We can make this useable/pretty, right?!

[HenleyBrie]

Hubby and I were planning to start building our coop this week... And then we got offered this one for FREE! I don't have the measurements yet (and haven't seen it in person, so some angles are still a mystery to me); but by looks, it seems sufficient (size wise) for the 4 or 5 hens we're planning on welcoming into the family... It definitely needs some love/upgrades though! Off the top of my head:
- prime and paint all OSB
- replace roof boards and add shingles (or tin?)
- caulk/fill all gaps
- finish corners
- add beafy closures/locks
- cut ventilation below the roof line
- add 1/2" hardware cloth to all openings
- rid the world of the ridiculous chicken wire
- add a hc run (maybe a walk-in/full height one now that we've got budget room)...

What else?! What can I do with that flooring situation?! Would it be worth eliminating one of the nesting boxes for more floor space? Or that would probably be confusing?

 

[3riverschick]

After you get it scraped clean, disinfect it and let it dry out. Put vinyl flooring on the bottom with enough extra that it goes up the sides a couple of inches.
Use Lowe's Barn Paint on it. Comes in white or red. Other colors?? Set the coop with the highest side facing away from the prevailing wind. Then cut a hole for a nice size rectangular vent up near the top of the highest side. Use one of those metal screened vents with the hardware cloth on the back.
A walk-in runis wise. Much easier to clean and catch chickens.
Best,
Karen

 

[tigger19687]

Meh, it looks o.k.
But I would rather start all over. I thought OSB was not to be left outside unprotected ?
I had a sheet onto of a bee hive and it warped and got yucky.
Not to mention that blob of gross goop on the floor.

I would rather make new then have to clean up that.

But then again I like new smell and have taken on projects that turned out to not be worth it, scrap and start all over anyway.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

After through cleaning I'd seal that wood in and out yes. Cheap power painter from Harbor Freight($20ish) will make it fast and easy. A couple coats.

It needs windows badly. Beyond that the interior dimensions will help with recommendations on roost placement etc.

I'd save it for sure. Walk in run for sure.

 

[lazy gardener]

Clean all the crud out, scrape it down.

Spray inside and outside with a bleach solution. Don't forget the bottom.

Let it dry completely. That might take a week of good weather.

Windows, definitely need 2 windows. You can build one into the door. Ventilation under the eaves. You need a minimum of 5 s.f. of ventilation. More would be even better. I would add some 1 x 3 framing to the nest box and front door. As you mentioned, corner boards needed. I would also add a weather proof GFCI outlet.

Paint it inside and out with good primer followed by your finish colors of choice. You could use vinyl roll flooring (be sure not to buy the cheap stuff with the card boardy base!) or Black Jack to seal the floor and part way up the walls.

While OSB is not the best choice for a coop, sometimes we have to work within a certain budget. That's why my coop is OSB with 2 - 3 coats of paint inside and out.

Your flock will need a minimum of 4 s.f. coop space per bird.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would also treat the whole thing with permethrin before moving your birds in.

 

[JDN]

Osb is routinely mentioned as being bad for coop construction...and yet I see it in use all the time, so it can't be THAT bad, especially if you paint it.

Nice Score OP! I think you got the right idea. Clean, paint, and cut a window or two.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

We used osb on our coop, but also used metal siding. If you can score some siding, that would add to the longevity. Of course painting will add to it too. Ours isn't finished yet, but I think there is potential in what you have.
Osb is used in buildings and garages all of the time as you can see inside the building we built the coop in. It just needs to be done the right way.

 

[PollyGirl21]

You're right, it does need lots of work, but it has good bones . I'm sure it will be AMAZING when you are done!

 

[kiwi-chick]

then we got offered this one for FREE!

nice score!

I'd probably give it a quick light sand before painting!