Shed --> Coop Conversion Build Thread

[alleyboballey]

My fiance and I decided to get chickens and didn't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on building a new coop. We mulled over the option of the small coops for sale at Wilco and thought about building something small but I didn't want my ladies in a small cramped area. We thought for awhile and decided, why not turn half of our ginormous shed into a coop?! Brilliant. This shed is a whopping 10x10 and to be honest, we don't store that much in there. We got our chicks, and started our coop!!


Insulation was really important to us, since in Oregon our winters can get chilly.




That plywood on the right is part of the wall that will seperate the coop from the shed


The run begins!








Inside the coop


We built the bottom door with plywood and the frame of the top door with 1x2s, then stapled chicken wire


On the backside of the top door we put duct tape over the exposed wire


Door holes to begin cutting the door!




We built them a mini deck

Our door! We got it at our local Habitat For Humanity Restore!!


It's magnificent!



Next we have to finish our roof. We're doing that metal corrugated roofing! I hope it looks good!

It's still a work in progress but it's way less then what we would've spent on a brand new coop!

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Looking really good, I like your dutch door. I'm doing something similar with an 8x8 shed, converting it into a breeder coop with a brooder section and run.

 

[alleyboballey]

Looking really good, I like your dutch door. I'm doing something similar with an 8x8 shed, converting it into a breeder coop with a brooder section and run.

Thanks! We're pretty proud! Good luck with your shed conversion, it's much easier then I thought it would be. I'm only worried about critters getting under the run. But I figured I'd place some cinder blocks an inch into the dirt around the run. Anyone else have some critter proofing ideas? Since our frame is already built, we can't really bury it a couple inches into the ground.

 

[aart]

Thanks! We're pretty proud! Good luck with your shed conversion, it's much easier then I thought it would be. I'm only worried about critters getting under the run. But I figured I'd place some cinder blocks an inch into the dirt around the run. Anyone else have some critter proofing ideas? Since our frame is already built, we can't really bury it a couple inches into the ground.

They'll laugh at one inch and go right under it. You can put some more mesh down from the bottom of the walls about 18" out into the yard, pin it down and let the grass grow thru, this will frustrate their digging. They dig down a long ways but won't back up to try again when they hit the mesh.

Dogs and raccoons will go right thru that chicken wire, put 1/2"x1/2" hardware cloth fastened with poultry staples or large washered screws on that dutch door top and any other ventilation opening on the coop. Use padlock latches at each corner of doors with caribiners in place of padlocks to foil raccoons.

Do a search on 'predator proofing'.
Spend some time reading here https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests


Nice setup!

 

[ECBW]

You can line the perimeter of the run with heavey stones. I use concrete pavers. It also makes nice walk path and keep the area from wearing out and turn muddy in the rain.

 

[canesisters]

GREAT JOB!

It looks wonderful.
What kinds of chickens did you get?

 

[Breella]

More photos of the inside?

 

[alleyboballey]

Thanks everyone! It really means a lot! No one that we know has chickens so this is our only source of information!
We will be definitely be predator proofing the run soon. I didn't know that some animals could be so relentless! The more advice the better for us!
And this weekend we will probably put down the flooring in the coop and hopefully some roosts!
We have 3 buff orpingtons and 4 rhode island reds. They are getting so big so fast! I love them! One of the ladies has even started dust bathing and it is the cutest thing ever. They all have such distinct personalities.
More pictures coming soon!

 

[littlecritters]

Congratulations...Great job! Your fiancé is a keeper! Think about adding a poop board inside with PDZ as " litter". There is an excellent thread here on BYC with pics and ideas on how to implement. We made our poop board waist height and I try to scoop the poo daily. It only takes a few minutes with a sifter or kitty scooper. PDZ either completely eliminates odors or keeps them to a minimum.

 

[Trefoil]

Very nice. To keep coons out you will need to run at least 2' high of hardware cloth over the poultry mesh. Secure it very well. Coons can get their "hands" through poultry wire and for some reason chickens are so curious they tend to come close enough to the wire that coons will grab them through the wire and kill them. Also be aware that humidity is more dangerous to poultry than cold, your coop will need lots of ventilation,up high so there is no breeze on the chickens.