Metal shed

[aje127]

Hi all. So I just moved from Orlando Fl where I had a cow panel coop, which was perfect for my girls, to caneyville ky. Big BIG change for me. There is a 15x15 metal shed on the property that I want to convert into a coop. I know I'll need to insulate it so it won't be an oven in the summer and a freezer in the winter. My question is this. The floor is dirt. I was thinking of pouring a concrete floor and just keeping straw down. Thoughts.
Pic is inside of my cow panel coop

 

[Boppo]

I would guess that ventilation will be more important even than the insulation. I'd just insulate with wallboard (because you don't want the hens to eat your insulation), and add lots of ventilation, with coverage of hardware cloth to keep out predators. You would probably do better to keep your hens on the bare earth, but be sure you have a hardware cloth apron that extends 2 feet out from all around the coop (and pen if you add one), and maybe some pavers around the inside to keep the hens from burrowing as they dust bathe.

Here's an article on ventilation, and here is a discussion with another member about using a metal shed for chicken coop.

 

[FunClucks]

I"m going to second what Boppo said above - ventilation is key. Chickens can survive down to -20F easily, as long as they have a draft free area to roost at night, are not wet, and have adequate ventilation above their heads. Rule of thumb is 3 sq ft ventilation per chicken in the coop, more if you live in hot/humid climate. I wouldn't worry about insulating that shed, but I would worry about ventilation a lot. If you keep the interior and exterior at about the same temp due to lots of ventilation year round, condensate may not be much of an issue, if at all.

Good luck!!!

 

[3KillerBs]

Don't bother with insulation, just open up LOTS AND LOTS of ventilation.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

If you show us more photos of the building from different angles we might be able to make suggestions for optimal venting.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Can you remove one side of the coop for an open air style?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I know I'll need to insulate it so it won't be an oven in the summer and a freezer in the winter.

Not really. Lots of people in your climate use metal sheds without insulation. Just like the wild birds that overwinter where you are, the insulation they need is their feathers. What they need is a place where they can be out of breezes strong enough to ruffle their feathers and mess with that insulation.

It is certainly possible you can have a condensation issue with your metal shed, especially in early spring. It may be beneficial to insulate your roof in a way to stop that condensation. That's the only reason I'd insulate, if condensation is a problem. It may not be.

In winter another risk is frostbite. Moving from Florida you may not know this but if you go outside with wet hands, feet, or a wet face when it is below freezing you are susceptible to frostbite. Especially if there is a breeze for wind chill. The air in your coop can become moist from their breathing. wet poop, or your water dish. Good ventilation gets that moist air out. How do you have enough ventilation to get rid of moisture without having a breeze blowing on them? There are different techniques but the one I like is to have your ventilation openings over their head.

In summer heat is an issue. Hot air rises so ventilation up high gets rid of hot air. It can help to have a place for cooler air to come in to replace that hot air. I suggest a vent down low in the shade. In Kentucky that means the north or northeast side of the coop. You can close that in winter to keep breezes out. In a taller walk-in 15' x 15' coop ventilation is not as important as it would be in a tiny coop, but it is still important.

Since the sun is hottest on your south and west sides I'd try to put the nests on the opposite walls so they don't get as hot. You don't want the nests to become an oven.

My question is this. The floor is dirt. I was thinking of pouring a concrete floor and just keeping straw down. Thoughts.

How is the drainage in that area? If water drains to it or water stands in that area I'd do the concrete. You do not want a coop with a wet floor. If the floor stays dry there is nothing wrong with a dirt floor. I prefer dirt, it is softer, but it needs to stay dry.

People use straw, hay, wood shavings, wood chips, sand, dirt, grass clippings, dried leaves, and who knows what else for bedding. Some people turn their coop floor into a compost pile so kitchen wastes, garden wastes and excess, and many other things may go on that pile. No matter which one you choose somebody will explain why you can't use it, and for some people it is not the best. We all have different conditions. But there are people that use all those successfully. It's a case of finding what works for you.

 

[aje127]

I would guess that ventilation will be more important even than the insulation. I'd just insulate with wallboard (because you don't want the hens to eat your insulation), and add lots of ventilation, with coverage of hardware cloth to keep out predators. You would probably do better to keep your hens on the bare earth, but be sure you have a hardware cloth apron that extends 2 feet out from all around the coop (and pen if you add one), and maybe some pavers around the inside to keep the hens from burrowing as they dust bathe.

Here's an article on ventilation, and here is a discussion with another member about using a metal shed for chicken coop.

Thank you. I did buy 3 windows for each wall, and I plan on installing a fan for summer. I appreciate the input.

 

[Bladester]

Hi. Dirt floor is fine. I had that in my first coop. Main focus may want to be the ventilation. This is more important than the insulation. Cheers.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you. I did buy 3 windows for each wall, and I plan on installing a fan for summer. I appreciate the input.

Windows are helpful, but don't create sufficient airflow alone.

You need top-level venting to allow heat and ammonia to get out.

 

[HappyFarmerswife]

I have a portable building as a coop. Mine has insultation in it covered by plywood over it. I am in north Florida at the FL/GA. I have electricity in my coop. I found a small plug in fan at the dollar general for the summer time to keep it cool. One side we cut out the wall and added nest boxes that you can get from the outside. It is warm in the summer in the coop. I really enjoy my coop