coop design questions - first steps for converting a shed, animal control, sizes, etc.!

[HappyHensFarms]

Thanks so much for all these helpful tips! I will definitely think more about access to sunlight - whether I tear down some corrugated metal, or maybe add an additional outside run in front of this structure? When you let them out during the day, is it in an enclosed area?

And then the burying the fence / cinder block combination seems interesting to me. Would you suggest just going DOWN with the fencing (and something small - like hardware cloth)? Or also aproning out a ways? and then cinder blocks on top of that...?

Thanks, HappyHensFarms!!!

So the cinder blocks were put around the actual coop. Ours is made of wood, so on the outside of the coop we lined cinder blocks after we noticed holes were being dug under the wood from the outside. In relation to yours it would be the equivalent of putting cinder blocks on the outside against your metal walls. On the part of the coop where there was fence, we just dug about 12 inches and buried the fencing. What we have to worry about here in EKy are rats, coons, possums and foxes. Nothing very big so keep in mind the predators in your area, what works for us may not work for you. I agree with rosmarythyme that it is a lot of work burying the fence! But even though chickens do need shade my chickens love to spread out in the sun and sunbathe. I bought some chickens once who had very little access to sunlight and they had very pale legs and beaks, and pale yolks in their eggs. After a few months of access to plenty of sun they were pretty and bright. You should have seen them the day i brought them home! They stretched out in the sun for hours! When I let my chickens out to free range, they are not in an enclosed area but have never left the yard. My rooster does a very good job of keeping up with all of his hens. I truly believe a good rooster can mean the difference in having a safe flock! (I recommend a RIR Roo!) Also they were locked up in the coop for 3-4 months before ever being allowed out so i also think that has a lot to do with why they dont wander far, because my neighbor lets his chickens out from day one and they do wander far off, but he says they always come back. I just worry if i cant see my whole flock.