Coop options

[slicvickie]

We are wanting to take the plunge into chicken raising and are still in the planning and research phase.
We have a small out-building on our property that we are hoping to use for our flock.
It is about 8x10 and sitting about 5 feet off the ground and was used as a kids tree house by the previous owners.

It has vinyl siding and windows on 2 sides, sheet rocked and insulated inside.
But probably needing to be gutted as it was invaded by squirrels over the winter.

We are debating the best use of this structure for chickens.
There are 3 options at this point, as we see it.

1. Use it, as is for feed storage and build the actual coop underneath.
2. (Somehow!) lower the structure to the ground and modify it to accommodate the birds.
3. Leave it there, make it a coop and use long ramps for chicken access.

I'm hoping some of you with more experience may have some insight as to our best path. TIA

 

[mowin]

Sheetrock and insulation would need to be removed anyway. Chickens would make a mess out of it.
I'd lower it. Fairly easy job. Cribbing and some jack's and a couple hrs and it's on the ground.
The area looks sloped? So possible to lower the coop and leave, but shorten the downhill peers so coop stays level.

You could add stairs to enter the coop. And add the run around the coop. The raised coop would add some covered protection from the elements.

Personally, I'd lower it.

 

[aart]

Definitely gut it.
But I'd leave the height it is, plan to close in most of bottom for weather protected outdoor winter space.
Lot of options and things to think about
Feed can be stored in part of coop.
Walking into coop in your winters will be much appreciated.

What are your goals for keeping chickens?
3 good links in my signature for beginners to read before building,
let me know if you can't see them.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Alaskan]

We are wanting to take the plunge into chicken raising and are still in the planning and research phase.
We have a small out-building on our property that we are hoping to use for our flock.
It is about 8x10 and sitting about 5 feet off the ground and was used as a kids tree house by the previous owners.

It has vinyl siding and windows on 2 sides, sheet rocked and insulated inside.
But probably needing to be gutted as it was invaded by squirrels over the winter.

We are debating the best use of this structure for chickens.
There are 3 options at this point, as we see it.

1. Use it, as is for feed storage and build the actual coop underneath.
2. (Somehow!) lower the structure to the ground and modify it to accommodate the birds.
3. Leave it there, make it a coop and use long ramps for chicken access.

I'm hoping some of you with more experience may have some insight as to our best path. TIA

If it is really 5 feet up in the air...then you get 4 feet of snow? In which case... leave it UP! Or the chickens will get hidden.

I would extend the roof on both sides of the coop,so you have cute covered stairs up to the coop on one side... and a covered run on the other.

I wouldn't bother with a huge long ramp... I would make a series of "steps" or hopping spots from the coop pop door to the ground. Each "step" about 18 up or down from the last. 18 inches is an east jump height for most chickens.

 

[slicvickie]

Yes, it really is that high! And yes, we really did have that much snow this year! I normally have to duck to get under it, but can almost stand up between the joists. On the left side in that picture, behind the trees, is the remains of the attached 10x10 deck that was taken out by a tornado. I think the most current plan is to rebuild the deck, use the gutted Bunkie for the coop, partialy enclose the under area for storage. and use the area under the deck for a shaded portion of the run. That may change again as we progress. I like the jump steps idea! That would otherwise be a really long ramp! Any other ideas are certainly welcome!