Can I use a plastic or metal shed as a coop?

[Chido]

My chickens have free reign of our fenced backyard and also a fenced area where we contain them when we're mowing the grass or we have visit. The run is really big and under some trees, so the are is shaded. We have our current coop in there, a small premade coop we bought. We have 7 chickens that fit well in the coop and they only use it to sleep or to lay their eggs, otherwise they are free to come and go. Since we're probably going to increase the number of chickens we have --trying to catch two stray hens that get into our yard to eat and get some fresh water, plus our rooster got big and we're planning on getting a couple of brahma hens for him--, I'm looking for options to use as coop. I checked craiglist but the coops I saw are kinda pricy and also aready assembled, so it'd be really hard to transport them and get them home.

My other option would be a shed. Wooden sheds are expensive, but found a couple of decent sized plastic sheds I liked in Home Depot and that I can afford. I don't really have the skills to build a coop from scratch, but I could find a way to make some ventilation openings and install some roosts inside. I live in Southern California so it can get hot here in the summer, but the area where I would put the shed is mostly shaded, and the chickens wouldn't be locked in the coop during the day. I just don't know if getting a plastic shed is a good idea .

 

[ChickenCanoe]

chickens aren't picky.
I think it would be easy to put roosts, nests and ventilation in one of those sheds.
Remember with housing, lots of ventilation and predator proof are your biggest concerns.
Also metal and plastic are easy to clean and disinfect.

 

[Imp]

I've used a rubbermaid resin shed as a coop for about 8 years. Works well for me. There are pics on my coop page.
Imp

 

[billl2099]

here's a picture of mine i purchased at homedepot, it's a rubbermaid 7x7x71/2,. homedepot price as $499 but if you hav a lowes 10% off coupon it lowers the price to $450, if you do'y have a coupon on hand ou can buy one off of e-bay for around $1,50

 

[Chido]

Thank you for the replies! I'm gonna keep an eye on Home Depot to check when they have shed sales, and buy a plastic one.

 

[redhotchick]

Sounds like you are on the case. Common sense goes real far in owning chickens. Just remember ventilation ventilation ventilation ventilation.

 

[TrantulaChicken]

This is what I got but have not put it together yet. It's to replace the one shown made of wood. The wood one I found to be garbage at keeping rats out as they just chew thru the wood. Another issue I have with my wood coop is the walk in door has become warped after 3yrs and doesn't close properly. So I thought maybe plastic and a run large enough to fit the coop inside would be better. (The small cage beside isn't part of my setup)
What do you think ?