Ideas on how to make this thing a functioning coop

[ehoneybee]

DH came home with this (for free, thank goodness!) but it's in bad shape. The walls are ok but we'll have to build a new floor and Ineed to add roosting bars and nesting boxes. It is conveniently right next to the fire pit

 

[David61]

A match?? LOL replace any deadwood add batton strips on wooden seams. Turn new shingles around backwards and slide under old to make new drop edge. Clean out floor add dirt if needed , screw a wire skirt to the outside. Add chickens,water, feed, collect eggs.

 

[ehoneybee]

So you think I should have a dirt floor? I was thinking a wood floor would make it easier to clean and also predator proof. Thanks for the suggestions! I also need to take the plastic stuff on the windows off and add hardware cloth. Maybe I could just staple that over the seams, too... I was thinking of adding the nesting boxes to the outside but it's big enough inside I probably won't bother.

A match?? LOL replace any deadwood add batton strips on wooden seams. Turn new shingles around backwards and slide under old to make new drop edge. Clean out floor add dirt if needed , screw a wire skirt to the outside. Add chickens,water, feed, collect eggs.

 

[Alaskan]

I like dirt floor coops, and as long as you have a dig proof edge, they are predator proof.

But.... eh.... personal preference.

I think it looks like a great coop "bones"/ starting point.

I love the large screened area, most coops don't have enough ventilation, but that one looks great.

 

[ehoneybee]

I like dirt floor coops, and as long as you have a dig proof edge, they are predator proof.

But.... eh.... personal preference.

I think it looks like a great coop "bones"/ starting point.

I love the large screened area, most coops don't have enough ventilation, but that one looks great.

My husband would he happy to hear that! He went and got a plywood floor because it really needs to be shored up on the bottom and then we don't have to work about animals getting up underneath. The windows are great but I'm going to end up covering the upper half and adding hardware cloth because they're really big. I also do r have windows on the other side so not sure about air flow? What's there now is some plastic with wire inside. I do like that it has a door I can walk into and that I can customize it (looking on the bright side ).

 

[ehoneybee]

What about a covering for the windows in the winter? Maybe a wood flap that comes down?

 

[David61]

Yea, shore up the foundation and wall plates and go dirt floor. Just run a wire fence skirt out 18"-24" and bring it up to the old floor wall plate and screw it down and sandwich with a board on top. It will add nice ventilation.

 

[aart]

Floor close to ground can make great rodent habitat underneath.
Floor or not, anti-dig aprons are a good idea on coop and run.

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
If rodents are prolific, burying the apron ~12" would be good.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[ehoneybee]

I haven't noticed any tunneling around our current coops, but likely this floor will be up off the ground somewhat so this is good info. DH is planning to make a wood frame with 2x4s with the plywood floor on top and then set the coop on that.

 

[Alaskan]

What about a covering for the windows in the winter? Maybe a wood flap that comes down?

I wouldn't, you need ventilation, even in winter.

With all of the ventilation on only the one side, there "shouldn't" be a breeze at perch level.

If you get a horrid cold snap (so, -20 C or F for a week or more), or come winter you find a strong draft at perch level, you could tack up a little cardboard.