Shed to Coop Advice

[Akachicklil]

A hoop coop is an easy build that does especially well in warm climates. You get lots of room for the money and effort. Here are a few examples.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-tractor.69336/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-biddie-bordello-a-hoop-coop-run-combo.72189/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

Wow. People are so creative and crafty. We have so many skilled carpenters here.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Hoop coop?

Sorry I was at work so couldn't respond. @3KillerBs gave a few excellent examples. They are very easy to build and there are enough folks on here with experience we can certainly offer advice if you get stuck.

A hoop coop is an easy build that does especially well in warm climates. You get lots of room for the money and effort. Here are a few examples.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-tractor.69336/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-biddie-bordello-a-hoop-coop-run-combo.72189/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

Thank you for helping out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Now I just need to figure out how tall I should add my hardcloth wire around the parameter of my run….. not sure if I should place hardcloth all over the run where the actual other wire is…. Not sure if that is necessary or cost effective??? I see that most folks place it around their run parameter ??? The bottom half and then put to the sides like a shirt to prevent digging! What do you think? Or should I add hardcloth to the entire unit? I think that’s going to cost me an arm and a leg…. The description says that it comes with PVC coated hexagonal wire mesh safety to your chicken. Everyone I’m sure will say that’s not strong enough.

That's a decision you need to make based on your risk tolerance, budget, types of predators and predator load, etc.

Because I'm usually at home, with the coop and run close to the house (20' from living room) and have a pretty sturdy coop that gets closed up every night, I opted to go with a predator resistant (but not predator proof) run. I have hardware cloth up a few feet and out a few feet to prevent raccoons from reaching in and deter anything from digging in, and netting on top for birds of prey.

 

[Shezadandy]

Bravo! I placed my shed coop idea on hold for now. It’s not going to be possible since I have my laundry machine in the shed, which I will cannot move from the shed. Also I already have a nice size coop. I did think about buying a cute prefabricated shed house from Home Depot and then doing some work to it. But I’m going to pass on that now too. I have decided to buy an enclosed chicken run/ pen with a roof for outdoors and will place my coop inside. Then I will probably add some hardcloth wire to make it more “predator proof” then decorate it with plants etc… it’ is 10' L x 12.5' W x 6.4' H… which is pretty big for my back yard… it will be on the left side of my shed… that way my girls will have lots of fun to play and dance! Thanks for your advice. Now I just need to figure out how tall I should add my hardcloth wire around the parameter of my run….. not sure if I should place hardcloth all over the run where the actual other wire is…. Not sure if that is necessary or cost effective??? I see that most folks place it around their run parameter ??? The bottom half and then put to the sides like a shirt to prevent digging! What do you think? Or should I add hardcloth to the entire unit? I think that’s going to cost me an arm and a leg…. The description says that it comes with PVC coated hexagonal wire mesh safety to your chicken. Everyone I’m sure will say that’s not strong enough.

Here are pics of what the run will look like and pics of how I would incorporate my coop….

So if you're looking to enclose that structure in such a way that will exclude predators, I offer the following:

Use some concrete blocks/bricks to elevate a floor off the ground. Do a wood frame floor with plywood. My own personal trick is covering plywood floor with horse stall mats- either the 3/4" heavy ones or the 1/4" kind you can buy by the foot.

Put hardware cloth between the wood frame for the floor and the plywood decking, screwing it down in between. Continue the HW cloth up to the sidewall. That should help keep that structure predator proof. Then use welded wire from about 3ft on up and over the top, weaving it all together with metal wire. Then apply whatever sort of roofing. (better than doing patchwork stuff later IMHO).

Around the perimeter, I would go 3ft. Look on Amazon for better deals on HW cloth - it ships free so it's worth shopping around, and in my experience arrives pretty fast too! The main thing is to keep all chicken heads on the chickens - too many threads where chickens are found missing their heads along the fence (predators grab them when they stick their heads thru) - and to have something dogs, raccoons and other animals can't chew right thru (i.e. chicken wire- only keeps chickens IN)

 

[Akachicklil]

That's a decision you need to make based on your risk tolerance, budget, types of predators and predator load, etc.

Because I'm usually at home, with the coop and run close to the house (20' from living room) and have a pretty sturdy coop that gets closed up every night, I opted to go with a predator resistant (but not predator proof) run. I have hardware cloth up a few feet and out a few feet to prevent raccoons from reaching in and deter anything from digging in, and netting on top for birds of prey.

Thank you!