Little Tikes playhouses are so awesome – and also a little weird. A chicken coop inside a house? It’s almost like they knew we would all be obsessed with raising backyard chickens one day! If you have a Little Tikes playhouse at your home or somewhere nearby, transforming it into a chicken coop is the perfect way to use it.
Preparation Tools
- A Little Tikes playhouse
- A chicken coop kit
- A drill and screwdriver
- A rotary tool
- Paint and paintbrushes
- A dust masks
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
- A measuring tapes
- A pencil and paper
- A tarp
- A staple gun
- Wood shims
- A paint roller
- A utility knifes
- A square
- A needle and thread
- A bucket
- A sponge
- A mop
- A sturdy step stool
- A measuring tape
- A pencil and paper
- Scissors
- A hammer
Transform Your Little Tikes Playhouse into a Chicken Coop
Step 1: Remove the Roof
Start by removing the roof and the uppermost side panels of the playhouse. You’ll now have a large open space for your chickens to roam around.
Step 2: Install a Coop Door
Next up, install a coop door. You can find a coop door at any homesteading store, such as Tractor Supply or Rural King. They come in single or double-door designs, and you can choose your door’s style, size, and color. When choosing a coop door, ensure it’s large enough to allow your chickens to easily enter and exit it. You’ll also want it to be sturdy enough to withstand the elements for many years.
Step 3: Add a Run Through Window
Now, you’ll want to add a run-through window. This will provide natural light to your chickens, which they need for their health. The window should be large enough for your chickens to enter and exit the coop as they please. A good rule of thumb is that the window should be approximately one-third the length of your coop.
Step 4: Install Ventilation and Light
Next, you’ll want to install ventilation and light in your coop. Ventilation is important because it helps regulate the temperature inside your coop. A good ventilation system will help your chickens stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You can install a ventilation fan with a timer. This will allow you to regulate the temperature inside your coop while conserving energy. Light is also important because it allows chickens to see what’s happening around them. A good light fixture will provide your chickens with enough light while staying safe in a chicken coop environment. You can find light fixtures at your local hardware or homesteading store.
Step 5: Add an Egg Holder and Nesting Material
Now, add an egg holder and nesting material. Once your chickens start laying eggs, you’ll want to be able to easily remove them from the coop. An egg holder keeps the eggs safe and organized, so you don’t have to worry about stepping on them or damaging them in some other way. Egg holders come in many different shapes, sizes, and designs. You can also find them at your local homesteading store. Nesting material is essential for your chickens to be comfortable. It keeps them warm and helps with their digestion. You can find nesting material at your local hardware store or homesteading store.
Check out my other DIY Projects here.