Using a back yard "Shed Kit" to build a coop?

[JustDon]

I'm looking at possibly using a kit like this one as a "cheater" to help with some of the grunt work in building a coop.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E3XNC0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I figured if I used chicken wire around the sides instead of siding, and then adding a "floor" a couple of feet above the ground on one side and actual siding of some sort above that, I'd already be most of the way to a coop/run combination like I've seen on this site from many people. I could then just add a nesting box hanging off the side, a ladder into the coop area, and a roost (or roosts), and I'd be done.

Unless I wasn't...

Any thoughts on the viability of this idea (if I've made it clear in my ramblings)? I'm looking at building a coop for an anticipated flock of perhaps 5-6 chickens, and envisioning something that I think would turn out something like this: http://www.chicken-coops-direct.co.uk/wch-pl2020-combination-house-and-run-4-p.asp

Thanks!

Don

 

[ctail13]

I built one as you described. I built a 10x12 deck 2ft off the ground. Bought and put together a 10x12 metal shed from lowes, and a 5x15 6' high dog pen. I put chicken wire on top of the dog pen to keep the owls out. So far it has worked well. I put in plastic shelving to put the laying boxes on and a 50 gallon trash can with lid to put chicken food in, so I don't have to carry anything out. I have seven birds now, as I lost one to a snake and one to racoon, (one was injured, lost eyesight), before building the secure structure. So far it has proven to be a great idea. Once a week I take a hose in the shed and just clean it out, water and crap goes through the cracks. I put in a small amount of hay or grass on the floor, because wife thinks it's nice. (?) I did put chicken wire around bottom of deck to keep snakes from bothering them, however it would be hard for them to get through the cracks. I also put in a soft light, for what ever reason, mainly to see if critters are around coop in the dark, before I go to work. I didn't have to do much for a door, I just keep the main door open enough for them to get through, the hotter the weather the more I leave it open. For ventilation I put in a small fan, the noise seems to sooth them, if a chicken needs soothed. I did put it in a shaded area of the yard, so heat has yet to be an issue, (and it gets hot in Texas), they seem to peck around outside in the evening. I did notice how easy it is to go in the coop by just opening the door, who would have thought. Use caution if you have horses, because they like to lean into the building and bend up your work, but is easy to repair. My neighbor thinks it is a bit much for chickens, but they are my first chickens. My issue was, I did put it together in July, and it gets hot in Texas, but they are Laying eggs now. it was easier to build this rather than a wood structure, as I am pretty much talent free in the construction business.