In the summer of 2023 we tore down the old shed that we converted part of into our coop, and then we built a new shed/coop combo from the ground up.
The old coop worked, but the shed was here when we bought the house and it was beginning to show wear. It needed new siding, trim and doors, which also would lead to painting. We needed a more secure run also. I wanted something bigger too. I also had must purchased a riding lawnmower that wouldn't fit through the doorway of the old shed. So that was it... I tore it down with a sawzall, circular saw, crowbar and hammer. Burned it all in a bonfire. Then went to work on a new building.
The new shed coop 2.0 is something I drew up. I wanted a bigger coop and more actual shed space. So I designed a 16ft×10ft building split down the middle with a wall, resulting in a 8ft×10ft shed room and 8ft×10ft coop room. I also added a 16ft×10ft overhang by extending the roof in the front. This provided plenty of space for a covered run for our small flock and a covered area in front of the shed side as well that let's us sit in the shade and work on things out of the rain.
The build began with level the ground. I also regraded the ground best I could to the proper grade of the yard, pitching down toward the back. Then I set footing blocks (a concrete foundation would be better, but this is a shed and the footing blocks maintain it's taxable status as a temporary structure, and I don't want to be taxed for another permanent structure). On top of the footings went treated 4x4s and treated 2x8 floor joists across those topped with 3/4" plywood for the floor.
Next up was framing the walls. This is when I decided I wanted a door to enter directly into the coop side and a roll-up door to enter the shed side. I also framed for a window in the shed side and two windows in the coop side - allowing a cross-breeze through the coop on hot days. This is also the part when I had a heck of a time setting two posts onto of concrete piles and connecting them in the air with three wood beams to frame the soon-to-be-covered overhang.
For the roof, I went overkill with custom trusses I built myself. It took time to make them, but the roof went up fast this way with less expensive lumber (2x4s rather than 2x6s and 2x8s) and it's stronger (snow load is a factor we had to consider). I put the trusses up and topped them with plywood and then shingles.
I sided the structure with pine siding panels, then trimmed and painted.
I then framed the run under half of the covered overhang. I wrapped the framing and top (bottom of trusses) with black coated welded wire. I wish I would have painted this framing white to match the rest before I attached the wire. The run has a secure door. With a spring loaded hinge and a self-latching doorknob-style handle.
I plan to put flag stone around the outside perimeter to deter possums from trying to dig under the run frame to get in. I also plan on putting wire mesh over the windows as something tore the screens on both of the coop windows - fortunately the windows were closed at the time.
Toss in the chickens and then some new chicks in Spring 2024 along with roost, poop board, nesting boxes, chicken swing, feeder, water, etc - the Shed Coop 2.0 is done! And you better believe I filled the shed side in no time.
(Not pictured, but we laid EPDM rubber as a protective flooring and then pine bedding over that)
The old coop worked, but the shed was here when we bought the house and it was beginning to show wear. It needed new siding, trim and doors, which also would lead to painting. We needed a more secure run also. I wanted something bigger too. I also had must purchased a riding lawnmower that wouldn't fit through the doorway of the old shed. So that was it... I tore it down with a sawzall, circular saw, crowbar and hammer. Burned it all in a bonfire. Then went to work on a new building.
The new shed coop 2.0 is something I drew up. I wanted a bigger coop and more actual shed space. So I designed a 16ft×10ft building split down the middle with a wall, resulting in a 8ft×10ft shed room and 8ft×10ft coop room. I also added a 16ft×10ft overhang by extending the roof in the front. This provided plenty of space for a covered run for our small flock and a covered area in front of the shed side as well that let's us sit in the shade and work on things out of the rain.
The build began with level the ground. I also regraded the ground best I could to the proper grade of the yard, pitching down toward the back. Then I set footing blocks (a concrete foundation would be better, but this is a shed and the footing blocks maintain it's taxable status as a temporary structure, and I don't want to be taxed for another permanent structure). On top of the footings went treated 4x4s and treated 2x8 floor joists across those topped with 3/4" plywood for the floor.
Next up was framing the walls. This is when I decided I wanted a door to enter directly into the coop side and a roll-up door to enter the shed side. I also framed for a window in the shed side and two windows in the coop side - allowing a cross-breeze through the coop on hot days. This is also the part when I had a heck of a time setting two posts onto of concrete piles and connecting them in the air with three wood beams to frame the soon-to-be-covered overhang.
For the roof, I went overkill with custom trusses I built myself. It took time to make them, but the roof went up fast this way with less expensive lumber (2x4s rather than 2x6s and 2x8s) and it's stronger (snow load is a factor we had to consider). I put the trusses up and topped them with plywood and then shingles.
I sided the structure with pine siding panels, then trimmed and painted.
I then framed the run under half of the covered overhang. I wrapped the framing and top (bottom of trusses) with black coated welded wire. I wish I would have painted this framing white to match the rest before I attached the wire. The run has a secure door. With a spring loaded hinge and a self-latching doorknob-style handle.
I plan to put flag stone around the outside perimeter to deter possums from trying to dig under the run frame to get in. I also plan on putting wire mesh over the windows as something tore the screens on both of the coop windows - fortunately the windows were closed at the time.
Toss in the chickens and then some new chicks in Spring 2024 along with roost, poop board, nesting boxes, chicken swing, feeder, water, etc - the Shed Coop 2.0 is done! And you better believe I filled the shed side in no time.
(Not pictured, but we laid EPDM rubber as a protective flooring and then pine bedding over that)
