This is turning into a bigger project than I originally anticipated! I'm not sure I can do all this by myself.
Can the vents in the wall be above the loft? Would that still create enough air circulation?
The roof is traditional peaked, like a house. I'd put vents in the wall on either of the higher sides, but they'd be in the loft area. Can I forego the vents for the time being? Weather's still on the chilly side (spattering of snow yesterday, but 60 by Sunday). Because it's been so cold, I really need to get the chickens outside as soon as possible. They're way too big for staying indoors. I'll give them daily run in the yard time, until the run is built.
It only looks monumental from the outside. If you really want the flock in there NOW, take everything out and make it secure and safe for now. Then you will see what they do and where they go inside. I think if you don't install nest boxes that are accessible you could use the buckets or make some up in the shelves, but I think that shelf area might be perfect for a brooding area if you decide to raise chicks. The framing is already there, so is the electricity. Make the electrical safe, it sounds like you will need it in the winter. I didn't see where you are from. Remember chickens are hardy birds and they can deal with cold temps on their own. Keep the cabinets for storage, you will be glad you did. Install a pop door and use the big door for access, that way they can come and go as they please.
As long as the loft is not most of the ceiling, having the vents above it is fine. You can always cut more/bigger holes but it's certainly easier to do a job once than halfway twice. It's also easier to work on an empty building than one full of chickens. But, you do what you have to do. I would not move them in prior to adding some ventilation, though. You didn't say how many chicks or how old but to give you an example, think of parking in a car with a date. You know how the windows fog up? That's from breathing in a poorly vented space. Now, imagine if you both needed to use the restroom and just went in there. No rolling down any windows, remember, not venting. Doesn't sound pleasant, does it? So, if you have to move chicks/juveniles ASAP, cover the windows with hardware cloth and open them. Hang their heat lamp securely and they'll be fine. They'll probably sleep on the lower work bench shelf once they don't need the heat. Then they'll get brave and fly to the upper one... Best to get it ready before they lay the first egg so they don't become accustomed to laying wherever they choose. For hybrid layers, that puts a deadline at 16 weeks... Remember, it's a chicken coop. It doesn't have to be perfect or beautiful, just functional.
Yay. I went up in the loft today and there's a space on both slope sides about 4 inches. Basically the 2 x4 that makes up the roof. so it's about 4" x 8' on both sides. I can just cover it with chicken wire or hardware cloth. And the parts that aren't paneled, the air can get between the wall and the loft 'floor' down to the lower part.
Where you live is important. A ridge vent can be great, especially in the summer, but don't depend on it in the winter if you get snow. You do need ventilation up high in the winter. Gable vents up top would be great, even above that loft. Ammonia is lighter than air and warm air rises plus holds more moisture. Openings up high are great, plus any wind from this is over the chickens’ heads.
If you plan to raise chicks in a brooder in the future, beneath that workbench may be an easy place to convert to a brooder. My brooder is in the coop. They are out there from Day 1, even when the temperatures were in the single digits. Just keep one end warm enough and draft-proof. It could also make a great isolation pen for an injured chicken or a place to isolate a broody. All kinds of opportunities there. The top could be roosts or nests, whatever you wish.
I’d get rid of those hornet nests. I don’t know if they are dormant or empty, but there is no use taking a chance they may become active. If your chicks are going out there soon, just toss them on the floor, open them up, and let the chicks at the larva. Good free protein!
A pop door really isn’t that hard to do once you get at it. Some of these things are intimidating at first but once you get a plan they are easily doable. Cut your hole between the studs. Put a horizontal between the studs at the top and another at the bottom of the hole. Put in verticals between those horizontals (or cut the hole right at one of the studs and use that as a vertical) so you have something to nail or screw to. Then install a door. You can go with hinges or a guillotine type. Other than just being able to position it on the side you want it, a big advantage to using a small pop door instead of a people door is it lets in a lot less rain. You need to be able to lock it open and closed. You don’t want it slamming shut in the wind and locking your hens away from the nests or slamming shut when one is in the way. And use hardware big enough and substantial enough to resist a strong raccoon. I made the mistake of using hinges and a hasp too small and had to go back with larger stuff. I can give good advice. I’ve made most of the mistakes that are possible to make.
I think anything else I say will just be a repeat of what others have said. You’re getting good advice.
Just saw your last post. You are in good shape!!!!
Here's an update on my progress of this conversion. I caulked around all windows, and filled in two holes in a wall with caulk. I'll put plywood up over that section when I get some scrap plywood. I made a frame out of lathing strips to cover with chicken wire and make a simple door to attach to the hole in the loft. However, for some reason my staple gun is not working! so for now I put some boards across but didn't cover it completely and laid the chicken wire across from the top.
The floor is particle board and almost rotted through in some places, so I've been covering the soft parts with random scraps of plywood, making sure they're at least across some 2x4's. Hopefully that will be enough?
There's a second sheet of particle board on part of a wall that was never finished, so I had to fill in the 4 inch gaps on top so the chicks don't get stuck between the walls. Do I need additional roosts if the chickens are going to be able to get up on that counter?
Then, it was so dreary in the shed despite three different windows so I decided to paint it with primer. We picked up some 'oops' paint at the hardware store and my kids will decorate it tomorrow. It looks much more cheery now.
Kids starting on back wall. you can see where I plugged in the 2x4's above the one piece.
Front door, and son saying he was done painting. I had to add lathing strips to the right side because there was a huge gap there.
Window above the bench, and kids painting primer.
Hole to loft with wood across. I later added some chicken wire across the top of the boards, for now.
Looks like you are well on your way to happy chickens, the paint will make a huge difference, you might want to build a ramp up to the top of the bench depending on how big your birds are, they will appreciate a 2x4 roost across the top of the bench, keep the pictures coming.
Here's an update on my progress of this conversion. I caulked around all windows, and filled in two holes in a wall with caulk. I'll put plywood up over that section when I get some scrap plywood. I made a frame out of lathing strips to cover with chicken wire and make a simple door to attach to the hole in the loft. However, for some reason my staple gun is not working! so for now I put some boards across but didn't cover it completely and laid the chicken wire across from the top.
The floor is particle board and almost rotted through in some places, so I've been covering the soft parts with random scraps of plywood, making sure they're at least across some 2x4's. Hopefully that will be enough?
There's a second sheet of particle board on part of a wall that was never finished, so I had to fill in the 4 inch gaps on top so the chicks don't get stuck between the walls. Do I need additional roosts if the chickens are going to be able to get up on that counter?
Then, it was so dreary in the shed despite three different windows so I decided to paint it with primer. We picked up some 'oops' paint at the hardware store and my kids will decorate it tomorrow. It looks much more cheery now.
Kids starting on back wall. you can see where I plugged in the 2x4's above the one piece.
Someone doesn't look happy... Are you sure he "volunteered"?
I would definitely add roosts for the chickens, as they prefer to sit on them then on a flat surface and they won't be sitting or sleeping in there own poop! Use a 2x4 or similar, not round so they can sit on the roost without falling off... Trust me on that one. On the loft I would use chicken wire for the whole thing for the ventilation. At least its not pink!!!
Here's the added painting touches we did today from 'oops' paint colors we got from the hardware store. The chicks should be able to move in tomorrow, when I'll take more pictures of them in their new home.
I still have to put hardware cloth over the windows, and fix the door thingy over the loft hole. And figure out a roost. I have an idea for above the counter, just concerned about drafts from the two windows.
The door. The bottom panel is sun, grass & eggs. Above that is a chicken-bot, I think.
Far right is a chicken. I have no idea what the others are.
My kids think the chickens are going to particularly like the welcome sign. lol
