[Baois Glas]

Just wondered is anyone has ever kept their chickens in a polytunnel type set up?

I've been thinking about ideas for when we get chickens again. We had up to 10 before and they were kept in a small wooden coop. I'm looking to keep away from wood as we had problems with red mite before and after having a google wondered if an adapted polytunnel might work.
We will be having around 30 hens, they have a paddock for during the day but I'm looking for a hen house for them for laying and overnight accommodation and came across poultry polytunnels on google.

If you have used one, what sort of netting did you use on the bottom, did it get too hot in there for them, and was it secure enough from foxes?

[chrismahon]

The big problem I can see is laying during the day when the sun is shining. The temperature will make them lay outside. Red Mite will live in dry ground so you will need some cunning perches, because they will multiply. On a warm day the hens may not come to roost because the tunnel will be too hot. How do you get enough ventilation in it and be fox secure?

[Bramblecot]

Friend lets her hens into their large commercial poytunnel.  Fox tore through side and killed 21 over the last 3 weeks (they thought it had got over 6' fence but it made a small hole in cover) .  Our tunnel gets very hot even with ventilated doors - might be good in winter though .

[WoodlandsDevon]

I have one for my buff orpingtons but more for a shelter than a run. I have 50mm mesh on the floor to stop the fox and it is under trees so never gets too hot. I am concerned about a fox/badger tearing through the side

[Baois Glas]

Thanks for the replies 

Looking at the pics on google they have the sides meshed to allow more ventilation, I'm thinking small holed galvanized mesh on the sides to make it more robust, and possibly some shade netting over the top to give a bit of protection.

We have foxes and badgers here so I am worried about making it safe enough for them