Shed-to-coop for my new babies

[clay]

After a Thanksgiving move from Pennsville, NJ to Fort Lupton, CO, we've decided to get some chickens, and of course they'll need a home. Our house has a shed in the back, part of which is workshop/storage, part will be garage, and part is now becoming a coop. The coop part is about 8'x8' inside, and I'm working on a wood floor and a novel flip-up "porch roof" door. Any ideas or suggestions from those (everyone) who know more about this chicken stuff than us?

Thanks all,
Clay
(& DW Shelly, & kids - Nick & Kate, & Cocker Spaniel Charlie, & 8 "as yet unnamed" chicks)

When Spring is closer, the motorcycle is going around into the "garage".

They love that stick. They roost on it, peck at it, jump off of it, and today one of them found a bug in it! What a riot when all eight were fighting over that little bug!

 

[BantyChickMom]

Welcome to BYC.

First of all, I would recommend elevating the floor off the ground, you don't want moisture seeping thru your floor and causing the coop to be damp inside.

AND, make sure it's draft free.

Other that that, throw some bedding, add a few perches and nest box, and you're on your way.

 

[Churkenduse]

I made mine about 3 feet off the ground for three reasons, to keep the coop floor dry, to allow them to cuddle under there in bad weather (they like to be outside all the time) and for me, I can open the door and clean it without stooping.
I also suggest that you cover the floor, I covered my floor with a piece of leftover linoleum that was used in my laundry room. It weeps right out.

Good luck they are adorable.

 

[clay]

Thanks for the welcome. It seems that getting into the chicken thing has put me in with a really good crowd. I've read an awful lot on here and I think I'll always be a novice at this thing, but won't worry as long as there are so many helpful and knowledgeable folks out there.

My biggest concern about this coop has been the floor. The building originally housed horses, then dogs. The dirt floor had huge holes dug in the corners, and in the middle was like hardened concrete. I used a big mattock to break it up and kind of level it out, but I still wasn't happy with it, so I decided to use some of the piles of lumber that the previous homeowner left and build a wood floor. There's a 2x8 across the front and back, spanned by 2x6s on 16inch centers. It's still only a couple of inches from the ground, but around here, it is so dry that people frequently put wood buildings directly on the ground. My sister converted a dirt-floor tack room into a game room for the kids by putting old carpet down, right on the dirt. You would never know to look at it.

Next I'll put plywood flooring down, then finish the front, probably with a window or two above the door (South side). I seem to recall seeing some clearance self-stick tile at HomeDepot . . .

And a question: I have access to one of those big mushroom-shaped rotating roof ventilators. Might it be a good thing on the coop, especially in warm weather?

Thanks all,
Clay
(& DW Shelly, & kids - Nick & Kate, & Cocker Spaniel Charlie, & 8 "as yet unnamed" chicks)

I hope they learn to hold their heads up while roosting, or else I've got some fancy custom building to do in the coop.

 

[AtRendeAcres]

Welcome!!!

your ideas on floor sound Great!

What I suggest before you start figure out exactly what you need or want! & read past post & pictures to get ideas! Have Fun

ease in cleaning
((so maybe you want to put one side on hinges to completely open))

Roost (if possible you want to put wire over: so they can't walk in)
remember you want easy cleaning too! (this is were you will get the most poop)

Do you have to store your chicken stuff (food, DE)) there or do you have a nother location?

you want to think about electric (14 hours light to lay)

access to eggs (do you want to get with out going in coop)