Thoughts on this shed as a chicken coop?

[Mike521]

Hi all, just looking for some quick opinions on using this shed as a chicken coop. We have 6 chickens now, and I wouldn't mind having up to 10 or so. I'm planning to add:

• a couple of windows to the 'back'
• nesting boxes under the windows (so the 'back' will become the 'front' and will be similar to a lot of coops you see all over)
• a side-entrance door going out to the chicken run
• roosting bars with poop hammocks

The shed will be located adjacent to the chicken run, so I'm going to cover the bottom and the lower half with 1/4" hardware cloth. The large doors will actually face toward the back of our yard and I'll use them for cleanouts etc.

It's cedar wood, 7.5 x 4 (30 sq. feet). It costs about $1,500, and with windows etc I'll probably end up spending around $2,000. In our area the amish-style ones for that price-range will be much smaller and only good for 4 - 6 chickens. An amish style one for 10 - 12 chickens would still be smaller, would not have nice big doors for walk-in cleaning, and would cost a lot more. So I'm thinking overall this will be a nice option.

What do you all think?

 

[matheny00]

I read somewhere that cedar shavings are not good around chickens due to the aroma, so not sure if that goes for regular cedar planks. I'm building a 4x8 coop with a 6x17' run attached, my finished price for all should be about 1800.00.

 

[thistlewick]

Did a quick google; Cedar wood is okay for coop

but deadly toxic as shavings

I find that totally bizarre and for peace of mind I'd avoid it in a shed but that's just me. OP, you do you.

30 square feet isn't *really* ideal for 10 chickens in a coop, though. You want at least 4 square feet of space for each individual chicken in the coop (10 square foot per chicken in the run) and 1 foot of roosting space per chicken.

Make sure the ventilation is far above their roosting heads, drafts from below aren't ideal in colder climates.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Did a quick google; Cedar wood is okay for coop

but deadly toxic as shavings

I find that totally bizarre and for peace of mind I'd avoid it in a shed but that's just me. OP, you do you.

It's because of surface area. A piece of lumber has less surface area to offgas versus thin shavings which are pretty much entirely surface area. You can also paint over the lumber/shed to further minimize any fumes but obviously can't do that with shavings.

Also depends on the type of cedar used but doubt the manufacturer specifies.

My brooder is 100% cedar. It's 9 years old at this point, so zero fumes and zero issues.

30 square feet isn't *really* ideal for 10 chickens in a coop, though. You want at least 4 square feet of space for each individual chicken in the coop (10 square foot per chicken in the run) and 1 foot of roosting space per chicken.

Make sure the ventilation is far above their roosting heads, drafts from below aren't ideal in colder climates.

Agreed. For up to 10 birds you'd want something larger if possible, especially since it sounds like you'll be integrating birds over time (which is ideal for eggs) but integration favors extra space.

Windows are great for light but depending on how large and how high up they are, they may not provide enough ventilation.

 

[thistlewick]

Ahh yeah Rosemarythyme your brooder is cool as heck, didn't know it was cedar! Not one of the websites I visited mentioned the surface area issue, that is good info thank you. Wish websites were more comprehensive!

OP, let us know what you decide!

 

[Mike521]

thanks everyone! I went ahead and ordered the shed today, I'll post pics when it's all done - gonna be a few weeks!

I had read somewhere the shavings were bad but full planks etc were fine, because of dust / gasses etc. I'll probably air out all the shed parts for a few days before putting them together

I didn't realize it was a bit on the small side for 10 chickens, not a big deal though, I was just tossing that number around as a rough idea. I'd like to let a hen sit on 2 - 4 eggs at some point

 

[ChookaPete]

It looks a bit small and stuffy. You'd have to expand it and provide some ventilation while also blocking draughts (chickens do not like the wind).

 

[Love Donkeys]

If you think the Cedar planks are causing health issues with your chickens you might be able to put a sealer paint on them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I didn't see a height measurement. Can you stand up in it? We bought a Rubbermaid shed a few years back that we use as a brooder and it's only about 4' high. I've cussed that thing more than I can tell you even though the top slides halfway back. I'm saving my pennies for a taller one.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Be sure the windows are protected with hardware cloth, not chicken wire, and that it's installed on the outside, not the inside, and finished with lathing strips so it can't be pushed through from the outside. It's a good-looking building. .