Are you looking for a way to make your backyard both productive and eco-friendly? A chicken coop greenhouse offers a sustainable solution by combining poultry keeping with gardening.🐤

This article will guide you through building one in eight easy-to-follow steps, maximizing your outdoor space’s potential. Let’s get started and see how simple it can be!

Benefits of Combining a Chicken Coop and Greenhouse

Combining a chicken coop and greenhouse offers lower costs for upkeep and mutual benefits for chickens and plants. It also provides an efficient use of space, making it a functional and creative addition to your backyard.

Lower costs for upkeep

Combining your chicken coop and greenhouse slashes maintenance costs in half. Chickens provide natural fertilizer for plants, saving you money on garden chemicals. Their pecking keeps pests at bay, reducing the need for costly pesticides.

In turn, the greenhouse environment creates a warm haven for your flock during colder months, cutting down on heating expenses.

Harnessing the power of this setup eliminates the expense of separate structures. With chickens contributing to compost production, there’s less need to buy soil amendments for plant health.

The symbiotic relationship between your poultry and greenery ensures a thriving ecosystem without breaking the bank.

Mutual benefits for chickens and plants

In return, plants play a vital role in providing chickens with shade and a cool environment during hot weather. They improve air quality around the coop while some can even serve as additional food sources for your poultry.

Creating this symbiotic relationship between chickens and plants leads to a more productive garden shed and outdoor run where both thrive together.

Efficient use of space

Maximizing your backyard space is a smart move, and the chicken coop greenhouse combo does just that. By stacking functions, this design saves room and transforms a single area into a multi-purpose haven for both poultry and plants.

Think of it as doubling down on your garden shed’s potential without spreading over more of your yard. This layout allows you to raise chickens in their outdoor run while nurturing seedlings in the same footprint where they benefit from each other’s presence.

The dual-purpose structure makes every square foot count — giving you the perks of fresh eggs and homegrown veggies all within arm’s reach. It’s practical permaculture at its best, creating an efficient mini-ecosystem right behind your house.

Now let’s prepare to put this plan into action by moving onto choosing the perfect spot for your DIY project—the first step in turning this creative urban chicken coop greenhouse dream into reality.

Consider If You Really Want To Build This:

You’re sold on wanting a chicken coop greenhouse, but are you really sold on building it yourself? There are far easier ways…

And the easiest way is to ‘piece them together’ with just 3 pieces.

These are the three products you need to make this happen:

Product 1: Palram Polycarbonate Greenhouse

Here are the top polycarbonate greenhouses on the market right now: The Best Polycarbonate Greenhouses To Buy In 2024 For People On A Budget

The Palram Canopia Greenhouse is a fantastic pick if you’re thinking about adding a chicken coop to your backyard garden setup. Its twin-wall polycarbonate roof and clear walls are just right for letting in plenty of light, which is great for both your plants and your feathered friends.

This greenhouse is sturdy, thanks to its tough aluminum frame and steel base, making it more than capable of handling a chicken coop attachment. You won’t have to worry about it getting weather-beaten either.

Setting it up is pretty straightforward, so if you’re into DIY, you’ll have a good time putting it all together. Plus, its lockable door and adjustable vent make it super easy to manage both your plants and chickens in one spot. And, the built-in gutter system? That’s a neat bonus for dealing with rainwater.

In short, it’s a solid, low-maintenance choice that makes it a breeze to combine your gardening and chicken-keeping hobbies.

Check Price ➡️ Amazon

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Product 2: Zoovilla Chicken Coop

The Zoovilla Country Style Chicken Coop is a neat choice if you’re thinking about attaching it to your greenhouse. It’s got a cool metal nest box and asphalt roof panels that add a bit of style to your backyard. This coop is pretty roomy, stretching over 52 inches in length and 26 inches in width, and it stands about 40.5 inches tall. Made of metal, it’s designed for outdoor use, so it’ll hold up well next to a greenhouse.

