Hen house to play house: possible? Safe?

July 1, 2013 10:17 AM

We have a little building in our garden that the previous owners used for a chicken coop and possible pigsty. I'd like to clean it out, fix it up, and turn it into a playhouse for Toddler Brambory. What should I use to clean it? Is this even a good idea?

From the description, the building sounds a bit dire, but it's actually a cute little brick with plaster creation. The roof could be removed if necessary. Inside, it's a little cobwebby and there is some old evidence of chickens, although the last time chickens were housed there was probably 10 years ago.

My plan would be to completely scrub it down (possibly with bleach?), repaint it inside and out, get ride of any wood components, put in a new floor, door, and possibly roof.

This probably won't get finished until at least next summer, when Toddler Brambory will be 2+.

So, considering my plans, is this unwise/unhealthy? What would be the best way to sanitise it completely?

posted by brambory to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

(IANAD) I don't know how effective the clean out would be so I can't say this with scientific certainty, but there are spores in chicken droppings. The spores can cause severe respiratory illnesses...especially when the droppings are not fresh - the spores are dispersed more when the droppings are dry.
posted by 3fluffies at 10:23 AM on July 1, 2013

Here are some ideas for naturally disinfecting a chicken coop.
(I am not in any way your chicken coop disinfector.)
posted by lungtaworld at 10:38 AM on July 1, 2013 [1 favorite]

I'd be more concerned about lead-based paint. Are there any painted surfaces? If so, I'd suggest checking them for lead. Also, some types of roofing may contain asbestos. (Looking into this is important for your safety as well, as you'd potentially be exposing yourself during the rehab phase of the project.)

On the sanitation front, if you clean out 100% of the old chicken dung (and any associated wildlife that may have moved in, mold or mildew, etc.) before bleaching, I think that would be fine. (And make sure any bleach you use is mixed with cool water only, as bleach plus hot water is itself a respiratory hazard.)
posted by pie ninja at 10:42 AM on July 1, 2013

My uncle did this to one of the old coops out on the farm, it went great. He pretty much did exactly what you're thinking of. Clean it out, make sure it's structurally sound put in a new floor etc. I think the key was he rented a paint sprayer and primed the entire thing twice, then put a couple of coats of new paint on. It really doesn't smell at all and looks nice and clean. The kids love playing in it.
posted by sanka at 11:14 AM on July 1, 2013 [2 favorites]

Absolutely use bleach. Liberally, and before doing anything else.

I've had an infection from cleaning pigeon manure out of a barn, even though I was wearing a breather.
posted by IAmBroom at 11:18 AM on July 1, 2013

Siblings spent a huge amount of time in a former coop. Clean thoroughly, add small table and chairs and leave them alone for great times.
posted by sammyo at 11:24 AM on July 1, 2013 [1 favorite]

My grandparents did the same for my mother and aunt, but I don't know what products they used. It had what looked like a bunch of thick coats of paint on it, so that may have been all they did.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:00 PM on July 1, 2013

Both pigs and chickens are vectors for diseases that enter the human population. I would never feel that a chicken coop or pig sty was safe for a child to play in.

Also, lead paints were used until the 1970's
posted by ohshenandoah at 5:06 PM on July 1, 2013

The sheer amount of time and cost of materials to really scrub and repaint and repair it - I would knock it down and put a little garden patch on it (chicken droppings!) and then put a new playhouse right next to it. The cost and time will probably be shorter, you'll feel safer and can pick something vintage looking that's child safe, and you can use the old bits of wood for a garden fence or something.

I had a wendy house as a little kid. Tiny porch, one inside room. It was heaven.
posted by viggorlijah at 4:54 AM on July 2, 2013