Need help converting a picnic pavilion to chicken coop!

[palmersfour]

I have a 14x14 picnic pavilion that we don't use. It has concrete floor and a great roof. We want to convert it to a chicken coop. We're only planning on 8 to 10 chickens. We're trying to figure out how to make this work without spending a ton of money. Anyone ever done this before?

 

[Brooks_]

I have a 14x14 picnic pavilion that we don't use. It has concrete floor and a great roof. We want to convert it to a chicken coop. We're only planning on 8 to 10 chickens. We're trying to figure out how to make this work without spending a ton of money. Anyone ever done this before?

Sounds like a fun project. Adding your general location to your profile will help you get better answers.

 

[Percheron chick]

Pictures and location?
Will be simple to frame out. Should be large enough for a coop/run combo.

 

[palmersfour]

Pictures and location?
Will be simple to frame out. Should be large enough for a coop/run combo.

Will post pics tomorrow. Albany, GA.

 

[Brooks_]

Good location for an open air coop. Will keep your costs down, too

 

[palmersfour]

Will post pics tomorrow. Albany, GA.

Pics uploaded to original post.

 

[palmersfour]

Will post pics tomorrow. Albany, GA.

Pics uploaded to original post.

 

[aart]

Pics uploaded to original post.

That's about the most perfect start for an open air coop.

 

[Percheron chick]

Super easy.
Living in the south, you do not need a traditional 4 walled coop. Ventilation, security and shade are all important to keeping your chickens alive and productive.
I would just frame out the walls. Use hardware cloth instead of plywood for the walls. Add one solid wall on the prevailing wind side, 2-4 nest boxes, a people door, a pop door, a roost or two and you are done.
Security is vital as there has to be a ton of wildlife around you. Being able to free range might not be possible so all that room will make for a healthy outdoor space.
You will easily spend $4-500. Hardware cloth and lumber is still pricey but you are easily saving $2000 with that as a starting point.

 

[perkolator]

I would go open air coop as well.

I’d probably do something like a very simple 2x2 wood frame that inserts between the posts and all the hardware cloth attaches to - so if you change your mind later it’s easily removed from structure with minimal holes.

Because of the concrete I’d be inclined to install 12” high solid wall at the base, for containment of deep organic bedding material so it’s not spilling out the hardware cloth or pushing on it constantly.

Find some nice looking tree branches around 3” diameter for roost bars. Maybe find an old cabinet to upcycle into a nest box area. Hang a feeder and add a waterer.

Could probably do all that for under $400 in materials (rolls hardware cloth, lumber, door hardware and fasteners, feeder, etc.

Good luck!