Property came with old coop. Help!

[HenRae]

I recently bought an old fixer upper property in SE Ohio that includes an old abandoned coop. I have been reading up trying to learn from you all so I can get some hens come spring.
My head is spinning with all the info! I am hoping you can advise me and steer me in the right direction. Things that need attention are:
The floor: it's a clay soil that previously washed out from some gutter issues. The gutters are in the process of being replaced/rerouted. Stay with dirt? Install a floor?
The walls: I have access to used decking boards, so was going to basically line the inside with them to seal up holes and gaps. One wall is nothing but chicken wire...it needs to be a wall. I am thinking about making some kind of top-hinged window that I prop open for a 'roof' on nice days. The space on top that is chicken-wired off will be removed and fixed. The coop is an add-on and has other buildings attached on 2 sides, so window/ventilation placement may be tricky?
The door: yeah....it's chicken wire. Replacing.
The ceiling: Leaky old metal roof. I have read the threads about condensation and yes, it drips as well as leaks.
Boxes/perches: Ok or not?
Other random comments: It has electric ran inside. Their pen will be off the side that currently is chicken wire. Not looking to have more than 6 birds.
Your opinions/ideas are most welcome!

Pictures coming next...

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

If you want chickens.... I know of a few hundred thousand users who could advise - and convince - you to get some and how to do it....

I have a deep litter coop with a dirt floor. Deep litter is where you add shavings and leaves and any other sort of bedding. You don't clean it out for a month or two. It's a lot of work when you do, but saves you the time of having to clean it out as often as a normal coop. I have no clue how a floor would work with deep bedding. This is just my experience and it has worked well for me.

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! If you are planning on 6 chickens, the first thing I would recommend is to plan space for 12. General rule of thumb is 4 SF per bird floor space, not including nest boxes. Yes you need nest boxes, approx 1 for every 2 or 3 chickens. Windows should not open and blow a wind directly on the roosting bar, and you need a lot of cross ventilation. A lot of coop designs include long narrow openings under the eaves covered with hardware cloth. I would put in a floor and use linoleum for a finish for easy cleaning. I love the poop boards people are putting under the roosts.

We are also building a new coop so these are some of the best ideas people have given me. Good luck with yours! And yes, pictures please!

 

[aart]

My head is spinning with all the info!

Yes!
It's like getting a sip of water out of a fire hose...in the winter.

Let's start with some dimensions and lots of pics, inside and out.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @HenRae
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[HenRae]

I recently bought an old fixer upper property in SE Ohio that includes an old abandoned coop. I have been reading up trying to learn from you all so I can get some hens come spring.
My head is spinning with all the info! I am hoping you can advise me and steer me in the right direction. Things that need attention are:
The floor: it's a clay soil that previously washed out from some gutter issues. The gutters are in the process of being replaced/rerouted. Stay with dirt? Install a floor?
The walls: I have access to used decking boards, so was going to basically line the inside with them to seal up holes and gaps. One wall is nothing but chicken wire...it needs to be a wall. I am thinking about making some kind of top-hinged window that I prop open for a 'roof' on nice days. The space on top that is chicken-wired off will be removed and fixed. The coop is an add-on and has other buildings attached on 2 sides, so window/ventilation placement may be tricky?
The door: yeah....it's chicken wire. Replacing.
The ceiling: Leaky old metal roof. I have read the threads about condensation and yes, it drips as well as leaks.
Boxes/perches: Ok or not?
Other random comments: It has electric ran inside. Their pen will be off the side that currently is chicken wire. Not looking to have more than 6 birds.
Your opinions/ideas are most welcome!

Pictures coming next...

Yes!
It's like getting a sip of water out of a fire hose...in the winter.

Let's start with some dimensions and lots of pics, inside and out.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @HenRae
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1984727

Yes!
It's like getting a sip of water out of a fire hose...in the winter.

Let's start with some dimensions and lots of pics, inside and out.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @HenRae
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1984727

Yes!
It's like getting a sip of water out of a fire hose...in the winter.

Let's start with some dimensions and lots of pics, inside and out.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @HenRae
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1984727

Southeast

 

[HenRae]

uggh. You can tell I'm new. Hang on..sorry for duplicate pictures...

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

uggh. You can tell I'm new. Hang on..sorry for duplicate pictures...

Happens to everyone. Don't worry about it.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
If it's actually not rotting out, it's a good start. Fix the drainage issues, and either pour a concrete floor, or set up a dig proof predator barrier around the structure.
Having an open front is a good thing, especially facing south (or leeward). It needs to be way safer, as secured with hardware cloth and woven wire, not chicken wire, but it's a good thing. In winter, some plastic sheeting along the lower six feet or so will do well there.
Consider adding siding to the outside, not the interior, for more security and better looks.
And fix/ replace the leaking roof!
Dimensions? Space for an enclosed run?
Spending money on predator proofing and drainage will PAY OFF!!!
Mary

 

[ValerieJ]

That looks like a good start to a coop. You have gotten some good advice here too. Hope you'll keep us posted on the progress.

 

[HenRae]

It's actually just a mess, not a rotted mess, lol. I wondered about concrete. Would solve the issue of having to predator proof the sides that aren't outside. The open side does face south. That is where we are putting their pen. The chicken wire is useless...there are huge holes where dogs or something got in. Thanks for input!!