6x8 shed conversion guidance, please

[gicts]

We're new chicken owners, as of now I have 3 ISA Brown and 3 Ameraucana which are 4-ish weeks old still brooding on the kitchen table.

I have a 6x8 shed I want to move them out into, and would love an experienced eye to take a look at my thoughts on converting it.

The shed - the run would be along the right, hopefully utilizing the fence.



The inside in need of a paint job. There is a window that is replacing one of the vents, I'm considering more ventilation and insulation.


The layout.

I'm thinking of cutting it in half so I have a little room for chicken related storage. It's still give the 6 hens a 4x6 area (4 sq ft per) assuming none turn out to be roosters ...




Thoughts? Concerns? Once I get this together, I'm sure I'll have run questions!

 

[88sub4x4]

Looks like a great start. Think you'll need more ventilation then just one window though.

 

[lovechickensss]

Looks like a good plan! Very good looking shed you have there xx

 

[gicts]

Looks like a great start. Think you'll need more ventilation then just one window though.

Thanks! There is one small vent in the lower corner - I'm a little concerned about rain getting in. Any thoughts on where and what I should add?

Looks like a good plan! Very good looking shed you have there xx

Thanks! We moved it from across the yard yesterday with 3" PVC which we're going to use for a feeding and watering system

We revived it 2 years ago - new paint, screws, and shingles (Home Depot scratch and dent!)

 

[88sub4x4]

That's a tough design to ventilate. I'd probably put a gable vent (or a small window) as high as possible in the door so it's opposite the window and will allow cross ventilation. Just make sure whatever you do will be higher then the roosting bars so the chickens will not feel drafty in the winter.

 

[Percheron chick]

Is the only chicken storage feed? I just keep it inside the coop. It does get some poop on the lid but hardly a problem. I would rather give them all the room they can have. Having an interior door where they don't rush you when you go in is not a bad idea. Face the window S if possible. If you have prolonged wet and cold weather, the girls might not want to go out. Definitely add a window for winter sunlight and summer ventilation. While you have the side ripped off, why not build the nesting boxes outside and save that 2 sq feet? You should be able to find repurposed free windows on CL. Your roost need to be longer. 6' for 6 birds. Don't worry about insulating or painting the interior. The only time I would insulate would be the roof if you live in the deep south to help keep the coop cooler in the summer. With all the trees, it shouldn't get too hot. A chainlink fence makes a solid run. You might have to go back and line the lower 2' with a smaller opening wire to keep day predators from grabbing the girls through the fence. 4' is also too low to contain most hens. You will want to cover it. I used an old broken frame from a 10x20 party tent. That or a hoop house will give you enough room to walk around in the run. Make an exterior door to the run big enough to get a wheel barrow in.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

We just converted a shed for our (6) chicks. I think you could add a window on either side even though you have a drop roof. We put in basement windows ($50. each at Lowes) installing them backwards, opening out like awning windows so it wouldn't rain in. 1/2" hardware cloth was installed inside. We also have a vent, approx. 5" x 18" , in the peak above where the run roof joins the shed. Even with that ventilation, it's still going to get hot in the summer. No windows and just the vent would make it unbearable.

Our coop living area is 8' x 9', and the way the chicks are growing, none too large. I would think 4' x 6' is too small for 6 grown hens especially of you live in the part of the country where bad weather may keep them in often. If they can free range most of the time and only sleep and lay in the coop, it will probably be OK.

 

[gicts]

That's a tough design to ventilate. I'd probably put a gable vent (or a small window) as high as possible in the door so it's opposite the window and will allow cross ventilation. Just make sure whatever you do will be higher then the roosting bars so the chickens will not feel drafty in the winter.

Thanks, I was struggling to differentiate ventilation and drafty. I guess keeping it high up would be the best option. I hadn't thought of adding a window or vent to the door, but would be a great idea!!

