Metal coop?

[Poodlemum]

The price of wood right now just isn’t flying with me Has anyone used this style shed to convert to a coop?

We plan to ventilate with hardware cloth covered windows at the top and swap out the door. Location is shaded

Flooring recommendations? Debating dirt with deep litter, wood and linoleum, rubber mats

 

[Mamatomany123]

It's been done. Not something I could even consider because of how hot we get in the summer.

 

[Alaskan]

Where in the world are you located?

Climate matters.

Also, wood prices up here have dropped back down close ho normal-ish.

And, another option is to buy a used shed, or scrounge for free materials and build your own shed.

 

[Poodlemum]

Where in the world are you located?

Climate matters.

Also, wood prices up here have dropped back down close ho normal-ish.

And, another option is to buy a used shed, or scrounge for free materials and build your own shed.

Oops, thought I put that! Northern Utah

 

[aart]

Northern Utah

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Poodlemum]

We could also potentially mod our existing shed

 

[Alaskan]

Oops, thought I put that! Northern Utah

Which means, I think, that you have both very hot as well as pretty cold.

That would make me think that a metal building is going to be more headache than you want.

Boiling oven in the summer, and condensation issues in fall and winter. To fix those issues you will want to insulate, then you need to cover the insulation so the chickens don't eat it.

I would look for free or close to free wood.

Scrounging can get you a LARGE amount of great wood for free.

 

[Alaskan]

We could also potentially mod our existing shed

I like that better, except the roof has no eaves.

Huge eves make it much easier to have huge vents that are open 24/7.

You could extend that roof over a large covered run. The roof extension over the run will give you one protected coop wall that can have huge protected ventilation.

 

[3KillerBs]

Here in the US Southeast metal is commonly used for animal housing -- usually in the form of a 3-sided shelter because of our climate.

Metal has many advantages, but in some climates condensation is a BIG issue, requiring massive ventilation to get rid of the moisture. Massive ventilation is good for the chickens, but can be harder to provide in an area subject to severe winters.

Modifying your existing shed may be a better option.

Do you already have chickens or are you doing your preliminary prep work now before getting them?

 

[mrtoren]

Those metal sheds are tricky. If you don't ventilate them correctly, they will trap moisture and even drip condensation on your chickens. The metal also doesn't insulate well so they're hot in the summer and cold in the winter. By the time you insulate and modify that shed, the costs will exceed building a new stick frame coop.

If you don't need your existing shed, and its in good shape, it could be a viable option. However, retroactively modifying existing structures is a big job -- sometimes even harder work than building a new structure to purpose. First and foremost, you will need ventilation in that shed. Windows can be a great source. Many also install vents under the eaves of the roof. The higher the ventilation points, the less likely you are to get harmful drafts.

Is the roof in good shape? If its due to be re-done, you could modify the roof line to provide more overhang to shelter your ventilation points.