Turning a shed into a coop.

[hispoptart]

I'm still on the fence about gutting the shed, but I have drawn up some rough sketches. Please keep in mine that I am no carpenter and this is the first time I have ever even attempted to draw up a plan.

This is where I am stuck, what to do with all the empty space, sorry forgot to add this is 8x8.

Any Ideas????

 

[jthornton]

The first thing I see is the roof will dump rain into the run... could be a sore point down the road. If possible I'd have the run in front or back and fully covered to match the shed roof. This way you could have a rather large vented area under the roof which would protect the vent from rain and snow.

The 8x8 space will fill up very fast.

JT

 

[hispoptart]

The first thing I see is the roof will dump rain into the run... could be a sore point down the road. If possible I'd have the run in front or back and fully covered to match the shed roof. This way you could have a rather large vented area under the roof which would protect the vent from rain and snow.

The 8x8 space will fill up very fast.

JT

Unfortunately building it off the front or back will not work. I'm leaning towards dropping the height of the run on the backside by about 6 inches to allow the rain to run off. I would extend the roof out a bit back there so it wouldn't run right down and into the run. Right now I'm still just planning, so lots of room for changes and Ideas.

 

[aart]

When using graph paper it's good to assign each square a dimension...
...like 1 sq = 1"..so that everything is to scale.
Looks like you're close, but not quite, 1sq = 2"?

@Chad Oftedal has a great 8x8 layout that might get you started.

 

[TexasWineGuy]

I see the nesting box space on your diagram, but what about the roost bar and poop tray? Based on input from several others here, this is what I came up with: a nest box tray (lower) and a poop tray/roost bar for them to sleep up high.

A portable assembly like this would be easy for you to move if need be, and to remove when it's time for a yearly hose cleaning. Note that I painted the trays with Black Jack #57 roof sealant.

You have lots to work with on that shed - but do gut it. You will thank us later....

TWG

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I also agree on the gutting. That drywall will cause all sorts of problems for you. Chickens will eat anything. So even if it's not in bad shape now, say it gets wet, then they peck at it, now they are all eating drywall.
I would replace the roof sheeting even of it looks ok. You don't want to worry about having to replace it down the line and the new shingles you just put up. Its not huge so in the long run I'd say better to do it now. That also gives you the opportunity to add a ridge vent for added ventilation.
I have the same issue with water run off that someone mentioned. The run had to go where it is and the roof drips into the run. I'd like to install a drain pipe of sorts but now that the fence is in that will be much harder. My other thought is a gutter to divert the rain.
You could look into windows that already fit the framed opening. Some places have rehab stores or discount stores. I bought utility windows for mine. Nothing fancy. Took the screen out and hardware clothed over the ouside.

You could also share the link to this thread in your state thread. People with similar weather often have ideas from experience.

 

[Chad Oftedal]

When using graph paper it's good to assign each square a dimension...
...like 1 sq = 1"..so that everything is to scale.
Looks like you're close, but not quite, 1sq = 2"?

@Chad Oftedal has a great 8x8 layout that might get you started.

Thanks @aart!

Here is the final sketch that I ended up going with and I really like it a lot. In my sketch, the hexagons were going to be hanging feed and water under the poop board, and the box on the right side under the poop board was going to be a dust bath box. I ended up not doing feed and water or dust bath box on the inside - they are all out in the run. Instead, my plan is to eventually build an enclosed brooder area under the poop board - probably the upper right corner section of the layout. That's still to be worked out in the future, but it would let me brood chicks in the existing coop, and since I have power, I could run my heat plate, etc., in there.

The "L" running on the right and back wall is 24" wide and runs the full length of both. The skinny boxes you see in the middle are 2x4's that are 8" above the tray. They are actually wide side up- so the 3.5" side up so the birds have more area to walk on when on the roost. The picture here might imply the edge is up, but that's not the case. The red box on the left edge is my built in roll out nest box. The smaller red box is where the automatic coop door is at. The skinny, flat box at the bottom of the drawing is my 30" human door to enter the coop. You can't see it in the drawing here, but the bottom right corner, under the poop board, near the area that the power comes in is where my hens have made a nest in the straw and lay their eggs every morning. Sigh.

 

[TexasWineGuy]

What are the hexagon shapes on the DWG?

TWG

 

[Chad Oftedal]

What are the hexagon shapes on the DWG?

TWG

They were going to be hanging feeders, waterers, and calcium (crushed oyster shell). I opted to put all that out in the covered run instead. The layout inside is fairly minimal, but that gives the birds plenty of room, makes cleaning easy, and is just more enjoyable to move around in there.

 

[hispoptart]

Thanks everyone for all of the great ideas, I am running them all through my head. I think I'm getting closer to a design plan. I sure can't wait to get started and it all done. I think the girls will be so much happier and safer when they are in their new home.