Shed to coop advice?

[Cat R]

I'm looking to get a Arrow 10-ft x 14-ft Lexington Galvanized Steel Storage Shed and I would like to turn it into a great guinea coop. The plan is to have them go up at night, and free-range during the day.

What are your coop must-haves? What changes need to be made to chicken coop advice/plans?

I know one change is guineas shouldn't have ladder-style perches and are happier if there's lots of perches up high, like rafters. I keep seeing things saying 2x4s are good, do they sit on the 2 or the 4?

Do they absolutely need a pop door or can I just open up the main door for them? I know they're unlikely to use a nest box, but are there simple plans for one? Or can you buy premade ones?

What are your coop must-haves, don't needs, or things you wish you'd known before setting up a coop?

 

[R2elk]

I'm looking to get a Arrow 10-ft x 14-ft Lexington Galvanized Steel Storage Shed and I would like to turn it into a great guinea coop. The plan is to have them go up at night, and free-range during the day.

What are your coop must-haves? What changes need to be made to chicken coop advice/plans?

I know one change is guineas shouldn't have ladder-style perches and are happier if there's lots of perches up high, like rafters. I keep seeing things saying 2x4s are good, do they sit on the 2 or the 4?

Do they absolutely need a pop door or can I just open up the main door for them? I know they're unlikely to use a nest box, but are there simple plans for one? Or can you buy premade ones?

What are your coop must-haves, don't needs, or things you wish you'd known before setting up a coop?

My Guinea Coop

2" x 4"s with the 4" side makes it easier for them to sit on their feet and prevent frostbite. That said mine sit on the 2" side without any issues.

Ventilation is critical. The type shed you are considering was not built with ventilation in mind. I have two windows that are kept cracked open from fall through spring. They are wide open during the summer. From fall through spring the pop door is their entrance and exit. During the summer, the walk through door is propped open all day. Surprisingly it is easier to herd them through the pop door than the walk door. One determined male standing in the middle of the walk door deters lower ranking members from trying to enter.

One of the easiest set ups for coop nesting areas is hay or straw bales set up in such a manner to provide hidden nest areas.

My guineas do love their skylight.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I'm looking to get a Arrow 10-ft x 14-ft Lexington Galvanized Steel Storage Shed and I would like to turn it into a great guinea coop. The plan is to have them go up at night, and free-range during the day.

What are your coop must-haves? What changes need to be made to chicken coop advice/plans?

I know one change is guineas shouldn't have ladder-style perches and are happier if there's lots of perches up high, like rafters. I keep seeing things saying 2x4s are good, do they sit on the 2 or the 4?

Do they absolutely need a pop door or can I just open up the main door for them? I know they're unlikely to use a nest box, but are there simple plans for one? Or can you buy premade ones?

What are your coop must-haves, don't needs, or things you wish you'd known before setting up a coop?

My first coop was a 8 x 16 wooden shed converted to a coop. Second coop for guineas is. 8 x 16 cattle panel coop. Where are you located and what are your weather challenges? We mostly deal with heat in Oklahoma, but also had a big cold spell last winter… I tried to set both coops up for the heat by making one end “open”, with just hardware cloth. I also added windows to the shed coop and another open upper end to the newer coop. Despite these, ventilation continues to be a problem for me. I don’t know that a metal coop would fare well here due to the baking summer heat.

As for roosts, I use a 2 x 4 with its long side up. I use an automatic pop door so they will be securely locked in if I’m out of town or home late from work.

 

[Cat R]

My first coop was a 8 x 16 wooden shed converted to a coop. Second coop for guineas is. 8 x 16 cattle panel coop. Where are you located and what are your weather challenges? We mostly deal with heat in Oklahoma, but also had a big cold spell last winter… I tried to set both coops up for the heat by making one end “open”, with just hardware cloth. I also added windows to the shed coop and another open upper end to the newer coop. Despite these, ventilation continues to be a problem for me. I don’t know that a metal coop would fare well here due to the baking summer heat.

As for roosts, I use a 2 x 4 with its long side up. I use an automatic pop door so they will be securely locked in if I’m out of town or home late from work.

I'm in NC so I know I'll be adding a ton of ventilation. I also have a nice spot picked out where it stays shaded all day long by the trees in the spring and summer. It does mean I'm limited on any solar fans as they don't work well in the shade, but that seems a good tradeoff. My thought is also that it's easier to cut windows and vent holes in a sturdy structure than it is to try and predator-proof a flimsy one.

I'm also a little anxious, so I'll probably get a remote temperature monitoring system for in there. I have snakes as pets, and I have an alarm system in with them that will go off if they get outside of the safe zone. I've known too many people who've had thermostats or heating elements fail.

 

[Cat R]

My Guinea Coop

2" x 4"s with the 4" side makes it easier for them to sit on their feet and prevent frostbite. That said mine sit on the 2" side without any issues.

Ventilation is critical. The type shed you are considering was not built with ventilation in mind. I have two windows that are kept cracked open from fall through spring. They are wide open during the summer. From fall through spring the pop door is their entrance and exit. During the summer, the walk through door is propped open all day. Surprisingly it is easier to herd them through the pop door than the walk door. One determined male standing in the middle of the walk door deters lower ranking members from trying to enter.

One of the easiest set ups for coop nesting areas is hay or straw bales set up in such a manner to provide hidden nest areas.

My guineas do love their skylight.

That's good to know about the pop door making it easier to herd them up! I know I'll be adding shed windows, vents, and roof ventilation. And the coop will be shaded all spring and summer.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I'm in NC so I know I'll be adding a ton of ventilation. I also have a nice spot picked out where it stays shaded all day long by the trees in the spring and summer. It does mean I'm limited on any solar fans as they don't work well in the shade, but that seems a good tradeoff. My thought is also that it's easier to cut windows and vent holes in a sturdy structure than it is to try and predator-proof a flimsy one.

I'm also a little anxious, so I'll probably get a remote temperature monitoring system for in there. I have snakes as pets, and I have an alarm system in with them that will go off if they get outside of the safe zone. I've known too many people who've had thermostats or heating elements fail.

Oh I would love a solar fan! What model so you have? It sounds like you already have a good plan for what you are doing.