Is this usable as a coop?

[Chickens in Elmwood]

So, we have an old outbuilding. Actually it used to be a playhouse for the previous owners children. When they got bigger, he cut off one end and drove his riding mower in for storage. I think we can expand the floor and tie in some walls, build some nest boxes to hang on the front and seal up the ventilation holes up near the top of the roof and call it done.

My dh started framing for the floor expansion, and then decided that the building was too unlevel and would have to be torn down completely. I wonder if chickens know that buildings are not level...

Opinions please.

There is not normally water this close to the shed, but we had an incredibly unusual flood here recently.

 

[kezabel]

lol No I don't think the chickens will be bothered with it not being level.

I'd give the shed a good kick and see if it still stays standing and if it does I recon it would be good to use.

 

[annanicole18]

heck my coop is an outhouse from the late 1800's thats alot better than an outhouse! looks like it has a lot of potential

 

[H2OKarensa]

Looks like it could be a super duper cute coop. All ye olde and stuff.
We use all kinds of recycled materials for our girls. They currently nest in old filing cabinet drawers and don't care one bit.

 

[Monk]

Definately useable! It also has a very much desired patine that should be maintained as is.

 

[bills]

How many chickens are you going to get? You may not need to do any expansion if your only going to have 4-6 birds. If anything I would just add a fenced run onto the end, your Hubby is adding to, and put a chicken door in the new wall.

You may want to think twice about sealing up all the roof ventilation. Maybe some can be incorporated into it, as you will need ventilation for the chickens.

Put a window in the front, with a flower box, and voila, a cool looking vintage coop.

If you are on or near a river, better hardware cloth around the base of the coop, (bury the wire 1 foot as well), and any other areas that mink/rats could get in. Usually lots of them around rivers.

 

[Quack Shack]

I agree! Great rustic appeal that doesn't scream "I am a coop!" My girls nest in refurbed dresser drawers and we had a recent post about a VW converted to a coop. Only thing missing is an ad for tobacco or shaving cream on the side.

 

[Judy]

Yes, where is the Burma Shave sign?!

Before you cover up any ventilation holes, read here, as you may just want to cover them with hardware cloth:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

 

[Sharons7]

can you move it away from the water some? Or hang little life vests for chickens on the side of it.

 

[DTchickens]

usable.. But question... Are there any alligators in that river? (or whatever it is). If so maybe dangerous.. Another question, ever see/catch any fish out of it? wish i had land like that