Could I convert this old porch/shed into a Duck Coop

[graypes]

Hi! So I am finally getting around to building my ducks a coop at my new residence (they have been indoors for the last two months which they love but i dont prefer)

I have this old porch/storage space that attaches to the side of my old house, there is only one entryway from outside and there are windows on all sides (even peering into the house lol) its fully hooked up for electricity which is a definite plus (not sure why but it feels like a good thing) but my greatest concern is the weather.

We are in western michigan just north of muskegon so winters get VERY cold.
I am very wary of space heaters because FIRE so i’m wondering if anyone has any idea on how to winter proof this space

i think the foundation is concrete with wood and carpet on top, i definitely want to rip that nasty carpet out and maybe nail a tarp that covers the floor and a couple inches of the wall if that makes sense, for easier cleaning? and then would put shavings on top?

also the whole thing is not brick, only three corners are made of brick but inbetween is only double wood paneling (like wood on inside and outside but hollow gap between, no insulation).

 

[Alaskan]

How cold does it get there?

What kind of ducks?

With it connected to the house, I see no reason at all that you would need to heat.

How much snow do you usually get?

If you don't tend to get much snow... i would fence in a yard area attached to the shed. And then in that yard have a little roofed feed and water station.

if you get bunches of snow...
I would try to figure out how to extend a roof... but make an attached yard that is fully roofed.

Again with feed and water in the run, not the shed.


Either way... once you rip out the carpet... if it is good wood... rip it out and sell it or put it someplace else. If it is junk wood maybe put down black jack 57, or whatever that stuff is called.

If you rip out the wood.... then you need to decide if you want to use the concrete, or cover it in junk wood... I can't help you there.... never had concrete in a cold climate.

You do need to figure out how to add ventilation.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Alaskan has pretty much hit all the points. Only other thing I can think to add, is this a permitted location for a "coop"? Some areas do not allow poultry/fowl housing near/abutting any residence, other areas have no restriction.

 

[3KillerBs]

Have you kept ducks before? Are you familiar with the amount of mess they make?

 

[aart]

Wait.....you're duck will live in the old house?

 

[graypes]

Have you kept ducks before? Are you familiar with the amount of mess they make?

Yes! I've had my ducks for almost 2 years now, we moved spur of the moment and their first coop didn't work out so we've been making due with them as indoor ducks for now so I am unfortunately VERY familiar with the mess lolol

Alaskan has pretty much hit all the points. Only other thing I can think to add, is this a permitted location for a "coop"? Some areas do not allow poultry/fowl housing near/abutting any residence, other areas have no restriction.

Ooooo! This is a great point, I did not see anything about abutting structures but I did see a minimum distance from food areas (kitchen etc.) I'll check again though!

How cold does it get there?

What kind of ducks?

With it connected to the house, I see no reason at all that you would need to heat.

How much snow do you usually get?

If you don't tend to get much snow... i would fence in a yard area attached to the shed. And then in that yard have a little roofed feed and water station.

if you get bunches of snow...
I would try to figure out how to extend a roof... but make an attached yard that is fully roofed.

Again with feed and water in the run, not the shed.


Either way... once you rip out the carpet... if it is good wood... rip it out and sell it or put it someplace else. If it is junk wood maybe put down black jack 57, or whatever that stuff is called.

If you rip out the wood.... then you need to decide if you want to use the concrete, or cover it in junk wood... I can't help you there.... never had concrete in a cold climate.

You do need to figure out how to add ventilation.

Good thinking on the roof extension! We get lake effect snow here so that would definitely become a problem if I didn't consider the pile up of snow! Avg. daytime winter temp is 20s , I'm not sure what it drops to at night, but the lake we're on (that connects to lake MI) freezes over completely in the winter so I assume it gets quite cold! That's a good point about the concrete in cold weather, I'll definitely keep wood in mind when I tear open that carpet!
As for the ventilation, all the windows (including the ones that look inside) crank open, and I could put hardware cloth down over the screens to keep predators out, but would cracking open an exterior window in the winter be too cold?

 

[graypes]

Wait.....you're duck will live in the old house?

I live in the house, which is old, and I was thinking about having my ducks live in the shed, which is also old lololol

 

[graypes]

@rosemarythyme just checked again and no mention of abutting structures or any requirement for a coop to be standalone !

 

[rosemarythyme]

@rosemarythyme just checked again and no mention of abutting structures or any requirement for a coop to be standalone !

Always good to check ahead of time!

 

[Alaskan]

but would cracking open an exterior window in the winter be too cold?

Not at all.

Ducks are extremely hardy and are actually quite happy at 20F or even 0F.

The only exception is if they first get rained on, and then the temps plummet, or lots of wind.

So.... if you get lots of wind make wind breaks. You can also put a block or baffle or louvers at the windows so you still get all of the fresh air, but wind and snow don't blast inside.


Of course..... you haven't yet said what kind of ducks.