Rehabing an old coop: need encouragement, advice!

[North Casceggs]

We recently moved to a place that has a very old coop on the property. It hasn't held chickens in years and there is no run. DH thinks the coop can be rehabed since structurally it's decent, but I'm feeling a bit daunted by the task. Part of me just wants to build something mobile, since we are only renting, and will probably be moving in the next 1-3 years. I could sure use some encouragement and advice if you have some to offer.

Here's what we're looking at:

View from the front. Lousy door.

This is the interior. A lot of daylight coming through. There was a HUGE mouse nest up in the ceiling between the roof and the insulation. I pulled down a chunk and ran like crazy to escape the millions of pieces of mouse poop that rained down. You can see it in the pic. What a mess.

The floor is plywood; there's a hole in it. We are planning on putting new plywood down over the existing floor, and boarding up all the cracks you see on the wall.

Here's the area I want to convert to a run. I like the idea of the roof over part of it for the winter time. We get a lot of snow.

Another view from the outside, showing the run area and more holes to patch in the coop.

My chicks are 1 week old, so we have a few weeks to do this. We probably have every single predator possible in the area, so it's gonna need to be pretty tight.

 

[Goldenhtr]

Looks like a fun project. Where you at on the sunny side? I'm on the wet side and a cover over part of the run is nice. We would love to move to your side of the mountains, but that thing called work keeps getting in the way. My boys and I do come over the mountains quite a few times to deer hunt and upland hunt so it would be nice to have property over there, we keep looking. Have fun with what ever you guys decide on the coop. Just finished putting in nest boxes for ours yesterday.


Tracy

 

[North Casceggs]

Quote:
We live in the Methow Valley. Great place, but yeah, not much in the way of decent work over here.

 

[cmom]

I think it looks like it's got a lot of potential and a fun project too. I say go for it.

 

[Sissy]

North Cas.
you have found a gold mine. there is so much you can do
with it. and you will have a mini- mansion for your flock
after you are done.
and welcome to Byc..

 

[tomato lady]

Quote:
I agree! Your chickens will love it. And look at that covered run with the bones of it already there! I am excited for you.

 

[North Casceggs]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to go for it, but I think I might pay someone to clean up after the mice. Then I would feel better.

I'll keep you updated as I go!

 

[Davaroo]

Heck, that's nothing - just rehabilitating an existing structure. The thing to do is break it down into sub groups and smaller jobs, all fitting into the big plan. Before long, it'll be done and you'll wonder why you worried.


So go for it, you can handle it, chin up, woohoooo!!

 

[Jodiemama]

It looks great! Go for it!

 

[ecopepper]

Good advice from Davaroo!!! I agree!! It looks like a bit of chicken paradise!!!