Converting a not-a-greenhouse to a chicken coop

[Alaskan]

yeah! so exciting!

 

[hosspak]

We are now predator proof

Holes in corrugated plastic patched with leftover plastic and silicone caulk (it'll dry clear).



Big knot hole covered. Roof on the nest boxes, finally! (I said we were predator proof, not weather proof

)

Next step is to clear the junk out of the coop and figure out where/how I'm going to do the roosts. The branches in the last photo are the ones from pruning the cherry tree that are at least as thick as my wrists, with some side branches still attached that need removing. I've more than enough to make roosts for my legal maximum.

Amy, I was just wondering if you have a T-square? Ok, I was just kidding...Please laugh with me. Can't wait to see the finished coop, anticipation....you know what they say. What color scheme are you thinking?

 

[AmyPaperlady]

I do actually have a t-square (or at least an L-shaped carpenter's square) but that only helps if the building's square to begin with

(Drove me nuts with the door--I'd gotten it all nice and square, but the doorframe wasn't square!) I figure the chickens won't care, and the big patch is on the side next to the other shed, anyway, so not readily visible.

Since the coop is less than 2 feet from the house (I could just barely squeeze between to put the hardware cloth up on that side) I'm keeping the same outside color scheme--gray with white trim, to match the house. We've still got the gray that was used when my husband patched some siding on the house, and of course, since I re-used the wood, most of the outside is already gray

When we get around to painting the house, then the coop will be painted to match. I haven't decided if the inside is going to be painted or not, but, if it is, it'll be white. The inside would definitely need to be painted before we get any birds, but I'll do the outside after, probably.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Just had an idea. We've still got the glass door. If it will fit through the doorway, I can use it as a windbreak between the door and the roosts and still be able to count heads or whatever from outside. I even know how I can set it up, though explaining without pics would be pretty hard. Maybe I'll take some this afternoon, or maybe I'll wait until that bit's done, if the door fits through the door.

 

[Alaskan]

Also think about a poop tray, and or a multi level coop like hokum has.....i just love the extra space.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

I'm going to be doing deep litter, so I need all the poop on the floor I can get, especially since the space is going to be underpopulated.

 

[Baymule]

I just finished reading this thread. What a great coop! I love the progress you have made. I built my coop from scratch and I wanted hens NOW, not chicks!

We bought 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes laying hens and got instant eggs! Then the following spring, I got 6 chicks from the feed store and we were off and running. How wonderful that you had a building already there and you only had to do a re-coop-model!

I built a cow panel hoop run onto my coop and I love it. I live in the middle of my small town, but have hawks, raccoons, opossums, the occasional snake and my own dogs. I was given a Great Pyrenees because she killed chickens, so the coop had to be really predator proof. It took 2 years, but now my GP is a chicken protector and the hens are 100% safe with her. I was inspired to build the hoop run by threads I found here on BYC, here is my favorite.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance

edited to add:

I use deep litter method too. I worked 10-12 hours a day and didn't have time to clean the coop on a regular basis. I use grass clippings, leaves, pea hulls, corn shucks, garden and kitchen trimmings and sawdust, anything and everything organic. What they don't eat, they poop all over it and scratch it to bits. I clean the coop and run 2-3 times a year and get nice crumbly, rich compost. Easier than making it myself! It rarely has an odor, if it does, I just put in some more litter. Since my coop and run is dirt floored, when we have lots of rain, it can get a little smelly. I just pile in more litter, or if I don't have anything handy, I'll buy pine shavings for horse stalls and put in there.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Sometimes I think it would've gone faster if I'd started from scratch

But then again, I wouldn't've spent less than $20 in wood...

I definitely need to get hens or older pullets--my husband wants an omelet for Christmas breakfast from our own birds!

 

[Daisy8s]

Well done! You're obviously very handy and I love that you're using salvaged materials.

Three years ago I built my own coop (without my husband's help) from mostly scavenged materials. Then, last year I built a greenhouse. So, please allow me to give some advice.

First, on using branches as roosts. I did the same and found two problems: a) over a year's time the bark wore smooth and the chickens, literally, would fall off the roosts at the slightest jostle. b) although the roosts looked straight to me there was a dip in one spot that nobody wanted to roost on hence a lot of pecking. After a year I took them out and replaced them with lumber. No more problems.

Second, I'm afraid the building is going to be very hot in summer. The interior of our greenhouse easily is over 40 degrees warmer than outside on a sunny day and that's with a huge ventilation space (2x2.5 feet) at the top. So, even if it's 60 degrees outside it could easily be over 100 inside. Maybe with all your ventilation you'll be okay but please watch them carefully next summer. You may have to put up a tarp to block the sun during the warmest/sunniest part of summer. I never let my chickens in my greenhouse except in the dead of winter and it's unfortunately situated so that it only gets full sun for the afternoon, but still, they'd cook if in there from April thru Dec.

Chickens overheat very easily (they're wearing down coats, after all!) Please watch closely for panting, holding their wings away from their bodies, and lethargy.

