Convert old shed, or build from scratch?

MMM. I think that it would depend on both your time as well as finances you want to put in the project. If the old shed is worthy of rehab, as a recycler, I would say go that route, But if it is structurally unsound or even dangerous to work on, I'd probably back away from it! Hope this is helpful! and good luck!

 

I converted an old shed of mine into a coop. I didn't try and rehab the shed (it was a disaster) but the wood was all good so I completely tore down the shed and used the parts to create the coop. The only things I purchased were the PT lumber 4x4s (for the coop to be raised and I needed to build retaining walls because it is on a hill), the chicken wire and some screws. The rest is from the shed (plywood, 2x4s, roofing material, etc).

Here is a before pic of the "shed":



And here is the "Poultry Palace" after:




If you can salvage lumber/plywood/nails/screws/anything from that shed do it! It saved me so much money! Plus the satisfaction that came with dismantling the eyesore that was in my back yard was priceless.

 

A lot of it depends on how far gone the old shed is.In my case,every time I build a new shed,it ends up becoming the new chicken coop anyway.Oh well,one of these days. lol

 

My first coop started out as a tree house for my wife when she was a small child. It got lowered to the ground and used as a play house by the rest of her family. After no one was playing in it anymore I decided to convert it to a coop. It was build by her grandfather back in the day. I don't think a Sherman Tank could bring it apart. WE started looking at other building he had built and are getting ready to refurbish them as well.