Hello all! First post, need some opinions on coop

[kickinthethroat]

Hello all!

I've been interested in raising chickens for awhile, and I was looking into a coop kit or plans when I got the bright idea of converting my leanto into a coop. Pictures are below.

Some details:
I live in IL, in the country on 3 acres. Previous owner had horses, the leanto was a shed for them.
Size is 12' wide x 10' deep x 9'6" heigh at the front

Concerns:
No electricity to shed, do I need?

Is Open front OK? I was thinking i could maybe just screen in the open front or is Insulation needed? IL gets cold, especially this past winter with the "polar vortex".

It just has some rubber mats for a partial floor right now, I assume I would have to put down a raised wood floor of some kind?

Ventilation at the top? I assume I could just cut some holes? Screen them?

For the run, I'm planning on fencing off an area outside the shed but not sure the best design for chickens to access? Just fence off an area outside the screen (on the open side) and leave the door open? Lock up at night?

For the run, do I need to put some fencing on top to protect them from my cat? I'm guessing the cat could just climb any fence I use?

Which brings me to my next concern, predators. You'll Notice the woods behind the shed. Foxes opossum raccoons are all present.

So once flooring, ventilation, screens and fencing are in place the only things left are the roost and nest boxes right?

Is converting the lean to the way to go, or getting a coop kit?

Sorry for all the questions, I've just been reading which just creates more questions. Thanks for reading this and thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[jetdog]

Electric is not needed but will make your life easier in the winter as they need water all day, I would definitely put a floor in,I also would block the front off with a wall and have a human door for feeding and cleaning, there is no need to insulate the more ventilation the better, a simple pop door will be fine

for the chickens to enter the run and wire or netting
on top your cat won't be a problem when they are full
grown but any hawk will find them and have a daily
buffet, as far as predators use the strongest wire you can find build a apron of wire around the coop and run and remember most predators can rip through chicken wire fairly easy. Everything likes a chicken dinner.

 

[kickinthethroat]

Thanks for the info!

Yes, we have a lot of Hawks so sounds like fencing on top will be needed.

First step will be running electrical to the shed. Thanks!