converting barn space into coop

[newchicks]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and need some help. We've always had 4 legged animals, so the chickens are a first. What we have is a Morton type building. The part we used for our horse is like a one car garage with a regular garage door, and no windows. This is where the chickens are, sawdust, running water etc. We keep the door up during daylight, and they are happy. The down side is that it faces the west and all walls are outside walls but one, the east. There is a door leading from this garage area (on the east wall) that leads into another part of the building that faces the south and it has sliding doors, warm in the winter. But it has gravel instead of dirt, is that ok? The thing about this area is that it also doesn't have windows just the big door. The rest of the building is concret floor and it's where the lawn mowers, tools etc. are. Soooo the question is can I convert the gravel are with no windows into their home? What about heat or a heat lamp? and how well will they adjust to the change, coming from the stall like area with the wood shaving floor to this other area. They do walk in there all the time because that's where I keep their food and they like to go out the sliding door to bug hunt. They are free range during the daylight time and I just shut them in at night. Will the adjust with their roost being moved and their nest boxes etc.? any help would be great, thank you

 

[newchicks]

Should I be asking this in a different area??

 

[Chicabee19]

!

Your setup sounds ideal for your chickens. The gravel can serve as a walkin-around area, as well as grit for their diet.

Can you post some pictures? It's hard to imagine everything you described!

 

[LynneP]

We converted part of our barn to a coop and the details are in the link below with so many pics you'll be tired of them soon!

I have only one question at this point- I'd be concerned about digging animals under the earth floor, especially rats. There are lots of ways to cope with this, I offer it only for your consideration while you're making changes. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Chirpy]

Hi and Welcome to BYC! Don't take it personal if you don't get an answer to a post right away. You should always figure giving a post 24 hours so people can see it and have the time to respond. If no one has answered 24 hours later then it's ok to bump it back into existence again. With thousands of posts on here, some just get overlooked.

Can you take out the gravel and put in pine shavings? Can you cut out a window and add it with ventilation? I agree with LynneP that predators can easily dig under the barn walls and get to your chickens. I have dear friends who just learned that the hard way a couple weeks ago. I would suggest attaching hardware cloth (or at least chicken wire) to the wall and burying it into the ground to a 15 to 18" depth around all walls.

Pictures would really help us, help you. Plus, we just love pictures on here.

 

[newchicks]

Thank you thank you!!! I understand the workings of the thread now. And I hadn't thought about preditors getting in, and about the gravel being good for their diet. All of your suggestions are much appreciated and I'll get some pictures together in the next few days and ask my questions again. I thank you all again!!

 

[chicken stalker]

We built our coop inside our barn. The coop is off the ground and there is a small indoor run and then a pop door that leads to the outside. Check it out on my wesite, link is under my name on left.

 

[newchicks]

LynneP...I went on your link and I read your stories to my DH and we lol a lot and being the mother of a Lit. grad, we found your stories not only entertaining, but written with talent and wit. Please keep them coming. The barn pictures will be helpful and I'm sure we'll look at them again and again. I've never had chickens before, it's always been horses, cats and dogs and the assorted hampsters and fish. We're so in love with our two girls that were dump offs at my DH's office. I hadn't been around chickens since I was a girl on my grandparents farm. So another chapter has started in our lives and we're loving it. I'll be reading more of your link, thank you.