Troubleshoot My Coop

[Moonstream27]

We just bought a house in the country. We have a small shed on our property that I think would make some chickens very happy.

What do we need to do to prep this for chickens?

I’m thinking:

• nesting boxes
• roosts
• do something with the insulation??
• adapt/update the door

What do you think?

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[black_cat]

VENTILATION. Your ventilation to floorspace ratio should be 1sqft : 5squft.
Those doors will work great for humans, but it may be a good idea to figure out a way to add a pop door/chicken door. The chickens will roost in those rafters if you don't do something with them, but lower roosts should definitely be offered.

 

[ackie]

maybe just cover the insulation with OSB

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Definitely do something with the insulation. Probably either put boards over it, or remove it. @aart what do you think? The chickens would most likely eat, or peck at the insulation. Definitely some roosts and nest boxes. Make sure the roosts are higher than the nest boxes. Also, try to add some ventilation.

 

[ackie]

the chickens will roost in those rafters if you don't do something with them, but lower roosts should definitely be offered.

so definitely don't store anything under a rafter

 

[black_cat]

so definitely don't store anything under a rafter

And don't put the food or water under one.

 

[perkolator]

That would make a nice coop. You doing the whole thing for chickens or dividing it in half? I've seen a few shed coops that are dual purpose with a divider.

Gable or dormer vent and chicken door would resolve ventilation issues. Wall over the insulation, the silver surface is asking for chickens to peck/eat it. I'd probably just cut the existing door at the bottom and add back in the cut section with hinges/gate lock for a chicken door. Inside I'd add some sort of nest boxes, such as an old cabinet or something. I'd either make a ladder system or move the roost bars somewhere the chickens can more easily get to/from them.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

You could always block the rafters off with chicken wire or something to keep them off of them. Seems like a long ways for them to be jumping down from, especially onto what looks to be a cement floor. (Course I could be totally wrong and it doesn't matter, which I'm sure someone will point out.)

 

[black_cat]

You could always block the rafters off with chicken wire or something to keep them off of them. Seems like a long ways for them to be jumping down from, especially onto what looks to be a cement floor. (Course I could be totally wrong and it doesn't matter, which I'm sure someone will point out.)

Great idea- I think it's a good plan to block off the rafters, though I wasn't sure with what.

 

[aart]

The chickens will roost in those rafters if you don't do something with them, but lower roosts should definitely be offered.

Those aren't rafters, they are stringers for storing stuff.
But, yeah, they should be removed.

@aart what do you think?

Insulation should probably be removed....but....

What do you think?

Are all the walls brick all around?
I see one window any others?
Soffits look open, might want to replace the existing soffit covers with 1/2" Hardware Cloth for more air movement.
I'd strip the whole building and check for any water infiltration.
then you can build up the chicken accouterments.
Lost of different options.

Would be good to know ......
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