Metal or Morton building style coop

Happyhens19

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Jan 23, 2025
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I currently have 3 nice Amish made coops for my 75 chickens, but sadly when we move in the next year the coops won't be able to come to our new house. I've toyed with the idea of buying a large metal (Morton style) building to house all my chickens in one coop.
I've seen how the wooden and shingle coops break down over time, so thus for longevity a metal coop seems a better fit. Has anyone gone this route? Suggestions or pictures welcome and appreciated!
 
I don't own one. That said, I can perhaps lend a useful opinion.

First - metal roofing for chicken coops, properly supported, is great. I'm in a place with no snow loads, so "properly supported" is pretty broadly spaced, the stuff is cheap, its easier to install correctly than shingles, and as you noted, it lasts longer.

That's the Pro.

Now the Con...

I have yet to see a pre-fab metal shed or pre-fab building with even remotely close to adequate airflow. It is absolutely critical that you have a way to move moist, ammonia laden air away from your birds. There are lots of commercial chicken buildings around me. Every one of them is metal, and every one of them uses a forced air system to drive good air in and moist ammonia air out. All of them are also much larger than you need for a mere 75 birds - but the essential truth remains. You are goign to need to either cut a bunch of passive ventilation in there, then screen it up to keep predators out or set up a more active system.

If the building is framed right (doubtful) and you have the skills and the tools - that's not an issue. If it isn't or you don't, that can be a real complication.
 
There is someone here on BYC that did similar. It was/is quite a large thread. I want to say it was in the mountains of TN, but I don't remember the name of the thread or the member who started it. Maybe try a string of search words?

I remember them having to have the "barn " area excavated & leveled, trenches for water drainage, etc. Lots of pics as they went along. After company installed building, I believe she & her spouse built the individual pens & storage room inside the building. I think they may have put some outdoor runs on as well...

I'm pretty sure they did install a fan system along w/ more ventilation then a regular barn or shed would have.

They also went over things that were wrong from the builder & things they would do differently.

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Check w/ Morton. They do custom builds & pretty sure wouldn't be difficult. Most other builders could do same.

Be careful about builders, scams have popped up w/ horse barn builders. Know or heard of several in past 10 years who've put down major deposits, work started & then builder or subcontractor take off w/ funds. Places/builds left a jumbled mess...

Another option is a carport build. They have open carports that you can use & build your own interior. Some have various closed in areas w/ a door. The price in our area used to include the cost of delivery & set up. Usually you have to level the area & may have to do some type of foundation.
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Edit to add - I found the big Barn thread...

Thread 'Building New Coop/Barn...Phase 5 Great Barn Build, OCCUPIED! 3/6/16' https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-5-great-barn-build-occupied-3-6-16.1023932/
 
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