Is this shed good for chickens?

[WoodlandWoman]

If you don't make some type of solid floor for it, then you need to bury wire, to keep animals from digging to get in.

 

[erinm]

they will be broiling in the summer. We got a shed from a shed place and modified. That worked erally well. I would post pics but i don't know how. It is getting wired for electric this week. Erin M

 

[COgirl]

We are converting a steel shed that we already had. We put in a wood floor, which will be covered with vinyl, we bought inexpensive barn siding from Lowes, 15.00 per 4x8 sheet. Scavanged some old mobile home windows, took the old doors off and made a chicken wire wall with screen door DH built, we call it the summerwall, will be insulated and sided for winter. The interior walls will be wood and insulated. We are scroungging 3/4" sheets of plywood from my husbands job, they come off the pallets, for the roof which will then be shingled. Cold hard cash we have laid out so far is about 250.00, mostly on the siding and other supplies ie:screws, nails 2x4 'etc. I have a fan that I hang on the outside to keep the coop cool, but since everyone free ranges they don't go in usually till around 6:30 or so. Of course when you are "scavenging" as much as possible it takes time to complete and it is always in various stages. So far no complaints from the occupants though. DH and I are having fun doing this project together and I think the hunting for stuff is alot of fun.

 

[foxtrapper]

For 10 hens and a roo, it's oversized, unless you plan on spending time in there with them. Though you could partition it, using the other side for feed and supply storage. Hmmm, in that light, it's got some good possibilities.

You don't need a foundation. The shed can sit right on the ground. But, a foundation provides a level and stable base, which on a flimsy shed like this is very important. The foundation does not need to be fancy. Nothing more than some boards and four stakes pounded into the ground would be quite sufficient. A dirt floor for the birds is just fine.

With a run to get out into, heat and cold are not a problem with a metal shed. A white metal shed doesn't get impressively hot anyhow. Easily ventilated if you wish it.

Rust and corrosion will be your enemy. Without rigorous cleaning, muck will build up at the base and rot it out in a few years. An application of something like bed liner material around the lower one foot would go a long way towards holding the rust at bay. You can get bed liner material from Walmart and slather it on with a brush.

If you've no experience with metal sheds, they are very noisy. They boom in the winds quite nicely. They are flimsy, and have a habit of collapsing in heavy snows. The doors forever jam and fight opening. They rust up nicely in a few years. But, with care on installation and some maintenance, they can work well for years.