This chicken house isn’t just for looks; it can comfortably fit up to 6 hens. It comes with two large nesting boxes and has four lockable doors, which is super handy for keeping your chickens safe and secure. Plus, the coop has a removable tray, making cleaning less of a hassle. The Canadian Hemlock construction with a white and grey oil-based stain, topped with black asphalt roof panels, gives it a stylish yet durable edge.

It’s a great way to add a chicken-keeping space to your gardening area, blending functionality with a touch of country charm.

Check Price ➡️ Amazon

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Product 3: Run-Chicken Automatic Door

The RUN-CHICKEN Door, is a game-changer if you’re thinking about connecting your chicken coop to your greenhouse. This automatic chicken coop door is a breeze to install – you’re looking at a quick 10-minute setup with no messy wiring. It’s designed to fit pretty much any chicken coop, whether it’s wood, plastic, metal, or even wire mesh. If your existing door is too big, just tweak it with some extra wood, and you’re good to go.

This door isn’t just about convenience; it’s super smart too. You can program it using a phone app, setting it to open and close whenever you want. This means your chickens can stroll in and out of their coop into the greenhouse at their leisure. It’s battery-operated, so you don’t have to deal with complex solar panels, and it’s built tough to withstand all sorts of weather, from snowy cold to desert heat.

The aluminum design is not only durable but also looks pretty sleek. Plus, it’s got safety features to make sure your chickens don’t get stuck. And if you ever need help, there’s 24/7 customer support. It’s a great way to give your chickens freedom while keeping them safe and taking a load off your daily chores.

Check Price ➡️ Amazon

How To Build A Chicken Coop Greenhouse In 8 Easy Steps:

Now that you’ve seen some alternatives, let’s jump into how you could actually build this chicken coop greenhouse combo.

Planning and Preparing Your Site

Choosing the right location for your backyard chicken coop greenhouse is crucial to its success. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, preparing the ground and building a sturdy frame will set the foundation for your project.

Step 1: Choosing the right location

A suitable location for your backyard chicken coop greenhouse is essential. Look for a spot with ample sunlight exposure throughout the day and good drainage to prevent flooding. Ensure that it’s easy to access for both maintenance and harvesting, keeping in mind the need for protection from strong winds and potential predators.

Make sure the area is away from any potentially harmful chemicals or hazardous substances, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for your chickens and plants.

When deciding on the right location, consider factors such as sun exposure, access, drainage, and safety from predators. Positioning your backyard chicken coop greenhouse in an ideal spot will create a thriving environment for both your chickens and plants while making maintenance more efficient.

Step 2: Preparing the ground

Step 3: Building a sturdy frame

After preparing the ground, it is time to focus on building a sturdy frame for your backyard chicken coop greenhouse. Start by assembling the lumber and ensuring that all pieces are cut according to your design plan.

Secure the posts firmly into the ground, using concrete if needed for extra stability. Next, attach the wire mesh to create walls around the frame, offering protection and security for both your chickens and plants.

With the frame in place, you can proceed to construct doors and roof supports. Building a solid foundation will ensure that your chicken coop greenhouse stands strong against various weather conditions.

Building the Chicken Coop and Greenhouse

Add posts and wire, frame the doors and roof, and incorporate ventilation and insulation to create a functional backyard chicken coop greenhouse. Read on to learn how to build your own!

Step 4: Adding posts and wire

To begin building the chicken coop greenhouse, start by setting up sturdy posts along the perimeter of your chosen site. Secure wire mesh to these posts to create a barrier that will keep your chickens safe and protected while allowing sunlight and fresh air into the space.

This step is crucial for establishing the boundaries of your chicken run and ensuring the safety of your feathered friends.

Next, attach additional wire mesh to form the walls around the greenhouse area, providing security for both plants and chickens. Make sure to fasten all wires securely to prevent any potential hazards or escapes.

