Ideas on refurbing a chicken run into a greenhouse

[simon180399]

Good morning,

I have a large chicken run that's approx 16x12x7ft in size, its made with 2x2" framing and covered in 50mm chicken mesh.

This year we have grown all our brassicas inside it to stop the pigeons eating everything, but I am thinking of converting it in the winter to a large 'greenhouse' type structure. We have a small 9ft poly-tunnel and everything in there is huge and this giant 'cage' I have would certainly give me a lot more growing space as I was thinking about using the one tonne dumpy bags as raised beds within it to utilize the growing space.

The roof is flat with a sight run off but im not sure whether to leave it like that or make it into an apex shape, I will be harvesting the water through a guttering system.

Also I was thinking of leaving the mesh in place to help with rigidity plus I was thinking it would be great for any climbing varieties I decide to grow (thinking about a grape vine).

as far as the covering goes I was thinking of strong heavy duty builders polythene sheeting which could be stapled to the frame and then battened over with 2x1" roofing battens.

Its just an idea at the moment as funds are quite tight and I am sure this would work but if anyone can offer any ideas, suggestions or advice then please do tell, as it really would be appreciated.

thank you regards simon

[rustylady]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Don't forget to allow for ventilation though.

[veggiechicken]

Any photos Simon?

[simon180399]

thanks rustylady, veggichicken, I am hoping to get up to the allotment later and I will take a few pics then and post them up.

At least then you will get an understanding of what I am attempting to achieve lol.

[veggiechicken]

Goodo!! It is a bit difficult Sounds good in theory though

[weemer78]

Sounds good to me. I recently aquired a old greenhouse with only few sheets of glass I went on amazon and got some polycarbonate sheeting that did the trick it did need bracing in the middle though.

[RedThorn]

You can order polytunnel plastic by the metre and it comes in a variety of widths.

It's reasonably priced too for those of us that's cost conscious ....

[simon180399]

I was thinking about buying a few of these Toolstation > Hand Tools > Builders Tools > 3m x 4m Polythene Sheet as the heavy duty ones are strong and easier to manage than one complete piece plus I can batten over the joins, well thats the idea anyway

[RedThorn]

Hmm are they uv stabilised? Wanders off to goggle more...

[simon180399]

I am not sure if they are UV stabilised I will endeavour to find out.

as promised photos

[simon180399]

not sure why they all appeared twice sorry.

[BUFFS]

i did exactly what you want to do,5m x 3m frame,i strengthened the main frame,put that ripple plastic on the roof and found a place which cut polycarbonate sheeting to size, surprisingly cheaply,and delivered,just had to pin it to the frame,some roofing lathes for the staging and its now up and running and peppers,chillies,figs and peaches love it,it will have paid for itself in no time...