How high to make divider?

[BentoMinion]

A miracle happened! I have not been able to get my hands on any pallets for months. Kinda strange since all through last winter and well, all year, they were easy to come by. Anyway, my SO agreed to let me split our poor shed into half chicken coop and half storage for the kids' toys and go kart.

So the question remains, how tall do I need to make the divider for the 2 areas? The ceiling is up quite high and the shed is old, but still sturdy. I know there is no way I can build it up to the ceiling.

 

[cknkids]

As high as you possible can. If you don't want to build a solid wall, consider a frame with chicken wire or hardware cloth. Chickens like to roots at the highest available spot, the top of your divider could be it, and remember poop accumulate under where they roost. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Also when they fly up there to perch you don’t know which side they will fly down on when they decide to come down.

I’d suggest you rethink why you can’t take it up all the way. Or maybe consider a lower ceiling on the coop portion. I think you really should contain them.

 

[BentoMinion]

That is what I feared. Hmm. I will figure out a way to lower it in the coop area. It has a lower section that was a wide storage shelf already about 5 feet up. I had thought of a roost, but I can change that option. Would be easier than figuring out the ceiling. It is me with very little experience building and my friend who likes to think she knows it all about building because she spent a summer helping with a habitat for humanity home.... only I have seen projects she has "helped" others with when she was left to make decisions. Not pretty and had to be redone. She is the only help I have though. That and her eye rolling already makes me scared.

Thanks! I guess I had hopes for lower since I have seen pens with lower sides.

 

[BentoMinion]

I can't take it all the way up because I do not have that tall of a ladder and no family member has one.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Would it be possible to build some type of scaffolding? Maybe take two step-ladders and put a board across the rungs to give you something to stand on?

Do be careful. I don't want to talk you into doing something that will get you hurt but using two step-ladders like that is fairly common.

 

[BentoMinion]

It is possible, but I am also 14 weeks pregnant. I have pregnancy related vertigo, so that is not an option for me.... As for my friend, no way. I love her and appreciate her help, but I am on a budget that I am already stretching quite a bit and well, I know it would cost me much more if I had her do that. I know that makes me seem like an ungrateful friend, but you would just have to know her.

My SO can't help because he has a physical disability that effects his legs and one hand.