Need Help with Shed Modifications

[Clare_CA]

Hello there,

I was wondering if this shed from Costco will do as a chicken coop with some modifications. It's only $600, and it has a side window that you can't see in the picture that we could put a screen over for fresh air and ventilation if that is needed. I'm in Southern California, where the humidity is very low so I don't think there will be a problem with condensation build up, and in fact, the doors can stay open since the coop will be completely enclosed with fencing. It doesn't freeze here and stays above 40 most winter nights. We could close the doors and make a little entry door that swings open or stays open. I was thinking that I could buy some nesting boxes to go in there.

I need to do some more research on coops, but any suggestions that you have will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

That's awesome!!!!

 

[patandchickens]

If you can make a full mesh front-with-door for the opening that has double doors (so you can leave the doors wide open and still have the chickens safely enclosed inside) for the hot parts of the year, that should be *fine*

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Clare_CA]

Thanks so much, Cloverleaf Farm and Pat!

 

[nanawendy]

Oh my, I was looking @ those in Costco yesterday... Too rich for my blood but I definitely had pipe dreams of another coop. One concern I had was ventilation.I sure you already thought of that. Have fun

 

[midget_farms]

This shed would make a perfect coop.

I plan on getting one similar myself here in Illinois in the next couple of weeks. I have 26 in the brooder & my current coop will only hold 8 or so.

The double wall construction will make for a well insulated space.

You can make nest boxes out of milk crates if you can find some or buy a pre-fab from the local farm store.

The shed should have notches on the inside to allow the installation of boards to use a shelves. If these are low enough to the ground they make great roosts!

 

[Clare_CA]

Thanks, nanawendy and Midget_farms for your posts. That's very reassuring. We're going to pick one up tomorrow. I'll post some more pictures once it's in and ready to be modified. Nest boxes out of milk crates is an excellent idea. I've got too big wooden boxes that I was going to use for composting, but I don't think I will now. I think I'll use it inside the coop. What do you think of them: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...p=C&hierPath=50126*79323*79329*79330*&topnav= Thanks for your help!

 

[Jess N Jeff]

Thats so pretty!!! I wish I had the money to get one!!! Your chickens are gonna be very lucky.

 

[Clare_CA]

Thanks, Jess N Jeff. It's funny because my hubby is already grumbling about how much money we've spent on these guys already. I tried to cheer him up by telling him that I'll sell some eggs! LOL!

 

[Clare_CA]

I thought I would share some pics of the newly built chicken coop and run. The girls seem to like it! It took about a week or so for us to build it and attach the wire, and we put together the shed in a day. We still have to work on some more roosts and nesting boxes.

These are compost boxes that I probably won't use. They seem to like the shade and shelter they provide:

Taking a dust bath here:

Some of the girls; although, some think the last one is a roo: