Happy dance- coop is almost done!

[KnightsMist]

We are building a coop in my existing barn (circa 1800s) that presently houses my horse and 2 mini donkeys. Last weekend I cleaned out the area (was being used for random storage) and pulled down some shelving and boards to clear the area. We finished the shell today- it is now fully enclosed! Next I need to add roost bars and poop boards and then nest boxes. But I'm so thrilled with how this came out and had to share!!

All wood was reused from other areas of the barn and the green door was just in a pile in the attic of the barn- so the aesthetic is maintained and you would never know we just built it! I'll share more when things are further along.

Before: open storage area
In process: All cleared out ready to build
Now: coop is enclosed! Wood boards and hardware cloth top to bottom, and has an existing wood floor.

 

[DobieLover]

We are building a coop in my existing barn (circa 1800s) that presently houses my horse and 2 mini donkeys. Last weekend I cleaned out the area (was being used for random storage) and pulled down some shelving and boards to clear the area. We finished the shell today- it is now fully enclosed! Next I need to add roost bars and poop boards and then nest boxes. But I'm so thrilled with how this came out and had to share!!

All wood was reused from other areas of the barn and the green door was just in a pile in the attic of the barn- so the aesthetic is maintained and you would never know we just built it! I'll share more when things are further along.

Before: open storage area
In process: All cleared out ready to build
Now: coop is enclosed! Wood boards and hardware cloth top to bottom, and has an existing wood floor.

That's going to be a GREAT space for your flock.

 

[Chuckie chicken]

Looks awesome!

 

[KnightsMist]

Thank you!! I hope they like it!!

 

[3KillerBs]

Wonderful!

Roomy and airy.

 

[Mellowmalt]

only thing is that the floor and possibly some sidewalls will get trashed within a few years. Chicken poo and wood doesn't last as long as that storage space would otherwise.

It's something to consider. I can see this was cheap and simple and looks great but if it ruins the space there which is a great storage space and needs to be replaced I think repairing the wood would be more expensive than building something outdoors.
What I have seen people do is tile the space.
You might think what? No way.. but tiling seals the area and protects it. If you ever need to repurpose the area you either just mop it or rip the tiles out and the area would be like before.
Tiles are one of the cheapest flooring options so if you think it isn't worth it for the chickens find something cheaper.
The only effort will be to cement them in and grout them.
You might think they are cold and not as nice to walk on which is absolutely true so you cover them in wood in the form of shavings.
I'd tile the area, it will make cleaning so much easier.

 

[aart]

The only effort will be to cement them in and grout them.
You might think they are cold and not as nice to walk on which is absolutely true so you cover them in wood in the form of shavings.

That's huge job/effort.
That would likely be disastrous in their climate, ceramic tile and grout wouldn't hold up to the freeze thaw cycle.

IF they wanted to put something down to protect the wood, a big sheet of vinyl flooring would be a better choice

 

[KnightsMist]

That's huge job/effort.
That would likely be disastrous in their climate, ceramic tile and grout wouldn't hold up to the freeze thaw cycle.

IF they wanted to put something down to protect the wood, a big sheet of vinyl flooring would be a better choice

Aart I agree with you. Beyond concreting and grouting, adding any other permanent type floor would not be allowed on our property as it is historically protected. This barn has held up to animals for over 100 years. We have made some flooring modifications in the 9 years we've had the property but those were mainly to accomodate the weight of horses.

I looked into sheets of vinyl flooring last night, and that might be something to pursue if needed, but I think at least initially I will stick with a good amount of bedding and regular cleaning. I do not plan to use the deep litter method because I know that would be a bad idea on a wood floor, I will likely just use shavings and strip it all out as needed, monthly or whatever timeframe seems to work best. And poop boards, I will be building poop boards under the roost and clean those daily or every other day., so that should help too.

 

[Conan]

We are building a coop in my existing barn (circa 1800s) that presently houses my horse and 2 mini donkeys. Last weekend I cleaned out the area (was being used for random storage) and pulled down some shelving and boards to clear the area. We finished the shell today- it is now fully enclosed! Next I need to add roost bars and poop boards and then nest boxes. But I'm so thrilled with how this came out and had to share!!

All wood was reused from other areas of the barn and the green door was just in a pile in the attic of the barn- so the aesthetic is maintained and you would never know we just built it! I'll share more when things are further along.

Before: open storage area
In process: All cleared out ready to build
Now: coop is enclosed! Wood boards and hardware cloth top to bottom, and has an existing wood floor.

So awesome. This is exactly what I hope to have one day. Great work, and I'm more than a little envious of that space.

 

[KnightsMist]

And they're outside now! I had hoped to put them out a couple days ago but we had a cold spell here. Back to seasonable temps, high 70s today. I still need to finish some things, adding the roost and poop boards and eventually nest boxes, but it's good enough for now