Ideas for fixing up coop

[TheGoldenGirlz]

I just add vents to the top, correct?

I’d cut long rectangles at the top of the walls and build a wooden frame to attach HW cloth for security

 

[Ocdbrownie]

I’d cut long rectangles at the top of the walls and build a wooden frame to attach HW cloth for security

What is HW cloth? And what does it do?

 

[Ocdbrownie]

Yes it is! you can also use it for injured birds and mothers with chicks!

That is awesome. Thank you! I could move the nesting shelf a little to the side and use the space between the bottom shelf and the wall to put the brooder box. But that would cause a mess with the roosts with down the side walls. . . . Or, I could lay wood down on the bottom shelf for a floor and attach wire around the sides to just make the bottom shelf as one. It's certainly big enough. I should be able to find someone to cut down some boards for me.

 

[Hopperkiller]

There is a lot that can be done with hand tools such as a saw and a drill, scrap lumber from construction site and a few screws. Make wall studs and attach through drilled holes in metal then add cross pieces and joists.

The main problem has been pointed out. Even with 6 foot open door there is inadequite ventilation for most areas. That building is useful but will make a large solar oven with dead air space. Go sit in it during the hot part of the day and you will see. Touch the metal and feel the radiant heat. A breeze needs to flow through the building. A old sliding window can be found by looking around online or salvage building businesses. The drill and tin snips can make a hole and scrap wood to frame it in.

You would be surprised at how little actual skill is needed and how much learned skill can be obtained just using this shed as the base of the project. Numerous unskilled owners have made some pretty good homes for their chickens without this base structure as seen on this site. Some are amazing and they proudly show the results. A good friend with basic skills could help you engineer a palace from this shed.

 

[JesusHChicken]

Looks pretty good. Nothing to be ashamed of. Chickens don't require anything fancy.

If you're leaving the doors open 24/7 you've got plenty of ventilation. Any concerns about predators? At night chickens are practically blind.

Looks like the Tpost on shelf are roosts? Maybe think about 2x4 or 2x3 instead, wider side up. The ramp could use a little more grip so they can grip while walking up and down. I have some that will walk or fly up to roosting rails so it depends on size of fowl.

Milk crates work fairly well for nesting boxes. Might want something they can go inside like a small or medium pet carrier. Put some fake eggs inside and they'll get the picture. I have some that use my fancy nesting boxes, others go in my goat feeders, one in the woods next to a tree stump.

 

[snow5164]

Looks full of potential, I feel for you not wanting to post your coop mine hasn’t been on here ever!

I think ventilation is number one , a couple of register covers would work like in your house ... you can cut a hole and screw on metal wire over it .

But my biggest concern is a metal roosting bar, chickens feet are quiet sensitive and I’d be scared they’re hurting their feet , get the lumber yard to cut it for you and just screw pieces of wood to the walls lay the 2x4 down and screw or glue it down . Good luck

 

[TheGoldenGirlz]

What is HW cloth? And what does it do?

It is hardware cloth, a predator proof "screen" to keep predators out. Most home improvement stores carry it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I agree with ventilation, mostly because this is metal and metal heats up and holds condensation more than wood does, so it's important to give that moisture and heat somewhere to go. Aim to put vents towards the top, as hot air rises. They don't have to be fancy at all... cut holes and cover them with hardware cloth or welded wire. While your large door provides some air and light there's no cross flow of air, which is important when it's hot out.

Your roost bar can be as simple as a 2x3 or 2x4 attached on top of the existing metal bar you have there, though ideally the roost should be higher than nest boxes by at least 12", to encourage the birds to choose it. Metal is not appropriate for roosting as it gets too hot in summer, and too cold in winter.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Where are you located? Thinking the metal building would get pretty HOT during the Summer. There are those metal shelves sold at Home Depot, you could use them to place nest boxes & extend 2x4 between others for perches. Just a thought...

 

[Ocdbrownie]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas! The t posts were only supposed to be temporary until I got something else in. But they don't get on them so I have Been meaning to take them down. One of my coworker's husband was asking me what I needed so I may be able to get some help with at least my boards being cut. I had also planned on cutting the ramp up in sections and making multiple ones out of it. Honestly, I believe I need a new board. The one I have could possibly be used as a floor for the breeder box I plan to make on the bottom shelf and use the next two shelves up as nesting areas. Maybe just one shelf. I can fit several milk crates on one. I was also thinking maybe take some 5 gal buckets and making nests with them. I think they would work too. I'll have to look into finding some vents to put in near the top for them, because yes it does get hot out there and I'm in the deep south. I've been going out and spraying down the top of the shed and parts of the yard with the hose during parts of the day. I had thought maybe put wood up around the lower walls for insulation to help in the winter.
I'm doing what I can with. Technically they belong to my mom but she has admitted to me the only thing she knows is to feed them and gather eggs. So I been trying to research and look for ideas and help to set them up something suitable for them. I'll see about drawing up a simple plan and posting to see how it will work. I really appreciate the ideas and thoughts of advice!