ensure that it is ventilated appropriately and has plenty of means for water and food. The best placement for these items is directly under or near your hens’ nesting area.