Good sheds to convert to chicken coop

[LaurEliz]

Hi, all. I was wondering if any of you have any ideas for good sheds to buy to convert to a chicken coop. I have thirteen birds right now, and I'm not looking to having any more than that. They free range all day, so I don't need to be able to make a run. Just something I can make sure is ventilated to put them up in at night, and have a few egg boxes in. I had a metal shed before that I had converted into a coop once but it literally blew away in a storm (thankfully after I'd moved my chickens out), so ideally I'd like something more sturdy than that.

If anyone else has any thoughts or ideas or experience, please let me know. Thank you.

 

[nchls school]

There are many types and styles of shed that would/could be turned into a great coop. If your thinking of buying one already built to remodel or a kit, do not buy a yard barn. I used one for a while; dark, deary, and lots of wasted space. It has no easy place to put windows and the doors on them are the pits when it comes to poultry. There are other styles that would be much easier to turn into a great coop and probably won't cost much more, if at all.

 

[DobieLover]

Hi, all. I was wondering if any of you have any ideas for good sheds to buy to convert to a chicken coop. I have thirteen birds right now, and I'm not looking to having any more than that. They free range all day, so I don't need to be able to make a run. Just something I can make sure is ventilated to put them up in at night, and have a few egg boxes in. I had a metal shed before that I had converted into a coop once but it literally blew away in a storm (thankfully after I'd moved my chickens out), so ideally I'd like something more sturdy than that.

If anyone else has any thoughts or ideas or experience, please let me know. Thank you.

If you have or could rent a large truck, you could go get this:
https://chambana.craigslist.org/zip/d/savoy-free-10x8x-shed/7100617317.html
This shed could house 20 - 23 chickens depending on how predator proof your run is.

The gable roof style lends itself to opening up the soffits a backing them with hardware cloth. You could also pull off the cap shingles, cut a gap on either side of the ridge through the roof decking down to the rafters using a circular saw then install a ridge vent and new cap shingles. Then cut large openings at the gable peaks and back them with hardware cloth and you are well on your way to lots of ventilation.

Used windows are easy to find and retrofit. This guy has a bunch of doors and some windows:
https://terrehaute.craigslist.org/for/d/monrovia-old-doors-antique-door-vintage/7076825971.html
You strip them down without creating dust by using a heat gun/paint scraper or liquid strippers then prime, paint and reglaze. It take a lot of time though. Then install them, hinged top, in the framing openings you make for lots of light. I hang mine on a chain to however far open I want them. I use a barrel bolt to hold them closed in the winter if they are directly across from the roosts.