Third, I'd build more nesting boxes. When they gotta lay they gotta lay! Asking 3-4 birds to share a box is likely asking for some pecking and abuse. You've got plenty of room, might as well use it. I had blood-splattered nesting boxes and hunks missing from combs till I built more boxes.

Fourth, not all broody hens will accept chicks. Might be better to order fertilized eggs. Be aware that a broody won't lay while she's sitting and for several weeks afterwards while she raises the chicks. Weaning the chicks (anywhere from 3-6 weeks of age) coincides with her resuming laying.

Fifth, so glad to hear you're doing deep litter! I love it. Tip: throw some fruit/veggie scraps or scratch right onto the worst of the manure accumulation (under the roosts) and they'll turn under the manure wile scratching for the food. Love having them do the work for me. Also, if you use yard clippings (I spread grass or leaves on a tarp to dry, then bag it for storage during winter) you'll never have to pay for bedding. Can't beat totally free bedding and then compost!

Since you're working on a concrete slab don't be surprised if you need to work up to a foot deep before you get a good composting action happening. And, when you clean it out don't forget to leave some behind to keep the good, active "bugs" available.

Looks like you're off to a great start! Just please, please, please watch for overheating. Until I had a greenhouse I had no idea who quickly or intensely they can heat up. (I know your space isn't exactly a greenhouse, but still all that clear plexi in the pictures is making me nervous.)

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Well done! You're obviously very handy and I love that you're using salvaged materials.

Thanks! Actually, this is my first DIY project, that wasn't just putting up a shelf or something out of a box. Would've gone a bit faster if I'd had an actual plan instead of winging it at each new stage. And if I weren't scared of the circular saw, especially once I'd dulled my hand saw by finding a hidden screw...

Three years ago I built my own coop (without my husband's help) from mostly scavenged materials. Then, last year I built a greenhouse. So, please allow me to give some advice.

First, on using branches as roosts. I did the same and found two problems: a) over a year's time the bark wore smooth and the chickens, literally, would fall off the roosts at the slightest jostle. b) although the roosts looked straight to me there was a dip in one spot that nobody wanted to roost on hence a lot of pecking. After a year I took them out and replaced them with lumber. No more problems.

Hm. I'll see how mine do, and switch out later, if necessary.

Second, I'm afraid the building is going to be very hot in summer. The interior of our greenhouse easily is over 40 degrees warmer than outside on a sunny day and that's with a huge ventilation space (2x2.5 feet) at the top. So, even if it's 60 degrees outside it could easily be over 100 inside. Maybe with all your ventilation you'll be okay but please watch them carefully next summer. You may have to put up a tarp to block the sun during the warmest/sunniest part of summer. I never let my chickens in my greenhouse except in the dead of winter and it's unfortunately situated so that it only gets full sun for the afternoon, but still, they'd cook if in there from April thru Dec.

Chickens overheat very easily (they're wearing down coats, after all!) Please watch closely for panting, holding their wings away from their bodies, and lethargy.

I'll definitely keep an eye on the temperature. I was planning on getting an outdoor thermometer to hang in the coop anyway. The biggest window is in constant complete shade now, since the building of the other shed, but of course the roof is translucent, too.

Third, I'd build more nesting boxes. When they gotta lay they gotta lay! Asking 3-4 birds to share a box is likely asking for some pecking and abuse. You've got plenty of room, might as well use it. I had blood-splattered nesting boxes and hunks missing from combs till I built more boxes.

I was going by what I'd read several times on here, but I can easily put in more nests if I need to--we've got a few plastic milk crates. So I'll keep an eye on that, too.

Fourth, not all broody hens will accept chicks. Might be better to order fertilized eggs. Be aware that a broody won't lay while she's sitting and for several weeks afterwards while she raises the chicks. Weaning the chicks (anywhere from 3-6 weeks of age) coincides with her resuming laying.

Yeah, been waffling on this. And, of course, it's always possible that, even with breeds that tend to go broody, I may not get anyone going broody.

Fifth, so glad to hear you're doing deep litter! I love it. Tip: throw some fruit/veggie scraps or scratch right onto the worst of the manure accumulation (under the roosts) and they'll turn under the manure wile scratching for the food. Love having them do the work for me. Also, if you use yard clippings (I spread grass or leaves on a tarp to dry, then bag it for storage during winter) you'll never have to pay for bedding. Can't beat totally free bedding and then compost!

I wish we had a chipper/shredder--we've got a trailer full of branches that're too skinny for roosts or campfire wood that would make a great start for DL...

Since you're working on a concrete slab don't be surprised if you need to work up to a foot deep before you get a good composting action happening. And, when you clean it out don't forget to leave some behind to keep the good, active "bugs" available.

I figure it'll take a while, regardless, since we can't have as many birds as the space would allow.

Looks like you're off to a great start! Just please, please, please watch for overheating. Until I had a greenhouse I had no idea who quickly or intensely they can heat up. (I know your space isn't exactly a greenhouse, but still all that clear plexi in the pictures is making me nervous.)

I'll certainly keep an eye on that, though it was just as chilly inside the coop as it was outside today. Even once the sun finally came out--at least I found out the roof has a couple of leaks before we moved anyone in! (Looks like it's just a matter of caulking the seams.)