Converting barn to chicken coop

[Mommarunyon]

I have a 20 by 40 (I believe) 2 story pole barn, with metal sides and roof. Our downstairs consists of 2 stalls with dirt floor and a storage/tack room with steps inside that head to the second story. The second story hasn't been used in 20 years.


If I wanted to convert our 2nd story into a coop, would it be possible? Please give me the good/bad and ugly on this idea. Also we have several other buildings to choose from but I really thought this would be a great place if I could make it work.

Also my goal will be to allow them to free range during the day (in our pasture with horses and cattle) and put them up at night.

*will add pictures later

 

[The Moonshiner]

Speaking from experience, teenage labor grows up and moves out.

Not always in this day and age.
Some just move to the basement.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The only thing is be concerned about on the 2nd story is that they wouldn't have access to the outside and they spill water which could cause the floor problems in the long run

 

[rosemarythyme]

Main issues with having a coop on 2nd floor:
1) You will need to carry up and down: bedding (both clean and soiled), possibly feed/water, eggs (if nest boxes up there).
2) You will need to provide a way for the chickens to get up and down - making a ramp or stairs up that distance can be difficult, depending on how high up you need to get them and the breeds of birds you're dealing with.

 

[aart]

As for water I was thinking a small heated trough with a drain to the outside.

Go with a heated horizontal nipple waterer.
A trough will add humidity to the air.

Are you in northern or southern Ohio?

 

[Mommarunyon]

Speaking from experience, teenage labor grows up and moves out.

Very true! Twin 19 year Olds (I don't see ever leaving home, as they have some mental disabilities and I have adult guardianship, but I could be wrong. A 13 year old who has aspirations to pitch in college. She will definitely be leaving the moment she graduates. For the past 3 years she has planned to leave for college, preferably the university of alabama, crimson tide; however, she says we are going to move there together I know this will change but I still live hearing it

 

[Mommarunyon]

My main concern would be your cows actually. How would they react to free ranging with chickens?

I have 5 cows and 1 horse; all but 1 cow came from my FIL farm where their chickens free range. I would hope the other cow would just ignore them like the others will but I can't be sure

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm thinking teenage labor to carry bedding up,

Speaking from experience, teenage labor grows up and moves out.

 

[Mommarunyon]

The only thing is be concerned about on the 2nd story is that they wouldn't have access to the outside and they spill water which could cause the floor problems in the long run

I was actually thinking of creating an opening on one end of the barn and attaching a wood frame, metal roof extension, covered in electrified metal mess with mutliple perches to act as a ladder or just open the door and allow them to come down the steps in our supply/tack room and head out to the barn yard.

As for water I was thinking a small heated trough with a drain to the outside.

Would this work?

 

[Cecisflock]

My main concern would be your cows actually. How would they react to free ranging with chickens?