Helpful hint for metal shed coop

[proudmommie31]

I thought if there's anyone who, like us, were given a metal shed and turned it into a coop, the following might be helpful to know. I went and got the Rustoleum (i think it's called) spray paint in white, uv resistant, outdoor paint. I covered the entire top of the shed, it was brown originally, making the entire thing white as the walls already were painted white. I went out today and laid my hand on the metal to see if it made any difference and it was a huge change from yesterday despite the temperature being hotter today. We had removed a 5 foot wide, 5 foot tall section from the back and used hardware cloth in its place, and removed a 2 foot wide 5 foot tall section on each of the side walls and did the same. It's no hotter in there then it is in the shade of the trees and there's a nice breeze in the coop. We have a heat index of 105ish today but its no where near that inside.

 

[snow5164]

That’s great ! Ventilation is the answer, we housed chicks in a grain bin , it got hot but we kept the door open and attached a large run ,

Have fun

 

[proudmommie31]

I have the front sliding doors open a inch, just enough to boost the air flow but not enough to fit through. We will construct a large run over the next week, but since they are only 4.5 weeks old and can fit through the daytime run wire (the 2x4 welded wire stuff) I figured another week staying inside to learn the coop is home wouldn't hurt. It's a big 8x10 so lots of run for little guys to run around

 

[aart]

Pics Please?
Is metal shed in the shade all day?

 

[proudmommie31]

I have some pictures of stage one, we are bringing in mulch and constructing the run next weekend. And yes, which I was worried about but I went out and sat in it yesterday multiple times and it really wasn’t any different than sitting under the big tree in the backyard. I did lay my hand on the trim that’s still Brown and it was hot enough to hurt so I’m positive painting the top made the difference. (I don’t have pics of it painted though). There’s a nice cross breeze through the coop too.

 

[proudmommie31]

Sorry I read that wrong, coop is on the sun all day, the run will go around trees which provides big shaded areas.

 

[aart]

I’m positive painting the top made the difference. There’s a nice cross breeze through the coop too.

Might have helped, but I think the big openings in the walls make a bigger difference. I have one of those metal sheds, with a silver roof, even with the doors wide open it's like an oven in there.

 

[proudmommie31]

We were very surprised that it wasn’t a heat box but you’re right, big open “windows” made a huge difference too. During the day, after the run is finished, I’ll just leave the doors open and they can come and go as they please. The run area has a good balance of big shady spots and sun spots.

 

[aart]

How have you winterized this shed coop?