Shed to Coop... Thoughts, ideas, Advice??

[HurricaneAshley]

I found a tin shed on Craigslist for free AMD it's in decent shape. The outside needs more "fixing" than inside. I'm torn between half shed half coop or just going full coop as I'm sure I will need it sooner than later. It is 10x8 and my husband thinks it will be impossible to frame out for structural integrity. I do not. Let me know what you think. If anyone has made this conversion please share your pictures.

 

[pibb]

I have one of those sheds that I brood in. As you can see in the pic it is basically impossible to keep a good floor in it. It always rots out. Maybe not with marine grade plywood, not sure, that stuff is expensive. If my spot was kind of level and wanted to make it a coop I would do a run of block and use a dirt floor instead of framing up a plywood floor. You would have a hard time storing things in it like that though since you would have to physically pick the items up over the threshold to get them in the building.

If the building is in the shade it stays pretty close to ambient temps but when the sunshine hits the building, it heats up like a tin can and pretty quickly. As long as you can leave a door open and/or provide more ventilation or use shade, you should be able to use it as a coop.

 

[Jules1349]

I found a tin shed on Craigslist for free AMD it's in decent shape. The outside needs more "fixing" than inside. I'm torn between half shed half coop or just going full coop as I'm sure I will need it sooner than later. It is 10x8 and my husband thinks it will be impossible to frame out for structural integrity. I do not. Let me know what you think. If anyone has made this conversion please share your pictures. View attachment 1730009 View attachment 1730011 View attachment 1730012

 

[Peppercorngal]

Have you moved the shed already? Is it where you want it? No reason why you can't use it for a coop in my opinion. I see the biggest issues as 1. whether it's rainproof (if not, you do not want it) and 2. how to provide ventilation and 3. secure it from predators. I'd suggest using the entire thing as a coop. Put in freestanding nesting boxes and some roosts and you got it! You husband probably doesn't like it because it's not good lookin, but believe me, the chickens won't care! Good luck!

 

[BullChick]

I cannot offer photos since I’ve not done it yet. I have a 12x12 and multiple other coops already, but it’s sooo tempting!!
My buildings all sit on cement pads. I guess it’s as simple as nailing together a bunch of 2 x 4S, and adding the cement. Then remove the wood.
Good luck!

 

[aart]

and my husband thinks it will be impossible to frame out for structural integrity. I do not.

Metal can be harder to deal with than wood.
How handy are you...any experience working with metal?

First thing is making sure the roof is water tight.
Standing the shed when it's pouring rain and watch for leaks.

Also.....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[BReeder!]

Check out my article on building our coop into our shed. Click "My Coop" under my picture to the left.

 

[bald Rooster]

I have one of those sheds that I brood in. As you can see in the pic it is basically impossible to keep a good floor in it. It always rots out. Maybe not with marine grade plywood, not sure, that stuff is expensive. If my spot was kind of level and wanted to make it a coop I would do a run of block and use a dirt floor instead of framing up a plywood floor. You would have a hard time storing things in it like that though since you would have to physically pick the items up over the threshold to get them in the building.

If the building is in the shade it stays pretty close to ambient temps but when the sunshine hits the building, it heats up like a tin can and pretty quickly. As long as you can leave a door open and/or provide more ventilation or use shade, you should be able to use it as a coop.

rubber mats or something like linoleum might help, and make it easy to clean.

 

[bald Rooster]

I see from your grass and trees you are in the south.
Your tin shed needs to be shaded in the afternoon. It also needs vents. or it will be horrible hot in the summer. Your eggs may be precooked when you get them.
Also you need a window or two. your birds need light.
Rebuild door to open out with windows!
Did I say lots of ventilation !
Chicken math gets us all, make the whole shed your coop.
I would also recommend adding a few boards to inside walls, screwing the outside tin to them, and attaching the whole thing to the ground with post or something.
Enjoy chickens!

 

[BReeder!]

I found a tin shed on Craigslist for free AMD it's in decent shape. The outside needs more "fixing" than inside. I'm torn between half shed half coop or just going full coop as I'm sure I will need it sooner than later. It is 10x8 and my husband thinks it will be impossible to frame out for structural integrity. I do not. Let me know what you think. If anyone has made this conversion please share your pictures. View attachment 1730009 View attachment 1730011 View attachment 1730012

For structural integrity, frame out the walls on the inside with 2x4s. I would run 2x6 rafters inside the roof as well. Essentially you are framing a shed inside existing siding.
If the financial investment to do all the framing is too much, consider at least bracing all the corners with some 2x4s. This would work well if snow load and heavy winds are not an issue where you are.
I'll second what @bald Rooster is saying about ventilation and windows. A shed will get hot in the summer. Probably at least 20 degrees hotter in the shed than outside when the sun is out. Chickens do not fair well in the heat. Some large holes covered with a vent (pick up some cheap large screw in type vent covers from a big box home improvement stores). I would run ventilation all along the sides just under the small eaves you have. Cut a window opening in the back and either frame it out to install a prefabricated window or built one that can open (ideally outward on an upward angle to keep rain form coming in when it's open).
Best of luck!