Converting 8x12 shed into a coop?

[Jandsloch]

So sorry to hear about the sudden predator attack! Unfortunately stuff like that can happen out of the blue after weeks, months or even years of safe free ranging. I hope you'll be able to set up some safe run space quickly for them.

As far as the vents putting them in the doors or under the highest part of the roof line are all possibilities. Buffers or louvers may be necessary depending on which way your winds come in.

They have their “run” which is half of my yard but I usually let them out into the rest of the fenced yard. Never have had any problems during the day just coons in the morning which my coonhound usually takes care of and the chickens are usually locked up at that time. Not sure what it was but keeping them close to home is best for now. However they don’t have a proper door either I’ve been having to leave a main door propped a bit so they can get in and out. Making sure nothing can get through their fence. We will be working on this this weekend. Going to start with door for them, putting vinyl flooring down adding proper roosts and poop board along with nest boxes if they ever decide to lay again. It’s been stressful this week for them. I’m going to leave ventilation issues and ideas to the hubs as he knows what he can cut and what he can’t lol I’ll update with some pics later

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thank u. It’s horrible whatever it was didn’t eat any of the 4 killed. I’ve got my main roo injured as well as 3 hens plus my Brahma roo is really injured limping and bleeding. They were all attacked from behind missing saddle feathers....not sure what it was but I need to get this done now for sure so the kiddos can lock them up when they get home. I’m no longer going to freevrange in the fenced yard just keep them in their yard close to home

That sounds more like weasel or mink, possibly dogs. Weasels and mink don't eat the meat, they just kill all the birds.

 

[Jandsloch]

That sounds more like weasel or mink, possibly dogs. Weasels and mink don't eat the meat, they just kill all the birds.

I was thinking same and also including fisher....each chicken that was attacked was on the backs just above saddle feathers. Also pondered someone’s dogs but my dogs can’t get into the chicken yard also can’t get out of my yard. Everything is fenced and gated. I have a coonhound mix and if he can’t get out then no dog can get in lol otherwise I’d lose him to chasing coons. I live 1/4 mile or less from a swamp. So any of the mink fisher or weasel fits. At first I thought coon but they would kill and eat not leave them lay. none of my chickens have left the “run” I made from she door to the gate to their yard. If u look at the pics of front of shed u will see it isn’t that big of an area but they seem scared. I don’t blame them! The injured seem to be doing ok too the worst one is still limping but getting around. I thought to cage him but seriously don’t want to stress him anymore the bleeding has stopped been putting antibiotic ointment on it. I feel bad lifting feathers where it most likely hurts him but it needs protected from infection. So I think as long as he is gettin around eating and drinking and not being picked on then he’s ok to be out n about lol tomorrow comes a door for them and roosts etc.

 

[aart]

Here's a way to ventilate a gambrel roof:

 

[Jandsloch]

Here's a way to ventilate a gambrel roof:
View attachment 1932048

I was thinking to do the bottom one but as for the top one the roof is attached

 

[aart]

I was thinking to do the bottom one but as for the top one the roof is attached

Doubt there's enough overhang on the bottom.....problem with most sheds, gambrels are just much tougher.
Either or both would be 'major surgery'.

 

[Jandsloch]

Doubt there's enough overhang on the bottom.....problem with most sheds, gambrels are just much tougher.
Either or both would be 'major surgery'.

We will be figuring this out this weekend. At least start. They need the air flow for sure! The front and back top will be easy to make bigger there’s no studs. Just a matter of him cutting it. Even with a chainsaw

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A jigsaw, circular saw, reciprocating saw or even a hand saw. Anything but a chainsaw.

 

[aart]

A jigsaw, circular saw, reciprocating saw or even a hand saw. Anything but a chainsaw.

That was my thought too....tho I did I see someone use a small chain saw to cut windows and door in coop sheathing and they did a pretty good job.

 

[Jandsloch]

A jigsaw, circular saw, reciprocating saw or even a hand saw. Anything but a chainsaw.

Lol you guys r cracking me up! He’s pretty good with a chainsaw hahaha and besides I was being sarcastic!