Storage shed as coop?

[Lisawbsn]

Thinking this would be ideal for big girl home. Any thoughts? Big enough for me to hang in with them this winter, plenty of room for days when they can’t go outside due to bead weather, and windows and skylights for light plus screened vents. Any thoughts?

 

[thehenandchick01234]

It looks like it would work. Of course you will need to make some alterations, but I would get it. How much is it?

 

[DobieLover]

Thinking this would be ideal for big girl home. Any thoughts? Big enough for me to hang in with them this winter, plenty of room for days when they can’t go outside due to bead weather, and windows and skylights for light plus screened vents. Any thoughts?

It needs lots of ventilation added and it will work fine.

 

[Lisawbsn]

Thinking this would be ideal for big girl home. Any thoughts? Big enough for me to hang in with them this winter, plenty of room for days when they can’t go outside due to bead weather, and windows and skylights for light plus screened vents. Any thoughts?

Current set-up. I went a bit crazy and got 8 chickens. The enclosure is 8x8 we are going to buy another one and expand it to 8x16 and attach one end to 8 foot end of shed. Ordered auto coop door.

It looks like it would work. Of course you will need to make some alterations, but I would get it. How much is it?

About $1400. Has a floor, windows open will cover with hardware cloth. I think it should be better at staying warm in Illinois winters. I plan on trying deep litter method and use hemp bedding.

 

[Lisawbsn]

It needs lots of ventilation added and it will work fine.

It has a screened vent on each end much more than current coop, husband just put up 10x20 of same brand and style said ventilation up high would be easy to add.

 

[addctd2plnts]

I think a shed is a good idea, if it's insulated, unless you're somewhere moderate in the winter. I've been looking for sheds too, even used ones, and the wooden ones are insanely expensive! Don't know ow many you have but I've got 11 Indian Runners and 7 Call Ducks. I was hoping for a 12' X 16' and to make the actual pen 12' X 12' but have 4 ft of storage space. The biggest issue I worry about isn't the winter cold, it's the brutal summer heat here. I've even been thinking of using a fan in the top vent like we have in our barn, to help suck in the cool air and get rid of the hottest air.

There's a place on youtube called Carolina Coops that has coops to die for. I'm sure they are over 10K, but look like they'd last 30 years or more if cared for. Maybe for my 30th wedding anniversary.....LOL

 

[Chuckie chicken]

That will make a dandy coop. There's a link to my conversion in my profile, it might give you a few ideas.

 

[Lisawbsn]

We were thinking vent fans as well. The chicken area is between our back 6 foot privacy fence and a 90 foot run of arborvitae. Our backyard faces west and is like Death Valley in the summer but this area stays shaded all day. Sunny area only in mornings from about 9-11 then partial sun until about 2. The shed would be in shade most of day in winter the skylights will bring in sunlight. Neighbors fence, same as mine, and big shed will be on north side, about 10-12 feet between the two where the back gate is, west side blocked by evergreens only south side really open. I’m just worried about Chicago area winters.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It has a screened vent on each end much more than current coop, husband just put up 10x20 of same brand and style said ventilation up high would be easy to add.

Aim for at least 1 sq ft of ventilation per bird. The existing vents (assume it's those circles?) is probably under 2 sq ft total.

Winter cold is less issue than summer heat. Healthy adult chickens can endure some pretty extreme temperatures, well below freezing, as long as they have a dry, ventilated-but-draft free place they can stay.

 

[DobieLover]

It has a screened vent on each end much more than current coop, husband just put up 10x20 of same brand and style said ventilation up high would be easy to add.

That's no where near enough. Not even close.
This is a properly ventilated coop:

All the light coming in up high is open year round ventilation including the ridge vent.
The windows surrounding the roost are open when the temps stay above 45 at night.