New member from Maryland

[Jessica Conley]

Hello,
I am originally from Southern Illinois and we have finally been able to purchase a home with some land. We are researching everything we need to know about raising chickens. My first question is about a coop. We have a very large older shed. Our thoughts are to make the back end of it into a coop. My concern is the roof has been leaking and the previous owners just let it go. There is a musty smell and I am sure some mold. If we replace the roof, pressure wash the inside and bleach the mold then let it dry out do you think it will be safe for chickens? We don’t want to make them sick from their home.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Welcome to the flock, @Jessica Conley!

 

[N F C]

Hi Jessica, it's nice to have you here!

I think you could clean up and bleach the old shed. Get the roof fixed and adapt it for a coop (make it safe from predators, with plenty of ventilation, roosts, nesting boxes, etc.) and it would be fine.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Jessica Conley]

Great thank you!

 

[m1chelle1]

Welcome!
Definitely bleach it out...make sure you let the bleach smell evaporate and clear out before you put chickens in there. Also, ensure that the mold is truly dealt with. You never know, it could be in areas that you don't get or address, then next thing you know- sick chickens . So id let the bleach smell air out, then smell around to make sure you DONT smell anymore mold. Or see any more. Nasty stuff...just my 2c. Hope that helps- Good Luck!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Hello and welcome to the site. Ventilation alone would alleviate the mold smell. The only reason it has been allowed to manifest is because it's been sealed up. Cleaning it out and add adequate ventilation would prevent it from becoming moldy again. I hope you enjoyed the website as much as I do.

​

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC. Great advice above.

Here’s a link to the Articles section - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ There you’ll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping chickens - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs.

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - Find Your State Thread


Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[N Sully]

Welcome Jessica! You have found a wealth of information and experience that is freely shared by joining BYC members.

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome to BYC! So glad you joined us. There's a wealth of info, knowledge and experience shared in the multitude of threads. Browse around and see what interesting stuff you can find. By all means post away when the desire strikes you, especially if you have questions (provide as much detail/info as possible and pictures truly help)... With all the great folks here, generally someone will respond in no time at all. Please make yourself at home! Oh, if you haven't done so already, PLEASE put at least your general location in your profile. It could be very important if/when you ask for or offer help or advice. You know, climate issues and such. Old folks like me will never remember from this post title...

I'm pretty sure you can clean up, repair, sanitize and use that portion of the shed with no problem at all! Chickens aren't concerned with appearance, it's all about function Give them a warm dry place to roost with plenty of ventilation and they'll give you fresh eggs, quality meat (if you desire), lots of entertainment, and extra chores to keep you busy and avoid free time

 

[drumstick diva]

Hope you will enjoy Backyard chickens as much as we do.