Second floor of garage into a coop

[Scubamama]

Has anyone else turned the second story of their garage into a coop for single or mixed species? That seems to be our most logical option at the moment with the exception of no directly attached run unless we do a little modifying (we free range anyway.) And making it easier for them to get down a full flight of steps. Even with ramps I think it’d need to be staged so it isn’t such a trek for either the chickens or especially the ducks. We can safely block off access for them from the main garage.

 

[DobieLover]

Has anyone else turned the second story of their garage into a coop for single or mixed species? That seems to be our most logical option at the moment with the exception of no directly attached run unless we do a little modifying (we free range anyway.) And making it easier for them to get down a full flight of steps. Even with ramps I think it’d need to be staged so it isn’t such a trek for either the chickens or especially the ducks. We can safely block off access for them from the main garage.

How will you clean it out?
How will you haul supplies up there?
You will have to climb up there to retrieve eggs.
How much ventilation is up there?
Your garage will smell like a chicken coop.
I personally would not do it. Too much work.

 

[Scubamama]

It’s a 2 car garage and the second floor is missing less 10 sq ft due to the stairs. The outside dimensions are 27’x19’ giving me about 500 sq ft with full 8 ft ceilings!!! It has a solid wood plank floor that’s painted and we plan on dividing the ducks from the chickens with fencing, at minimum, something more substantial if necessary. The chicken area will have poop catchers so it shouldn’t be as bad though they’re not terrible. I use lighter amounts of bedding with my ducks though I will be testing out different materials etc. I planned on creating a storage area for their supplies and we have the ability to pull up a hose for watering and cleaning. Since there’s so much space, I also want to create a specific brooding enclosure and some areas to be able to do planting and growing yeqr

There are a couple of windows up there (one that is currently missing so can be replaced with what works best for me) and that happens to be directly over our compost pile. And it’s a large opening so I’ll have no problem just heave-hoing right out the window into the pile .

We’re installing electricity either way so will be able to keep it comfortable and lit. Yes, well choose a safe source for heat . And most importantly, we don’t use the garage for much of anything besides storing stuff we need to pass on and occasionally pulling a car in for repairs. We live in an end unit town home but are fortunate enough to have a multiple lot and 1/4 acre of straight yard. The garage is down a concrete path into the alley behind our house so we always park out front. So little concern for smell, but we will be putting a door up anyway, where there are stairs that go down to the main garage to protect the birds with the side effect of reducing smell.

All in all it will be a lot cheaper than building a huge building from scratch. And may actually be easier in a lot of respects. Just out biggest obstacle is the full flight of fairly steep stairs that I have to create a safe ramp or some sort of way for the ducks to get up and down without undue strain or any injuries. If we can’t make it work with them, then we’ll just build a little duck hut. Lots easier than building a large shed type combo
duck and chicken coop. IMO anyway lol.

It’s just those issues of the ascent/descent for the ducks as well as if I need to do something for a run for them. We don’t use one now, but I’m trying to plan if we go away at all and a sitter isn’t comfortable with free range. I don’t even really have a problem with putting a kiddy pool up there except I do want them to come out lol.

Based on my overly lengthy description , has your thought changed at all? Any ideas for a ramp?

 

[BabasCoop]

I would worry about heat. We had a storage space above our garage and in the summer it would get extremely hot!

 

[tralfaz]

most attic spaces really heat up in the summers and lack air flow and proper venting for chickens. What are the temps there in July and August? Is it possible to just add a coop on the ground level and use the upstairs for supplies and brooding/isolation

 

[Acre4Me]

Tell us more about your climate.

Do you already have chickens and/or ducks?

Have you ever raised poultry before?

 

[Scubamama]

We do temperatures of both extremes but the attic of the garage is well protected from the weather and does have electricity and working windows so the climate can be controlled as naturally or as artificially as needed.

 

[3KillerBs]

In addition to the difficulty of properly venting that type of space, I would be concerned about a toxic dust composed of dust from the bedding, dust from the feathers, and dust from the dried poop infiltrating every crack and crevice and sifting down into the garage.

Wood plank floor is not watertight and if it's not watertight it's not tight against that kind of dust particle. Consider what you'd be breathing every time you went into your garage.

 

[aart]

In addition to the difficulty of properly venting that type of space, I would be concerned about a toxic dust composed of dust from the bedding, dust from the feathers, and dust from the dried poop infiltrating every crack and crevice and sifting down into the garage.

Not to mention exhaust from gas powered vehicles going up into 'coop'.

climate can be controlled as naturally or as artificially...

Meaning?

Would help to see pics of this structure inside and out...for better assessment and suggestions.
Also.....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, and then it's always there!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I also would be concerned about your idea of running water up there... I've had water damage in the house, it's not pretty.