Me again... I need some ideas... Come on in, I've got a pic. ;)

[SterlingAcres]

So, I've mentioned that we're thinking of moving within the next few months here. Today we looked at a nice piece of land with a real crapshoot farmhouse on it. It's fixable, just a lot of work. I'm begging the husband to consider it. It's really a steal.

Point being, there's this little building/shed already on the property.

I think it'd make an awesome chicken coop. There's an opening for a window cut into the backwall maybe 20x20in and another window on the left side of the photo also maybe 20x20. Now that I'm looking, there's a 3rd window above that 'pophole'. The pophole on the side (I'm sure) was used to house one of the many pittbulls the owners had. Don't mind the trash in the photo, it's a mess there. It's quite a few acres, so I don't think I'll need a run - I'd like to let them free range.

Anyways, It's pretty roomy inside. Maybe 10x10 or 12x12 ft? I've got a few ideas for it. But I'd like more. I'm not in love with the siding, but going economical wise, it'll have to stay. What can I do to give it character and charm? I'd like to have the coop finished before I hatch our own flock, just so I know I have the time to finish it and still save some dough (not being in crunch time).

Opinions for roosts, flooring, windows, painting, etc... anything's welcome. What do you think?

ETA --
Here's the inside of the building. It's got green carpeting on the floor, just laying there.

 

[Chirpy]

Oh man! I'm salivating already just looking at that great chicken coop to be.

It would be so cool to make that into a hen house; most of the works already done for you.

I hope things work out for you to move there if that's what you want. It looks wonderful!

 

[conny63malies]

i am already counting on how many chickens could fit in there. If we settle down after my husband is done with the army, thats what i am getting. A big wood shed. But with seperate areas and runs because i want to breed some purebreeds. This sheds is every chicken addicts dream.

 

[Anny]

oh man that would be neat!

Is that a doggie door already cut into in the right corner ??

 

[Rte.66_chicks]

That looks GREAT!! And some extra materials are included!! I'd be busy with my measuring tape, then with graph paper, designing the interior, figuring out modifications needed...so much is already RIGHT THERE!!

 

[Stumpy]

If it were mine, I'd clear out the carpet and put down some cheap vinyl. I would add insulation and cheap paneling over that and paint if a light color. Adding window boxes really adds charm. Is that a light fixture over the door? Replace it with a more attractive one. You could paint the fascia trim a different color. If you don't want to go to the trouble of cutting holes on each side of the door for windows, you could hang wooden window frames on the outside just for appearances.

It has great potential!

 

[patandchickens]

Do you have dogs or something that will discourage predators? Because otherwise, free-ranging chickens in the woods can turn into an awfully depressing way of chumming up all the foxes, coyotes and raccoons in the county and buying them dinner.

A STRONGLY BUILT safe run would at least give you options, like especially if you're going to be away for the day. Obviously you'd want to lock the chickens in the coop at night.

Good luck, and it looks like you should be able to turn that shed into a TERRIFIC coop

,

Pat

 

[SterlingAcres]

Anny, yes that is a doggy door already in the side. The owners nephew was living in the place and raised/bred pittbulls and let them wreck the house.

Pat, yes we do have a dog. I'd like to get her an invisible fence, since I think given the chance, she might book it. LOL I think she'd make a good babysitter. We'd like to get another dog (although I'm unsure of which breed, we'll most likely adopt from the shelter, like we did with Zoey). I'd like to add goats, ducks, maybe a sheep or two... It's going to be good makings for a little mini farm homestead.

Thanks for all the ideas guys. I'm so excited, I've always wanted to keep chickens, but we've never had the room. Now if we get this place, that shed would house... almost 40 birds! Man oh man...

 

[pattycake]

I agree that even if you freerange, you should have a strong predator-proof run for them. I like mine to be locked up safe at night and when I'm away for the day, and in the winter mine spent much more time in the run than outdoors.

I've freeranged 14 chickens for a year, and knock on wood, haven't lost any of them to predators because I keep them in at night.

It looks like an awesome shed!!

 

[dreammaker8482]

Wow, what a steal! The building looks really roomy, and possibly bigger that a 10x10....

I would buy that in a heartbeat knowing what I know now. Thanks to the governments stimulus check, they just built me a coop!!