Remodeling an existing wooden shed

[k9grammy]

I have an 8' x8' cedar shed which has been a tool shed, garden shed and at one time a chicken shed. When I used it as a chicken shed, I had a horrible problem with rats under it. So the chickens were moved and eventually discontinued. Now I want to have chickens again. The problem I have is the cedar shed's floor has holes in it AND it was never put on any kind of foundation and so the front is sinking. I've notice most of the chicken shed designs have the sheds raised off the ground. I'm thinking if I take out the existing flooring, raise the whole building and then put in new floor, it might work for the chickens. I'm a bit long in the tooth (78), so I'm not up to major building projects, however I do have several willing helpers if I come up with a decent plan.
So, my question is...how far off the ground should this shed be to decrease the rat problem? any suggestions?

 

[imnukensc]

Tough question to answer. The problem with rats is they can climb quite well so it may not be a problem of how high it needs to be, but instead one of how rat proof you can make it and how well you can control future rat infestations. Be that as it may and assuming the whole floor structure is not rotted out to the point that it would just be better to start over from scratch, I'd put it up at least a foot.

 

[Ted Brown]

Rats are excellent climbers so height off the ground is not a solution. Any height off the ground can reduce the "attractiveness" of the under shed location but if food is available the problem will continue. Eliminating food (the primary thing that attracts rats) by not feeding in the coop, storing food in closed metal containers, etc. should be a primary method to reduce rat infestations. Poison and appropriate containers (chicken proof) is an alternative in combination with eliminating food sources.

Deterring (not eliminating) rats can be done through use of metal (hardware cloth, sheet metal between the shed and ground supports, etc.). A sound shed structure is needed, adding anything to a poor structure is a waste of time.

Regarding removing a floor and replacing it: most structures are built on the floor structure so removing a floor is not easy. If your problem is just holes your easiest approach is to overlay with wood or some other material; just ensure that rot is not present as that will transfer to new materials.

 

[The Lazy L]

I have an 8' x8' cedar shed...the problem I have is the cedar shed's floor has holes in it AND it was never put on any kind of foundation and so the front is sinking...

If the shed was mine:

Sinking. Dig a hole under the front wall. Stick one end of a 4"x4"x10' (lever) into the dug hole. Place a fulcrum under the pole as close to the shed as you can. Have a Helper push down on the other end of the lever to raise the front of the shed. Place patio paver blocks under the shed to the height needed to level the shed. Repeat as needed along the front of the shed.

Rats. Cover the entire shed floor with 19 gauge 1/2" hardware cloth, lightly tack in place. On top of the hardware cloth lay and screw 1/2" exterior grade plywood. Hardware cloth keeps the rats from chewing new holes in the 1/2" plywood.

 

[chickens really]

Is it possible to get pallets and then cover with plywood to build your floor? Vinyl flooring over that?

 

[aart]

Pics would help here.
Saving it or starting over depends on the condition of the rest of the structure, and the skill of your helpers.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!

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[k9grammy]

I am in Northwest Washington not too far from the Canadian border. I've decided not to use the cedar shed for my coop after all, but do want to keep using it as my garden shed. Thanks for how to prop it back up! It does have some advantages over the plastic shed that is my other option (better light, better ventilation and wooden walls that I can nail things to, but the plastic shed is in a better location for where I want my chicken yard to be. Since there is still patches of snow on the ground and the most things are still frozen, I have time to sit here looking out the window and changing my mind each day.
The plastic shed is sitting on a concrete slab. It is surrounded by bushes that the chickens I had before love. It is closer to the electrical outlet.
Maybe by the time February is through with us I will have made a rational decision. Can't get my chicks until I can get the brooder down from the old barn which can't happen until I can get my truck out of the barn. Maybe next week?????