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.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[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.

 

[iwltfum]

About how big is it? Some of those boards on the back gable end look incredibly wide, might have been home milled, definitely local wood to the original builder. And while I was looking at that I notice the circular saw mill marks on those same boards. Super cool! Sorry, can't help but nerd out when I see an old building. I'm a bit of an old barn enthusiast.

 

[ehoneybee]

Yes, I noticed that....but still those shingles are at the end of their life....and good to get a look at the tops of the roof boards.

True. Might be only good halfway through. We have a bunch of corrugated plastic roofing from another project, maybe I'll just put that on. That way I can also add more of an overhang on the window side.

 

[Alaskan]

Floor close to ground can make great rodent habitat underneath.

So true!!!!

An anti-dig apron made to keep even tiny rodents out is a good choice if you decide to go with a solid floor close to the ground.

 

[reddogmaster2]

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

OH MY GOD IS THAT A NOOSE HANGING INSIDE THE STRUCTURE!

Just kidding! I would have a great time taking that apart and re-plaining the wood and rebuilding it.

Good luck and enjoy the project! Old Wood Is Good Wood!

 

[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.