Converting shed into coop, should we do it?

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Not only could the gas engine fumes be a problem for chicken lungs....
...anything else in the shed will be covered with 'chicken dust'.

My coop shares a shed, no engines, the dust is crazy!
 
aart said:
Not only could the gas engine fumes be a problem for chicken lungs....
...anything else in the shed will be covered with 'chicken dust'.

My coop shares a shed, no engines, the dust is crazy!
Click to expand...
Thank you for your input! I thought about chicken dust everywhere too, but it was the fumes that concerns me the most.
 
The only way I would use the shed your talking about, is to build a solid and have two separate areas. keep the fumes from the chickens and the dust from you shed.
 
If you convert the shed, do the whole thing. You can't keep the chickens where the gas fumes are going to vent. It will kill them, no question. Or go buy another shed and convert it, or have him build you a coop outright. This way, with our winters in CT you know exactly how drafty it will be, how secure it is... How weather proof it is...
 
JustRambling said:
Hello fellow BYC'ers!
So here's my situation. (Sorry for the length of the post!) My husband wants to convert part of our shed into a chicken coop, rather then just build a coop. Once he gets an idea in his head, it is VERY hard to convince him otherwise. :barnie I have concerns about converting part of the shed. I just need to know if the concerns are legitimate, or if it's me grabbing for straws. :lol:
  • So, first of all, my first concern is that since the shed was built by previous owners of our home (16yrs. since we bought the house) I am not sure how well it is constructed, meaning, how drafty it might be.
  • Also, I feel like it will be difficult to clean out. We are busy people, ease of use is big in my eyes.
  • Ventilation, Ventilation, Ventilation!! :fl
  • We would have to cut holes into the sides/back of the shed, then if we decide to build a coop, we will have to patch that all up.
  • We still store all our garden equipment in there, where will we put those things that are currently in that area of the shed?
  • My biggest concern is that we store our gasoline-fueled lawnmower, snowblower, weedeater/trimmer in there. How will the fumes from the gasoline affect the chickens respiratory system? I don't think he would completely partition off that side, and even if he did, would it keep the fumes from reaching the chickens altogether?
  • I feel that all the work that would be put into converting the shed so that it is safe, and comfortable for the chickens in all seasons (here in New England), would be almost as much work as it would be to just build a coop that would be easy to maintain and keep clean.
So now, you be the judge. I really would rather build a nice coop that would be easy to clean, maintain. I am not looking for anything fancy schmancy. I'm actually looking to build The Palace Coop that is posted here on BYC. Yes, a little more work, but I think it's worth it. I don't mind using the shed temporarily, if it's safe for them. But I'm just as stubborn as my husband, :he :lau, I want my girls to eventually have a coop all their own! :love
Click to expand...
We converted a 12x20 greenhouse the neighbors gave us. All 2x4 treated lumber. Hubby and me and a friend took it down and rebuilt it on our property. Took time and money but not as much as starting from scratch!
 
Farmer Connie said:
We converted a 12x20 greenhouse the neighbors gave us. All 2x4 treated lumber. Hubby and me and a friend took it down and rebuilt it on our property. Took time and money but not as much as starting from scratch!
Click to expand...
We actually have a few friends that we can have keep an eye out for used, leftover, etc building materials, so I'm hoping we can cut down on cost that way.
 
Garden chemicals, gasoline, motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, rodent scat. Even keeping chickens in a place where that stuff was previously stored could be risky. To keep them under the same roof and in close proximity to them is just asking to lose your living breathing investment.

My HE is pretty stingy too, and thought he could do a shed conversion. I carefully explained how delicate avian respiratory systems are (doesn't everyone know about the canary in the coal mine?), how dusty their feathers are, and how corrosive their droppings can be (as many car owners can attest). Then I helped him examine the cost of a shed conversion versus new construction. For nearly the same money, new construction offered easier maintenance, healthier birds, and a happier ME! Decision made. :ya

Good luck. And stick to your guns!
 

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