Metal framed wood shed coop

[goldenyears]

Hey folks, I’m considering a metal frame, wood wall and roof shed to convert to a coop. It is 10x12 with double wood doors. I’m gonna make one side for chicks and the other for supply storage. Any ideas on how to “perfect” this for the girls? Potential problems?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Any photos? How many chickens are you planning on putting in there? Sounds like a nice base
structure to build off of.

 

[ValerieJ]

Sounds like a good structure to me too. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation. I think it's a square foot per chicken or per sf of floor space on the ventilation. There are a lot of coop designs in this forum you just posted in, but I'm sure you know that. I like the idea of the poop boards with sand and PDZ for daily scooping under the roosts. I've read that linoleum flooring will make cleaning out the coop way easier. We are building a new coop this spring and have gone through a lot of the designs on this site to figure out what we want. Good luck with yours, and I hope you will post plans and pictures! If yours is done first, perhaps I'll be getting some ideas from you! I do have a thread on our initial plans, but will post again when DH has some time to make the changes from the advice we have gotten.

 

[goldenyears]

The shed is currently in Lowe’s parking lot! I have no pics, but was thinking about block base under the shed, blackjack 57 on floor, auto door leading to a small 10 x 8 covered run with separate entrance to existing 8 x 32 run. 1/2” hardware cloth all around, including subfloor in run. Not sure if I need to insulate or just make it draft proof. I’ve looked at sooooo many different coops that I’m dreaming about them! My budget is $1000 and I’ve spent about $800 in my mind already. . Was thinking the small run would always be accessible while the larger run opening when I awake. Maybe make chicken shaped cutouts for cross ventilation????

 

[goldenyears]

Any photos? How many chickens are you planning on putting in there? Sounds like a nice base
structure to build off of.

Thinking about 2 each of Barred Rock, gold and silver Laced Wyandotte’s and Rhode Island reds.

 

[ValerieJ]

The shed is currently in Lowe’s parking lot! I have no pics, but was thinking about block base under the shed, blackjack 57 on floor, auto door leading to a small 10 x 8 covered run with separate entrance to existing 8 x 32 run. 1/2” hardware cloth all around, including subfloor in run. Not sure if I need to insulate or just make it draft proof. I’ve looked at sooooo many different coops that I’m dreaming about them! My budget is $1000 and I’ve spent about $800 in my mind already. . Was thinking the small run would always be accessible while the larger run opening when I awake. Maybe make chicken shaped cutouts for cross ventilation????

Sounds pretty darn perfect to me.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The shed is currently in Lowe’s parking lot! I have no pics, but was thinking about block base under the shed, blackjack 57 on floor, auto door leading to a small 10 x 8 covered run with separate entrance to existing 8 x 32 run. 1/2” hardware cloth all around, including subfloor in run. Not sure if I need to insulate or just make it draft proof. I’ve looked at sooooo many different coops that I’m dreaming about them! My budget is $1000 and I’ve spent about $800 in my mind already. . Was thinking the small run would always be accessible while the larger run opening when I awake. Maybe make chicken shaped cutouts for cross ventilation????

The amount of space sounds great for number of birds. As cute as the cutouts would be for ventilation, I'm a more practical person, so just make sure you get enough ventilation high up for size of coop/number of birds (recommended minimum 10% of floor space or 1 sq ft per bird, whichever is greater) but if they're chicken shaped, you get bonus points from us.

Most of us don't do insulation, though of course that depends on your climate. Since you don't have location listed how cold does it get in winter where you're at?

I'll be impressed if you can do all this in 1k, that's a lot of hardware cloth plus the shed too. I'm not a fan of wire on the ground though, an apron is usually more cost efficient and far safer on chicken feet since they won't accidentally scratch their way down to it.

 

[aart]

Biggest draw back to purchased sheds is no overhang on the roof to accommodate soffit venting and protect window openings. Might be cheaper to build a shed than buy one.

an apron is usually more cost efficient and far safer on chicken feet since they won't accidentally scratch their way down to it.

Ditto Dat!
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
If rodents are prolific, burying the apron ~12" would be good.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208


Do you still have to coop that the preds got into?

Hey folks, I had chickens up until October when the unthinkable happened. A weasel raided the coop and killed the four chickens I had left

Might it be made more secure?

Anyway....Welcome to BYC! @goldenyears
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[steveneggs]

Thinking about 2 each of Barred Rock, gold and silver Laced Wyandotte’s and Rhode Island reds.

ASTROLORPS ARE GREAT I HAVE THEM AND I RECOMMEND THEM HIGHLY

 

[goldenyears]

Biggest draw back to purchased sheds is no overhang on the roof to accommodate soffit venting and protect window openings. Might be cheaper to build a shed than buy one.

Ditto Dat!
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
If rodents are prolific, burying the apron ~12" would be good.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208


Do you still have to coop that the preds got into?
Might it be made more secure?

Anyway....Welcome to BYC! @goldenyears
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1984940

Your will be done . Updated my location info. Good tip, thanks.