Creating a half-shed coop from existing shed

[Sungrove Farmstead]

Hey all

I am looking at converting 1/3ish of an existing shed (old but in good shape) into a coop, so we have more room for a run and it can be a walk-in -- I'm getting ready to start framing up the inside, does anyone have certain suggestions? I know I want to add a sliding window that can be opened (the shed also has gable ventilation that is great) and they will have a walk-in run outside. I'm not set on how it will be put together yet, I'd love to see photos of what other people have done!

Also, the chickens are free range except at night I just shut the coop doors, the run with have a roof and only two open sides, and we aren't in a very cold climate (it only get below 30 a few times in the year, the chickens don't seem to mind the temps in the least) so I'm not worried about insulation - we haven't had any kind of issues with predators so though it needs to be secure I'm not here trying to keep wolves out or anything lol

I plan to do chicken wire inside with a door and mesh outside with another door, debating on putting in a human-sized door from the inside to the outside, that's obviously extra construction and not sure how useful it would really be?

 

[Wezdin]

I have seen other peoples coops like this and they are great, all feed and everything else can be in the rest of the shed. I wish I would have done this when i started!

 

[Farmgal101]

Sounds like fun!!I wish you Good luck!!I'm sure the chickens will love it.hope someone on here can give you advice.

 

[Melky]

I’m in the process now of the same. Awaiting city planning commission approval for updated housing. First step. I had to repeat application and send in new plan with shed dimensions and brochure. Should come back anytime now. Inside put dividing wall between two sides that bottom half is wall and upper is HWC. Use 19 g 1/2 inch. Also put in screen door on dividing wall inside so can enter coop side thru adult size door inside. Put nesting boxes on inside lower wall so can obtain through hinged door eggs from boxes without entering the coop side but you are inside out of weather if that makes. Egg doors get stuck in various weather conditions as well so better inside. So when you go in the storage side in am then you can feed the chickens and collect eggs completely out of the weather and doors should open easily. Not frozen in the winter. Make roosting bars inside as well as outside with poop tray below. Can put this to outside wall on coop side and make tray removable from outside or just go inside and remove it to clean. Just my thoughts going forward. Spacing make sure 4 sq ft per bird in coop and 10 sq ft per bird in run so have plenty of room. Good Luck!

 

[aart]

I'm getting ready to start framing up the inside, does anyone have certain suggestions?

Showing some pics of your shed would be most helpful.

Here's my coop in part of a large shed:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

 

[Sungrove Farmstead]

Showing some pics of your shed would be most helpful.

Here's my coop in part of a large shed:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

Oh man, right now it's still full of stuff lol!

Thank you for sharing, mine is about the size of yours, without the roof -- I love your dutch doors, definitely going to make mine silimar!

 

[DonnyT]

Hey all

I am looking at converting 1/3ish of an existing shed (old but in good shape) into a coop, so we have more room for a run and it can be a walk-in -- I'm getting ready to start framing up the inside, does anyone have certain suggestions? I know I want to add a sliding window that can be opened (the shed also has gable ventilation that is great) and they will have a walk-in run outside. I'm not set on how it will be put together yet, I'd love to see photos of what other people have done!

Also, the chickens are free range except at night I just shut the coop doors, the run with have a roof and only two open sides, and we aren't in a very cold climate (it only get below 30 a few times in the year, the chickens don't seem to mind the temps in the least) so I'm not worried about insulation - we haven't had any kind of issues with predators so though it needs to be secure I'm not here trying to keep wolves out or anything lol

I plan to do chicken wire inside with a door and mesh outside with another door, debating on putting in a human-sized door from the inside to the outside, that's obviously extra construction and not sure how useful it would really be?

 

[DonnyT]

I did something similar. I made a chicken coop inside my existing barn. I raised it up off the floor. Wish I wouldn't have. Cleaning would be so much easier if you could walk in.

 

[HopeSprings]

Showing some pics of your shed would be most helpful.

Here's my coop in part of a large shed:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

For my shed/coop I'm planning on a solid wall between the two parts with a door (the only door into the coop). Any advantage to a mesh wall?

 

[aart]

Any advantage to a mesh wall?

Visibility and ventilation which trumps even the dust on everything in shed.