Help me change this into a coop

[epeloquin]

One issue on painting it. I used to be an automotive painter and you need special (expensive) primer in order to paint that, it is galvanized aluminum.

I would add a wall with a door in the front. IN the back, about 1/3 up from the floor I would build a 'shelf' that spans the width and you could place your nesting boxes there. Run some 1 1/2-2" thick tree branches of rounded over 2x3s or 2x4s as roosts.

 

[LIsaajb]

Interesting idea to plant a tree near by. I planted an apple tree this fall and he needs a friend. Outside of the run so that the chickens don't get all of my apples obviously. We just moved into this house in September, so I've barely had any landscaping done.

 

[3forfree]

I like it. If it were mine I would make it a dual purpose project. You said you would have a small flock so you won't need the whole structure for a coop. Use part of it for a coop, and the rest for a shed. You can frame up the opening in the front with a door and have a small coop as you walk in, maybe a double door if you park lawn eqipment or something of that sort. A covered run could be constructed outside of this framing. The chickens don't need much room, but the rest of that area would be mine.

quanset hut..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quonset_hut

 

[judyki2004]

If it is a bomb shelter and intended to be in the ground, then maybe you could pile soil on it to make a hill over it, and plant grass and wild flowers on it. That would keep it cooler, and take care of the open bottom edges. You could cover the dirt with chicken wire to help hold it in place. You could still have a cupola sticking out at the top of it. You'd have to water it a lot in the summer. But I think, that would look fantastic. It's not to close to other buildings is it?

I like this idea ,,,a lot! it will solve the outside aesthetic issue and help to keep it cool in summer & warm in winter... but maybe you need to do a lot of research on how to do it or find an expert..

 

[scooter147]

Can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[Eznet2u]

Not to argue the point...But the difference between a Bomb shelter and a Quonset Hut are very evident.
Quonset huts do not have the Facade on them that yours does...Most of the older style Bomb shelters
did. Let me show you.
Quonset Hut...


See how the front is almost flush with the front? Smaller ribs used in the construction. (No heavy load on roof.)
Wide foot print to Height ratio.

Bomb Shelter...

(Best illustration I could find.

Bomb Shelters usually had a metal retaining lip around the front, to keep Dirt, Sand Bags, Concrete from falling into the
opening. The Foot print to Height ratio was a lot steeper to lend support to the top and sides. Ribs had to be substantial to
support the weight of the material used to protect the top.
The ribbing on yours is quite large. This would be a waste of material for an above-ground Quonset hut. It was meant to
hold a very large amount of weight.



I would be proud to say that I loved my Chickens enough to give them a Bomb proof Coop.

Now, with all that said, I would attach Hardware Cloth and a door to the front. and a 1X1 Vent to the back. (Up high)
Add some roosts and a few Nest Boxes and call it good. Over time, I would line the outside with Straw bales for insulation.
Just stacking them like bricks against the sides and over the top. Maybe make a half wall in the middle of the coop
for a wind break and a little privacy.

Also, if that was a Bear trap...I don't even want to see the bear that thing was built for...

 

[erinchelsea]

That looks like it will make a nice coop. I like the hay bale idea, I wouldn't worry about it being too cold in the winter or too big for 4 hens. I'd be more worried about it getting too hot in the summer. Planting a tree over it is a nice idea and definitely make some way they can get outside in the heat. I'd love to see pics when you are done!