Step 5: Framing the doors and roof

Once the posts and wire are in place, frame the doors and roof to secure your backyard chicken coop greenhouse. Use quality materials for durability. Ensure proper ventilation by incorporating adjustable windows or vents.

Additionally, insulate the structure to maintain a comfortable environment for both plants and chickens.

After framing the doors and roof, continue with adding finishing touches like raised gardens and a rainwater harvesting system to complete your backyard chicken coop greenhouse.

Step 6: Adding ventilation and insulation

Proper ventilation is essential for ensuring fresh air circulation inside your chicken coop greenhouse. Insulation helps regulate temperature variations throughout the year, creating a comfortable environment for both plants and poultry.

Here’s how to use shade cloth for temperature control: A Down & Dirty Guide To Choosing The Right Shade Cloth For Your Greenhouse 🌱

Finishing Touches

Add a personal touch to your backyard chicken coop greenhouse by incorporating raised gardens for growing herbs and vegetables. You can also install a rainwater harvesting system to ensure sustainable water use for your plants and chickens.

Step 7: Adding raised gardens

To enhance the functionality of your space, consider incorporating various levels of raised gardens to accommodate different plant varieties and root depths. This allows you to optimize growing conditions and maximize your yield within the same compact area as part of your permaculture chicken coop greenhouse setup.

Step 8: Incorporating a rainwater harvesting system

fter adding raised gardens to your backyard chicken coop greenhouse, consider incorporating a rainwater harvesting system. This sustainable practice can help reduce water usage and provide a natural source of water for your plants and chickens.

Using gutters and downspouts, you can collect rainwater from the roof of the greenhouse, directing it into storage containers or barrels for later use.

Installing a simple filtration system ensures that the collected rainwater is free from debris before being used for watering your plants or poultry. By utilizing this eco-friendly method, you can promote self-sufficiency in maintaining your garden while minimizing reliance on traditional water sources.

Maintaining and caring for your backyard chicken coop greenhouse.

To ensure the longevity and productivity of your backyard chicken coop greenhouse, regular maintenance is essential. Clean the coop regularly by removing droppings and old bedding.

Inspect the structure for any signs of damage or wear, repairing or replacing as needed to keep it secure for your chickens and plants. Additionally, monitor the temperature within the greenhouse to provide a comfortable environment for both chickens and plants.

Regularly check on your chickens’ health and well-being, keeping an eye out for any signs of illness or stress. Furthermore, maintain the greenery within the greenhouse by watering, pruning, and fertilizing as necessary to support a thriving ecosystem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, building a backyard chicken coop greenhouse is a great way to lower upkeep costs and mutually benefit chickens and plants. A sturdy frame, proper ventilation, and insulation are essential for the coop’s construction.

Adding raised gardens and incorporating a rainwater harvesting system adds functionality to your structure. Maintaining and caring for your coop greenhouse ensures its longevity as a self-sustaining permaculture feature in an urban setting.

FAQs

What materials do I need to build a backyard chicken coop greenhouse?

To build a backyard chicken coop greenhouse, you will need basic supplies like wood, nails and screws, clear plastic or polycarbonate panels for the greenhouse part, wire mesh for the chicken run area, and hinges for doors.

How much space do I need in my backyard to construct a chicken coop greenhouse?

The space required depends on how many chickens you plan to keep. Generally, each chicken needs about 4 square feet of coop space and 8-10 square feet in the run area attached to the coop.

Do I need any special skills or experience to build a backyard chicken coop greenhouse?

While some experience with woodworking is helpful, building a simple backyard chicken coop greenhouse can be achieved by following step-by-step instructions even without specialized skills.

Can I modify the design of the backyard chicken coop greenhouse according to my specific needs?

Yes, you can customize the size and features of your backyard chicken coop greenhouse based on your individual requirements and available space.

Are there any local regulations or permits necessary before constructing a backyard chicken coop greenhouse?

It’s important to check with local authorities regarding zoning laws and any required permits before beginning construction on a backyard chicken coop greenhouse.