Do you think a smaller chicken coop would make a good cat house for our barn/feral cats if they get stuck outside? I have limited building skills, and I like how cute they look.
Thinking something like this: https://www.rona.ca/en/product/pawhut-4325-in-red-wood-chicken-coop-d51-261rd-331016749 but I don’t actually know what the inside of a chicken coop looks like.
We are now up to 11 tame cats, plus two TNR ferals …it’s overwhelming!
I think it would be better to find something insulated. Can you buy an insulated dog house? Just make sure the doorway is small enough for cats (nail boards to reduce the opening).
These little coops are poorly built out of cheap materials. They last about a season outside, and aren’t at all predator proof (if that’s a concern for your kitties.)
Not sure your weather, but my outdoor kitties loved storage containers filled with hay at the bottom. The sides broke the wind and I cut a two holes for an entrance and emergency exit if needed. I’m sure you could add a flap of some kind.
There’s a wonderful rescuer near me who goes by Black Noah. He has converted a couple of sheds from Home Depot into cat housing. He added a screened in porch so the cats can chill outside (hardware cloth for screening) and window unit AC for the hot days.
Those chicken coops aren’t really worth fooling with, they aren’t roomy enough for multiple cats.
It is more just a place for them to chill but feel safe or dry until I come out to let them in - they stay in the barn at night. I made them a house a few years ago, but a storm flipped it over last year and it is in rough shape.
I went to our local farm store to see the chicken coops, and the three outdoor display models were all in rough shape from storms last week, so not giving me a lot of confidence in their value.
I appreciate the feedback that cements my decision that they aren’t worth the money
I know someone who used a smaller version of the chicken house you get at Tractor Supply for their outdoor working cats (two cats) and the cats seem to love it. She fed them in it and they go running right inside as soon as they see her.
I agree that the construction is not the best in the world but the cats do not seem to mind.
I am sure if you were wanting to spend more you can could get someone near you who builds chicken coops to build you something for your cats.
(It seems like there is always someone who can do this stuff on Facebook.)
We bought a large chicken coop made by an old fellow and sold on FB Marketplace, about 6 years ago. It was less money than the TSC ones and has held up well.
We stain it every year or so, and reinforced the cheap chicken wire with the heavier stuff.
Last year we had a big old tom cat who was left behind by a neighbour who moved 
… and we kept him in there until we could get him neutered and rehomed. (He beat up our placid barn cats).
One of my chickens coops came with the place and used to be a one horse trailer. It’s STOUT and they left the plexiglass window in the nose. I let our chickens out during the day and one of our cats sleeps in the straw/nests in that window all day long. I’ve thought about putting eggs under him to hatch. lol
Is it not possible to just make a small opening in the barn where they can come and go as they choose?
I suppose we could install a cat door, but I would rather not. Plus, the cats seem to like sitting on their current cat house to watch people come and go, so I want to add another one. They like looking over their domaine.
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