Is the only chicken storage feed? I just keep it inside the coop. It does get some poop on the lid but hardly a problem. I would rather give them all the room they can have. Having an interior door where they don't rush you when you go in is not a bad idea. Face the window S if possible. If you have prolonged wet and cold weather, the girls might not want to go out. Definitely add a window for winter sunlight and summer ventilation. While you have the side ripped off, why not build the nesting boxes outside and save that 2 sq feet? You should be able to find repurposed free windows on CL. Your roost need to be longer. 6' for 6 birds. Don't worry about insulating or painting the interior. The only time I would insulate would be the roof if you live in the deep south to help keep the coop cooler in the summer. With all the trees, it shouldn't get too hot. A chainlink fence makes a solid run. You might have to go back and line the lower 2' with a smaller opening wire to keep day predators from grabbing the girls through the fence. 4' is also too low to contain most hens. You will want to cover it. I used an old broken frame from a 10x20 party tent. That or a hoop house will give you enough room to walk around in the run. Make an exterior door to the run big enough to get a wheel barrow in.

My thinking was for feed, bedding, and that second door so they don't rush me when I open/close their door and I could have a spot to access the nest. Now that you mention it, I may try to cut the storage back to 1/3 of the shed. Perhaps the nest could go all the way back, which would still allow for a draw string for the door and an area to load the PVC feeders ...

At one point I was thinking of extending the shed dimensions to accommodate the nest, but I'm wondering if it's more hassle (leaks, cost, time, etc.) than it's worth. I'd venture we have 1-2 weeks before they need to get out of our dining room, and in that time I'm working full time plus building this and the run. Maybe we will end up going that route, but that's on the back burner

Would there be an issue having the roost go over their door?

Noted on reinforcing the bottom 2'. I was thinking of keeping the run high enough to walk in, phenomenal idea to make a door wide enough for a wheelbarrow! I'm envisioning something like a cathedral ceiling.

I was thinking of getting some basic insulated board to help with the weather extremes, but also that there are roofing nails poking through and with the low ceiling which I can see being an issue.

We just converted a shed for our (6) chicks. I think you could add a window on either side even though you have a drop roof. We put in basement windows ($50. each at Lowes) installing them backwards, opening out like awning windows so it wouldn't rain in. 1/2" hardware cloth was installed inside. We also have a vent, approx. 5" x 18" , in the peak above where the run roof joins the shed. Even with that ventilation, it's still going to get hot in the summer. No windows and just the vent would make it unbearable.

Our coop living area is 8' x 9', and the way the chicks are growing, none too large. I would think 4' x 6' is too small for 6 grown hens especially of you live in the part of the country where bad weather may keep them in often. If they can free range most of the time and only sleep and lay in the coop, it will probably be OK.

I think we may have picked up the same windows! I thought of reversing the window, but am concerned if the inside is made to whether the elements. I could swap out the current screen with hardware cloth. Judging from last summer when we had the shed in the full sun, our muggy warm days and nights made the shed a sauna. We've moved it into the shade, but I would feel better off maybe adding a ceiling vent as well.

I'm thinking of an 8'x16' (128 sq ft or about 21 per bird) run at the moment, then when we're home allow them full range of the backyard. I'm pretty flexible on the shape and size - just came back from Lowe's and hardware cloth will certainly be the most expensive portion of this build!!! I may cut back on the size of the storage for their sake...

Chick pics!

 

[ChickenMammX4]

The windows are vinyl inside & out, so no problems with holding up in weather. We left the screens and attached the hardware cloth to the 2/4 wood frame inside using screws and fender washers. We bought the hardware cloth at Lowes for the vent & windows but ordered the hardware cloth for the run from Amazon. A 48" x 100' roll of 1/2" hardware cloth was around $160.

 

[Percheron chick]

This is what I did to cover the run. It keeps BofP out but not egg stealing magpies.

The top is covered with 4x4 field fence. The glass keeps the snow from blowing in.
There's no problem putting the roost above the door but they need enough room to fly down. The higher it is the more room they need. It need to be 18" away from the wall and even at 6', that will only give them 4' down. If you give them a ramp, they should walk part way down before they fly the rest of the way. Chickens LOVE insulation board. We don't know why but if you put it up, you need to back it or they will spend hours pecking at it until it is gone. Probably not the best thing out there for them to eat. Depending upon your carpentry skills it wouldn't be much to extend the roof line down to the ground on the Lside (making more of an A frame). Put your nesting boxes there plus storage.

The word on the street is Amazon is the place to buy hardware cloth. Includes free shipping.