Shed Coop Idea

[Ridgerunner]

Metal sheds are all over. They can get hot but don't have to.

One huge part of it is ventilation. Hot air rises. If you have openings up high to let out hot air and an opening down low to let in cooler air in they can stay surprisingly cool. That shed doesn't look like it has much ventilation, just those two little grids. I don't know if you are north or south of the equator so I don't know which sides work best for you but I'd want the ventilation that let cool air in on the non-sunny side. I can't see a ridge vent. Since they don't mention one they probably do not have one. There is not much overhang to protect areas from rainwater blowing in if you add more ventilation up high.

Color makes a difference. Dark colors absorb heat, light colors reflect it.

Do the wind resistance and snow load suit your area?

Wind Resistance: Up to Grade 6 (24-30 mph), Snow Load Capacity: Up to 6 inches

Metal is harder to attach things to. Thin wooden paneling can be a challenge also. For either, I make a sandwich around the sheet metal or paneling, put a strip of wood on the outside and inside and then screw them together. That's whether I'm cutting an opening for a pop door or attaching a roost support.

Nests can become ovens if you attach them on the sunny side, especially if the coop wall is one side of the nest. I make my nests well ventilated (openings up high) and put them on the non-sunny side of the coop. I don't worry about the roosts that much with good ventilation since the sun is going down when they go to bed and they are not right up against the wall anyway.

It helps with any coop to have it in the shade of course, especially in the hottest parts of the day.

For only four chickens that 4' x 6' coop exceeds the general recommendations of this forum but it doesn't give you much room to work in there. If you plan on more chickens in the future I'd build to that number. I understand bigger means it costs more but I really like having extra space for the chickens and for me. I consider me important also.

 

[IceStorm]

I have to agree with the others - wood is the way to go when you need to make modifications (which you will with any pre-built building). Have you searched on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for wooden sheds?

Also, where in general are you located?

I have been looking! I need to look on craigslist still. We're around Eastern CO.

 

[IceStorm]

Metal sheds are all over. They can get hot but don't have to.

One huge part of it is ventilation. Hot air rises. If you have openings up high to let out hot air and an opening down low to let in cooler air in they can stay surprisingly cool. That shed doesn't look like it has much ventilation, just those two little grids. I don't know if you are north or south of the equator so I don't know which sides work best for you but I'd want the ventilation that let cool air in on the non-sunny side. I can't see a ridge vent. Since they don't mention one they probably do not have one. There is not much overhang to protect areas from rainwater blowing in if you add more ventilation up high.

Color makes a difference. Dark colors absorb heat, light colors reflect it.

Do the wind resistance and snow load suit your area?

Wind Resistance: Up to Grade 6 (24-30 mph), Snow Load Capacity: Up to 6 inches

Metal is harder to attach things to. Thin wooden paneling can be a challenge also. For either, I make a sandwich around the sheet metal or paneling, put a strip of wood on the outside and inside and then screw them together. That's whether I'm cutting an opening for a pop door or attaching a roost support.

Nests can become ovens if you attach them on the sunny side, especially if the coop wall is one side of the nest. I make my nests well ventilated (openings up high) and put them on the non-sunny side of the coop. I don't worry about the roosts that much with good ventilation since the sun is going down when they go to bed and they are not right up against the wall anyway.

It helps with any coop to have it in the shade of course, especially in the hottest parts of the day.

For only four chickens that 4' x 6' coop exceeds the general recommendations of this forum but it doesn't give you much room to work in there. If you plan on more chickens in the future I'd build to that number. I understand bigger means it costs more but I really like having extra space for the chickens and for me. I consider me important also.

Thank you for all of this info! I'm going to pass this along to hubby, he's the mastermind behind this particular operation.

 

[NatJ]

I've seen those! I just dont really understand, they dont have a place for the chickens to roost and nest? At least the ones ive seen?

For roosts, you can run a board across the hoop coop from one side to the other. The chickens are happy to roost on that.

For nests, some people hang them on the side or end of the coop, others make a nestbox that sits on the floor (wood box, bucket, many other options: chickens aren't too picky.)

also how do they keep them warm in the winter? cause our winters our pretty cold here (not the coldest). I'd have to look into it more.

How cold do your winters get?

Chickens do fine down past freezing, as long as they have a roosting place that is out of direct wind (put tarps on the appropriate sides or parts of sides of the hoop coop, based on where your wind usually comes from.)

If you have enough ventilation that ammonia and humidity are removed, the coop will usually be close to the outdoor temperature anyway, no matter what materials you build it from.

