I'm getting a chicken coop! Need some advice.

2 am is my time. Well, today it was more like 5 am, but I have decided.

I want to make my existing metal shed into a fresh-air coop like the one in Mother Earth News March/April issue. I will see if there is a photo online to show you.

This is located next to the house and near the backdoor, directly off the patio and carport, which will make it easier for me to take care of the chickens especially when I am having problems walking. I can take my walker out there if I need to. It will also be easier for my daughter, who is blind, if she gets involved with their care (which I intend for her to).

It is also next to the garden, so I can fence that area in and let the chicks free range out there in the fall. Will have to cover it with netting, but this is not a bad thing, because it will help keep other things out of the garden. Just a project for later! This area is already fenced on two sides and the shed makes up the third side, so only one side to fence.

Disadvantage is that the shed is full of garden supplies, but frankly most of it is not being used and I can probably freecycle it or put it out for junk day. It will push me to get the larger storage building that I plan to put on my driveway and that will be easier for me to use, because I can't walk into the metal shed without bending over.

Okay, so here's the plan.
1. Cut down three overgrown burning bushes that are on the south side of the shed.

2. There appear to be 2 panels of metal siding on each side of the shed. I will remove one of these panels on the south sideo f the shed, nearest the front of the shed. I will also remove the door and the panel on the left (south) front. This will leave one panel on the right, the entire north panel (which faces my driveway and can be seen from the street), and the entire back panel (which faces my neighbor's yard), and one short panel on the south wall. So basically one big corner chunk will be open.

3. Frame in that open corner with 1x2's (there should be already a metal frame for holding the building together). I will build the frames and attache them to the building and attach hardware cloth. One opening in the front wall will become a door for humans. Because it is shorter than standard, I will need to build a door. I think this is just a frame with screen in the middle, a hinge and a latch. If anyone has an easier idea, let me know. I considered using the current sliding door, but these are hard to slide along their track, are not very secure (a predator could probably pry it open) and I want this area to be screened. The south wall will also need to contain the pop door, and I haven't decided how to do that yet.

4. Install nesting boxes and perches. Suspend water from the ceiling. Add chicks!

5. Build a run out to the south side of the new coop.

Feedback?
 
Sounds like a good plan!
Suggestions:
1) If you can do it without cutting down the bushes on the south side don't cut them, they will provide summer shade.
2) Use 2x3's instead of 1x2's
3) When you make your pop door, be sure to frame it in with wood so there are no exposed metal edges.
4) You can use milk crates or 5 gal. buckets for nest boxes with very little alterations.
5) Do you want to insulate for warmth or condensation? If it is for warmth, don't worry about it, they don't need it. If it is for condensation, wait and see. You should have enough open so it doesn't happen.
5) Be sure to put up a curtain to use for winter. You could even sew together feed bags to make that.

Good luck!
Be sure to post pics as you progress!
 
BTW its best not to insulate your coop unless you live in Alaska or Siberia or something. Chickens are pretty good at keeping warm and you can always put in a lightbulb to provide a bit of heat in the dead of winter. Far better to design your coop to stay cool in the summer. Chickens don't handle high temps very well. Hope that helps !
 
Not Siberia....We are in the Ohio Valley, zone 6a. I guess I was thinking more about the sun beating down on the metal roof, and maybe some kind of wall board or something would help.

The bushes do help shade, but they would be very hard to work around. I might be able to just cut them back. I'll see how it goes.

I had a guy here from the Orchard Project last weekend, and he recommended that spot where the bushes are for a fruit tree. So I was kind of thinking about putting either a pear or apple tree there. Would the chickens like an apple or a pear tree in their yard?
 
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I use a large dog run attached to my 12x12 coop . I put netting over the top and a tarp over half of it for shade, plus hard ware cloth over the lower 3 feet all the way around. I did have a raccoon once but other wise very secure.
 
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check with a local boy scout troop or 4-H club or neighbor that is handy with tools that will trade for cookies and lemonade or eggs later on. Also barter on craigslist trade tutoring for work. Local high schools might have a volunteer service organization - (wood shop class) that might be helpful.
 

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