Converting this old barn into The Banty Shanty *UPDATES pg 4&5*

[FrontPorchIndiana]

Cool! So did you insulate anything or is the plastic doing the trick?

 

[Wifezilla]

You HAVE to save room for one of these!!!!

http://www.minicattlepros.com/dexter.html

 

[Griffox]

Quote:
No. The plastic is doing a good job of keeping the wind out, but it still gets cold. As you can probably tell from the picture, the boxing on the barn has shrunk so much over time, that ventilation is certainly not a concern.

Eventually, I would like to replace all the outside boards, but the plastic was a great (and cheap) quick fix.

I'll have to get some pictures of the large room I'm working on now. I would like to eventually divide it into breeding pens, though right now I'm just trying to get it enclosed enough so I can get the 50 chicks I have out of the storage shed. (finally moved them out of the house. Whew!)

I guess the thing about converting the barn is that you have to work around what's there. While it may not look as attractive as a nice new coop, you have a lot more space to work with and a structure that's already up and ready for a few modifications. Much easier than starting from scratch.

looking forward to seeing what you decide to do. All the possibilities!!

 

[Griffox]

Quote:
OOoh!!! I need! I want! I must have!

 

[EweSheep]

Wow plenty of room and ideas! Wished I had that much room back in the farm days!

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

Quote:
OOoh!!! I need! I want! I must have!

Uh oh, you guys keep it up and my hubby's going to take my login password away.

Miniature cows?

 

[soonerdog]

Hehehehe.........If I had a Banty Shanty that nice I would just finish in a room for myself too.

 

[Sahara]

I love your current coop and your plans for the future. I would give anything to have an outer building like that. The chickens I could raise!

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

Well, we had a nice day so we started cleaning. We managed to get both sides cleaned out.

Here is what I'm now deeming the East Wing. It needs a little work on the bottom edge of the old barn siding. There must have been some water damage at some point. Notice the cement ledge crossing the floor. This old barn has be reincarnated more than once!

Before:

After:

When we were cleaning and hauling we found some insulation and started putting some of it up in the West Wing. The plan is to lower the ceilings to that point.

Then it turned cold again and we decided we are pansies.

At least we have a better idea what we're getting ourselves into. We found plenty of windows and doors to work with. Looks like we should have enough lumber to work with too. Main expense will be getting electricity out there, insulation, wire fencing and fixing the roof.

 

[CHICKEN little 1]

Here's an idea. Lay some plywood across the ceiling beams that way you will still be lowering the ceiling but still have some storage for straw, etc... Of corse leave opening for access. Just an idea.