I would generally worry about snow load (support the middle of the roof, or build a different style entirely) before I would worry about the temperature.

 

[BDutch]

I've seen those! I just dont really understand, they dont have a place for the chickens to roost and nest? At least the ones ive seen? also how do they keep them warm in the winter? cause our winters our pretty cold here (not the coldest). I'd have to look into it more.

Here’s one with a real coop in it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ms-biddys-cattle-panel-hoop-coop.73755/

I suppose its not easy to make as I thought it was. Rebuilding a wooden shed is probably a lot easier.
I have no walk in coop myself but rebuild a children’s playhouse for my bantams. For me and my chickens this is fine bc we have a mild climate.

 

[NatJ]

Here’s one with a real coop in it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ms-biddys-cattle-panel-hoop-coop.73755/

I suppose its not easy to make as I thought it was.

Here is one without a separate coop portion:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/
In the first picture, with the tarp, it would work for winter in some climates. For any place that gets large amounts of snow, I would probably add a supporting board along the top, maybe resting on top of the doorframe at one end and the matching frame at the other end.

The article shows various pictures of building it, using it, modifying it, and so forth. In some pictures, I see boards across it that could serve as roosts. I don't notice any nestboxes, but it wouldn't be too hard to add some.

Many people do build a coop and a run as separate spaces, but the chickens don't really care whether they have one space or two, provided it meets their needs at the time. It is possible to build one roofed structure big enough to be a "run," with walls of wire mesh, and have the chickens live in it happily in summer. When winter comes, cover most of the walls, and the chickens can be happy through that season too. Covering walls can be done with tarps, clear plastic, solid panels, etc. It's best to have some clear areas to allow light, but not so much it heats up like a greenhouse and becomes too hot. Be sure to leave some spaces open for ventilation, even in the coldest of weather.

Alternately, if you do build a coop with solid walls, plan ahead for summer. You can make sections that come off to allow more ventilation, or solid doors that get replaced by wire mesh doors, or any other way to allow extra airflow. In winter the chickens need to be able to roost in a place sheltered from drafts, but in the heat of summer they may prefer to have a nice breeze blowing directly on the roost to cool them off. Or you could put a roost in the run too, and let the chickens sleep there during the summer.

Rebuilding a wooden shed is probably a lot easier.

You are probably right

 

[Blairsey425]

I have used the same/similar shed, we are in Washington state and even on our hottest days in the summer (90-100ish) it hasn't gotten too bad and when it is warm the chickens choose to be out in their run/the yard. We do add a couple of heat lamps in the winter since it doesn't hold heat well. *edit* the one that we have has a lot of spacing and gaps that allow for ventilation just because of the way it is made, we do keep a tarp over the roof as well because it wasn't completely water tight and we would have small damp spots.

 

[chickenana707]

I was thinking of getting one of these sheds or something similar, putting in nesting boxes, perches, etc. Our flock is only 4 chickens right now, so this would be more than enough space compared to the coops we were originally looking into. They will also have access to a run as well.
I'm just wondering if y'all have any thoughts or ideas on how to make sure it doesn't become a furnace in the summer?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DS5KNKR8?smid=AK3HFKOE4GXIL&th=1

I briefly looking into the shed idea too after many on here recommended it. Then I realized that most wooden sheds that would be acceptable are $1500 even on marketplace people are reselling their used wooden sheds for more then I think is worth it Togo that route. I think of you can find a wooden shed at the right price it could be worth it… but at $1000+ May as well find a coop plan on Etsy and buy the materials and build it yourself

 

[IceStorm]

I briefly looking into the shed idea too after many on here recommended it. Then I realized that most wooden sheds that would be acceptable are $1500 even on marketplace people are reselling their used wooden sheds for more then I think is worth it Togo that route. I think of you can find a wooden shed at the right price it could be worth it… but at $1000+ May as well find a coop plan on Etsy and buy the materials and build it yourself

Yes that's the current problem, spending 1k+ on a wooden shed just isn't an option for us at this point in time. Someday yes, once we upgrade our flock and space! But for right now, we will make do with what we can and make sure they're comfortable and happy to the best of our abilities If people can put chickens in hoop coops with no heat source and minimal protection from the elements, I think perhaps the route we are going should be just fine, so long as we can figure out a good ventilation system!

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I've also looked into metal sheds to use for coops, and have seen plenty of reviewers lose their sheds to winds. So if you're in a windy area, that'll be a consideration for making it safe for animals.