Turning an old shed into a coop

[Collieoftheborder]

My husband and I are turning an old 10x14 shed into a coop. We removed the siding and old windows and replaced the foundation. My question is mainly about ventilation. Otherwise if you see anything glaringly obvious that I've not thought of please let me know! This project is for 30 large breed chickens (Hopefully all the chicks make it!) Location is NE Kansas. Extreme Winters and Summers.

First picture is after we removed one of the old windows and the second picture is what it looks like right now.

So the ventilation we have is that one 3x5 window that opens on one side, two probably 20"x12" gable vents and then on the area where the roof meets the wall we are leaving that open and covered in hardware cloth (probably 4" x 14' times 2). We will be putting a metal roof on it and will have a full vent the length of the roof at the peak. I am thinking I will get another window for the opposite wall too.

For the rest of the coop I am going to add a wall a couple of feet in to provide an off limits area for feed storage that will have a framed wall covered in hardware cloth. I think I will make one of the double doors a dutch door with a hardware cloth screen so i can keep it open during the day when it's hot.

The floors are plywood and I am going to cover them with vinyl sheeting. Possibly using pine shavings or pine pellets for bedding but haven't decided yet. I am going to do 3 roosts (30 ft total) made of 2x4s, with the 4" side being the roost side. I am going to have a poo shelf with vinyl sheet and Sweet PDZ.

I am thinking 6 to 8 nest boxes.

Chicken door going out into the run is 15"x15".

Building a covered run 14'x16'. Roof will be metal and it'll be completely enclosed in hardware cloth and skirting the HWC out probably 10 inches or so.

Thinking of using hardwood mulch in the run.

I am planning to free range a good deal of the time except in the depths of Winter.

Don't judge the pictures TOO much! We have a lot of work left to do. Lord willing the chicks will be coming Oct 14th.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is there anyway to make the run slightly larger, like 16x20? For a max of 30, given that they'll be confined during winter crowding could be a bit of a sticking point when they go from free ranging to run only, unless you plan on dropping numbers during winter which is what some folks do to manage the population.

As far as ventilation I think you're pretty close to recommended numbers (presuming you're leaving windows open in winter too, otherwise consider leaving a bigger gap around the top under the eaves, if possible), and the option of having the door open with hardware cloth screening should help in the hotter summer.