new chicken to chickens have some questions.

[domromer]

I'm getting my first chickens this week, 2 barred rocks and 2 speckled sussex.

Ive got thier brooder all ready, lights, feeder/waterer..ect.

Now I'm thinking of the coop. I just bought a house and it comes with 3 sheds.

I believe both sheds are metal.

Is a metal shed suitable for a coop. It has no windows, will that be a problem? Also i think I will need to drill ventilation holes.

Both sheds are well shaded by large trees.

I'm just wondering if a metal shed would get too hot.

Thanks for any answers you can offer, I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions and posting lots of pics once the ladies arrive.

 

[justusnak]

dom....welcome to BYC. Its great to see people coming on and asking before they get thier chicks. For the brooder.....is there a thermometer in there? To assure even temps? You want it at 95 for the first week, the drop by 5 degres a week.

The metal sheds should be ok...with some spruceing up. First....they will need windows. For ventilation. Summers make those little sheds like ovens. You might want to place a thermometer in there for a few days...and watch the temps.
Many people have converted metal sheds to coops. Check the "coop and design" section. If your winters are cold, will you be able to provide heat? Like a heat lamp? Or maybe insulate the inside!

Again...welcome...and enjoy your new ADDICTION!

 

[domromer]

Quote:
I don't have a thermometer, but I was going to pay attention to how they are acting, bunched up, spread out , or generally content and going about their business.

Is it possible to put a window in a metal shed? I thought it might be too thin to hold a window. I was thinking of drilling 3" holes along the top and covering those with chicken wire. Do you think that would be enough venitlation?

As for cold winters, I live in Central Oregon. Winters here don't often get below freezing. Do you think I would still need to provide heat in the winter?

Last question. I was thinking of making a chicken tractor. I have seen a few that it looks like the chickens are sheltered by something as simple as a 3 sided shed, surrounded by chicken wire. Can chickens live and roost without a total sealed living space? Something like a lean-too maybe?

Thanks again for all the help and idea. I want to make sure my chickens gett off to a god start.

 

[justusnak]

Chicken wire is only good for keeping chickens in...not keeping predators out. If you can get a yard thermometer...cheap at the dollar store. Drill the vents....put 1 inch welded wire...like rabbit cage wire over the holes. Just make sure to drill them in the walls...not the roof, or it will rain in.
If the temps dont get below freezing there, no need for heat. Good luck..and a tractor would be great for a few hens....but just be ready to convert the sheds....chickens are VERY addictive!! LOL

 

[allen wranch]

You really need more than holes for ventilation in the summer. It will get too hot in a metal or plastic shed unless there is PLENTY of ventilation.

Do you have metal storage sheds like you buy at Home Depot or Lowes or are they tin sheds made with lumber for the framing ? If they have 2x4 wood framing, you can easily put in a window. If they are sheds from a home improvement store, you may need to be a little more creative. You possibly could cut out a window, frame it with 1x4's and sandwich hardware cloth between the framing and the shed.

Look in the coops section on BackyardChickens and you will find several coops made from storage sheds. Hope this helps.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html

 

[domromer]

With a chicken tractore like this one below, the chickens wouldn't be totaly protected from the wind and cold. Would a tractor like this be used to house chickens year round? Or is it just for when they are outside of their coop and in the yard.

Ive seen a few designs like this one and am tempted because they look very easy to build, I'm just not sure if it would work as year round shelter.

 

[allen wranch]

A chicken tractor is primarily to give the birds a protected area outside that can be moved around the yard. Usually the chickens are put back in the coop at night. However, a lot of people use them as permanent coops. It depends a lot on your weather and how much protection the tractor provides. If you live in a cold, hot and/or wet climate, the tractor you show may have to be revised accordingly.