my 'shed" was delivered today

[AmCanyonStables]

As Monty Python would say.....Now for something totally different.
When I saw your photo, I thought immeadiately that you would get more useable space if you turn it on it's back - (the side opposite the doors). You could then raise it up a couple of feet on some 4x4 legs, even add wheels on the bottom of the legs if you want it moveable. Raising it up would make it easier to clean. You could remove the doors and build a roof out of a sheet of plywood and 2x4s. Then take the removed doors, and cut them down to use on the short ends for clean out, add a chicken door and windows - and you have a much bigger coop!

 

[CityChicker]

I will be anxiously watching what you do with your crate. A couple people in Colorado are selling them too, but they are $150 and are the ones with just one door. I have thought about buying one, but the dimensions are so odd (these are only 4 foot wide). I had thought about putting one on its side, but I don't know what I would do with the door not to mention the floor framing wood then be on its side. Anyway, I can't wait to see what you work out!

 

[dovecanyon]

Quote:
I thought about that originally, but the coop would only be 5' tall. My old back wouldn't take well to all that bending over. I only have 4 chicks, I think it will be big enough as is... after doing an unbelievable amount of reading on this website, forum, and in books, I should have enough room for up to 10 chickens as is. I can't imagine ever having that many. I live in the city...

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Fabulous idea! You don't need to think "outside of the box," just turn the box on its side. Love it.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
I thought about that originally, but the coop would only be 5' tall. My old back wouldn't take well to all that bending over. I only have 4 chicks, I think it will be big enough as is... after doing an unbelievable amount of reading on this website, forum, and in books, I should have enough room for up to 10 chickens as is. I can't imagine ever having that many. I live in the city...

Wait a minute, I thought the 5' measurement was the depth. Is it the width? That would make things different.

And about that "up to 10 chickens" thing. The higher the density of chickens to space, the more work keeping things clean and sanitary. Not to mention, from the chicken's perspective, higher population density is more stressful, and there's more opportunity for chicken bullying, etc.

 

[dovecanyon]

No worries... I don't plan on keeping more than 4 chickens at one time!

The shed is 5' wide, 7' long, and 8' tall. If I laid it on it's back with the doors on top it would be 7' long, 8' wide and 5' tall. I am 5'5" tall... I suppose I could try to flip it over on it's side, that would make it 5' wide, 8' long and 7' tall, but I don't think I need the extra 1' of length bad enough to warrant the work involved. I would have to hire someone to flip it and then move it back to it's original spot. Plus, I would have the issue of the doors:

The way it looks now:


How it would look if I flipped it:

Do you think it would be worth it for the extra 5 sq feet of space?

 

[elmo]

Aha! Now I see. No, I think you're right. If the height of the coop was only 5 feet and the depth 7 feet, there would be no way you could reach the back without climbing in there and stooping over. My coop is only 4 1/2 high, but it's also only 4 feet deep, and I can reach in the back without climbing in.

The other drawback to putting this shed up on legs is the weight. 500 lbs would mean you'd really need some heavy duty legs, and I wouldn't want to be one of the folks helping you lift it up, either.

So, back to your original idea, I guess.

 

[longranger]

It is probably best to keep it in the intended orientation. The floor is way more sturdy than the other walls and is made of thicker wood.

The only elevation the coop needs is to be put up on pressure treated lumber to extend the life of the floor.

 

[longranger]

sorry did a double click.