Converting Metal Shed?

[bwebster]

Good morning all-

We are wanting to expand out flock but need a bigger coop, and money is a bit of an issue. We considered building a bigger one, or buying a shed and converting, but so far the cheapest option may be a pre-fab metal shed. Then I would convert and insulate and vent.


Any thoughts or experiences or concerns with this option?

Thank you thank you.

 

[Wezdin]

Be sure to insulate, metal is loud and water condenses on it.

 

[black_cat]

Pictures of possible shed? I will say that with metal a concern is it over heating and making the coop into an oven. Is the coop in the shade? It also might be difficult with the metal to cut pop doors etc. How are you going to have your nesting boxes? If they are going to be on the floor of the coop, make sure that the coop is a little bigger than you think you need because the nesting boxes take up floor space.

 

[bwebster]

This is the model I saw. I would install nesting boxes on the wall. Condensation is a concern. I would place where my coop/run is now which is shaded probably 75% of the day. This model is 8x6. We want to go from 5 birds to about 10. I would install vents to allow cross ventilation and to allow heat/stink out.

 

[bwebster]

@black_cat I see you are in CT too. How to you feel about open air coops? That could potentially eliminate the toaster over aspect.

 

[black_cat]

@black_cat I see you are in CT too. How to you feel about open air coops? That could potentially eliminate the toaster over aspect.

I think that it gets cold enough in the winters that you would want some kind of panels that you could cover sections of the open air part with, but it would be great for the hot, humid summers.

 

[RW1984]

I converted a shed almost identical to that one into a coop. Works fine. Mines in the shade but still get warm during the day. However with the ventilation it isn’t too bad.
I framed the inside with 2x4s and placed a raised nesting box in the back (left 10 inches under so they still have floor space).
Put roosts all around on the walls and even made a second door so I could keep the main door open for additional ventilation during the day or night.
Used a dremil to cut out the opening for the chickens door and mounted it to the frame I did inside.
Truthfully though, for the price of the shed (I’m guessing here) which is maybe 400$ roughly?
You could get the materials needed to make your own out of wood and siding.
I didn’t realize that until I finished mine.

 

[bwebster]

Truthfully though, for the price of the shed (I’m guessing here) which is maybe 400$ roughly?
You could get the materials needed to make your own out of wood and siding.
I didn’t realize that until I finished mine.

This one is $280. I planned on framing the inside as well to not have things installed on just sheet metal. Roof also because a 40mph wind in CT knocks down a million trees. I tried calculating lumber to build my own and it wasn't too far off the price of this shed.

 

[RW1984]

This one is $280. I planned on framing the inside as well to not have things installed on just sheet metal. Roof also because a 40mph wind in CT knocks down a million trees. I tried calculating lumber to build my own and it wasn't too far off the price of this shed.

With that in mind and from my experience, I’d like to offer you a suggestion.
Don’t buy the metal shed.
Assembly for mine took me a couple days because I did it by myself.
However if you are framing everything to include the roof, you will realize just as I did when you are almost finished that you should have just built it instead of using a metal shed for the exterior.
1. You can frame windows and ventilation easier and can add external nesting boxes to a wood shed easier than a metal shed which will require additional tools .
2. When you finish framing everything you’ll see that all you need is exterior plywood siding to make it complete
3. It’s wood. You can add on so much stuff almost anywhere on the outside or the inside without having to deal with metal being in the way
4. You’ll save yourself time, frustration and the I wish I should have done this over that when you’re completed.
5. Wood will dampen the sounds of the hens flapping around as they roost vs metal where it amplifies it

 

[bwebster]

Do you have any pics of how you framed the inside?