Old barn to chicken coop

[Hathorthecow]

Hi y’all!

I’m in northwest Georgia and new to chickens.
We’re trying to figure out the best coop solution for the layers.
We do have an old barn on the property, but, in my opinion, it’s in a poor spot for a coop. It’s opens to the northwest, and toward the woods. The only other option is putting a door on one side that opens to the northeast. It’s not ideal, because it’s also behind a covered RV pad, so you can’t really see it unless you take the walk to it.
On the one hand, I’d love to utilize it because it big and already built. On the other hand, the location and things around it make it seem like a poor choice.
I’m not even sure we wanna free range (at least right now) since we have a lot of hawks.
Better off turning the barn into a coop, or just building from scratch? What are y’all’s thoughts?

Edit: measurements of the stall the chickens could be in is approx 6’ x 18’. I added a few pictures of the outside and the stall. One pro is it is already wired for power and there’s a well right next to it. However, it still needs work to make it a coop!

 

[MommyGirl]

Hi y’all!

I’m in northwest Georgia and new to chickens.
We’re trying to figure out the best coop solution for the layers.
We do have an old barn on the property, but, in my opinion, it’s in a poor spot for a coop. It’s opens to the northwest, and toward the woods. The only other option is putting a door on one side that opens to the northeast. It’s not ideal, because it’s also behind a covered RV pad, so you can’t really see it unless you take the walk to it.
On the one hand, I’d love to utilize it because it big and already built. On the other hand, the location and things around it make it seem like a poor choice.
I’m not even sure we wanna free range (at least right now) since we have a lot of hawks.
Better off turning the barn into a coop, or just building from scratch? What are y’all’s thoughts?

Some pics might help people give you better ideas of what your working with

 

[ChaosMom]

Some pics might help people give you better ideas of what your working with

Also measurements, even rounded off. “Barn” sounds huge!

 

[Hathorthecow]

Some pics might help people give you better ideas of what your working with

I’ll snap some, and attach them, sorry about that!

 

[ChookaPete]

Yes it needs some work but it will be great for a chicken coop!

 

[Seaslug]

Your supply costs are likely to be less utilizing the barn than building new, with the benefit that your hens will have a larger space available to them. But only you currently know the full pros & cons of the site.