New shed to turn into a coop!!!

[Eryn]

Ok so I just got a new shed today! I'm so excited! It isn't put together yet, I got it of craigslist so I broke it down and moved it today, tomorrow I will start putting it together! It is a 12x15 metal shed, anyone have ideas as to how I could go about converting it over? Like I'm not sure how I would add ventilation or roosting poles and such since it is not the most sturdy design? I was kinda thinking about making some sort of A frame type of roosting ladder for them so it wouldn't have to be attached to the walls?

Anyone with experience converting over a metal shed I need your advice! Should I leave it dirt floor and use a thin layer of bedding instead of DLM? I was kinda thinking about building a frame around the bottom with 2x12's so I could do DLM...

I don't know! My brain is going soooo fast racking with ideas!!!

I'd love some stories as to what other people have done, and what they would do differently if they could do it over!!!

Thanks so much!!!

 

[silkiechicken]

I would say add ventiliation. Not sure how hot it get's but I'd be afraid of a metal shed turning into an oven in the summer.

Good luck!

 

[Eryn]

I was thinking about that, and it will get pretty hot, I do let them out all day to free range, I don't really have any threats to them where I am so sometimes I even leave them out all night! I was thinking about putting a fan up to a window in it during the summer to force the air to move... The only way I can think to do it would be to just cut out sections and then cover them with hardware cloth or chicken wire... I'm just not sure how I would attach it to the shed? Any thoughts anyone?

 

[patandchickens]

Can you locate it somewhere in the shade (under tree, or on shady side of building) for at least part of the day? That would help somewhat with the turning-into-oven thing.

Pat

 

[hensdeliverthegoods]

Here's my two cents, for what it's worth. I'm originally from Modesto (not too far from Sacto) and I know how hot the summers get. I think you can still use the building, though...just insulate the roof, put it in the shade if possible, and put ventilation in it. I wouldn't put them in it without those modifications, though. Good luck!

 

[Eryn]

Quote:
I am planning to set it up in the shadiest corner of my yard... It gets shade for most of the day!

I'm definitely going to put ventilation in it, I'm just not sure what would be the best way?!? I don't know how I would go about insulating the roof either? Would that really make a big difference? I saw somewhere on here that someone insulated theirs with cardboard to cut down some of the heat.... Any thoughts on if that will work?