Large shed refab to Goat/Coop

[KenzieDenas]

What's cluckin chicken lovers? I got my sweet mixed flock on August 8th this year and had been working on refabbing the back of our shed for the chickens. I got it done and them out last week. Then I'll be doing the front of it for the Nigerian Dwarf goats we get next Spring.

It was completely empty. I cut and built every aspect myself. I know some things might not be the best choice, but I made do with what I had. I look forward to hearing some possible suggestions on how I could improve it. The only things I have left planned is cutting more ventilation, building more roosts, and adding the shelving roost under the window.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Very nice start! Your nest boxes are going to need a lip on the front of them to keep the bedding and eggs in. What are you doing with that shelf that runs the back length of the coop? I would put a lip around the whole thing and turn it into a poop board and run a roost the length of it. What does the outside of the shed look like? I'm just curious what other windows and whatnot are there because it definitely looks like it needs more ventilation. Where in general are you located?

 

[KenzieDenas]

Very nice start! Your nest boxes are going to need a lip on the front of them to keep the bedding and eggs in. What are you doing with that shelf that runs the back length of the coop? I would put a lip around the whole thing and turn it into a poop board and run a roost the length of it. What does the outside of the shed look like? I'm just curious what other windows and whatnot are there because it definitely looks like it needs a more ventilation. Where in general are you located?

Thank you for the tip about the lip I'll definitely need to do that for the nesting box and shelf. That's what I meant about the elevated roosting shelf! I saw that on someone else's build and thought it was a great idea! Gonna lip it, add bedding, and a bar parallel above it.
For ventilation I'm cutting out 2 more ventilations on either side under the lip of the roof. I keep the big barn doors and window opened all day as pictured for main ventilation. We are located in Oklahoma and still in the thick of the heat. I need the wall vents done soon for winter so it doesn't get too moist.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

For ventilation I'm cutting out 2 more ventilations on either side under the lip of the roof.

What do you mean by this? How big?

 

[KenzieDenas]

What do you mean by this? How big?

As shown with the red. About that big under the lip on either side. I was also thinking about putting in a top spinning vent for the heat at the top to escape.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

As shown with the red. About that big under the lip on either side. I was also thinking about putting in a top spinning vent for the heat at the top to escape.

I'm not sure how that is going to work out, with no real overhang rain would blow right in there and make quite the mess, and those are very small.

 

[KenzieDenas]

I'm not sure how that is going to work out, with no real overhang rain would blow right in there and make quite the mess, and those are very small.

That's a good point. I can probably add more overhang. Would you suggest something alternatively?

 

[Auntiejessi3]

That's a good point. I can probably add more overhang. Would you suggest something alternatively?

Some additional windows maybe, or just make those much larger and put an awning or something over them. Just be sure whatever you do you put hardware cloth over it for predator protection.

This is just a suggestion
https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/20220917_161914-jpg.3263985/

 

[KenzieDenas]

That's perfect! Be able to close it during our bad weather here in central Oklahoma. Thank you very much!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

That's perfect! Be able to close it during our bad weather here in central Oklahoma. Thank you very much!

You're welcome! My husband put them over my windows and doors on my coop, but they are open 24/7/365, ventilation is very important, even more so in the winter!