Old Shed Conversion???

[Amber Lu]

I don't have any pictures yet, but we are buying a house that has an old shed just behind the garage. It looks like it was built as a workshop or a small barn, and the flooring is solid 2x4's all the way across.

Does that need bedding put down?
Should I cover the 2x4s?
It only has 1 window on the south facing side that I will cover with hardware cloth. There will also be a chicken door on the south side. Will that be enough for ventilation?

Thanks

 

[aart]

Will that be enough for ventilation?

Probably not.
Really need to see the building, inside and out, to give viable advice.
First thoughts tho, odd that a floor would be made from 2x4's....would be good to know what is under the flooring you see.

 

[Amber Lu]

Probably not.
Really need to see the building, inside and out, to give viable advice.
First thoughts tho, odd that a floor would be made from 2x4's....would be good to know what is under the flooring you see.

It was built probably pre-1930. The house is 1910. There is disconnected nob & tube wiring. There is no foundation, just dirt underneath. Might be 2x6s, 1x4's? I spent a few minutes in there, and looked through a knothole in the floor.

This is the only Pic that I have until we move in lol

 

[Amber Lu]

This is not my pic, someone else's barn, but this is basically what the floor looks like:

 

[StinkyAcres]

Does that need bedding put down?

Yes, bedding not only helps with cleaning out manure but it also helps prevent foot injuries to your chickens since they will be jumping down from the roosts and nesting boxes.

Should I cover the 2x4s?

Definitely. A vinyl sheet flooring would make it so much easier to clean.

It only has 1 window on the south facing side that I will cover with hardware cloth. There will also be a chicken door on the south side. Will that be enough for ventilation?

No. I would aim for at least one square foot of 24/7 ventilation per bird, even in the coldest days of winter. It's best to have vents high up in the soffits and gables so drafts don't hit the chickens.

 

[aart]

This is the only Pic that I have until we move in

Well, I see a decent roof overhang,
but I wouldn't count on anything until you get a full look and inspection.
Do you already have chickens that you plan to move there along with your family?

 

[Sofainthefog]

Is it lifted off the ground at all? If the floor is in close contact with the dirt underneath it's likely there is rot or some other type of damage. You may be better off replacing the floor. you could do something as simple as thick plywood propped up on a frame of pressure treated 2 by 4s, or cinder blocks, and then doing the layer of vinyl flooring on top, with bedding over that. Chicken poop has a lot of moisture and the ammonia will soak into anything absorbent such as exposed wood.

As far as ventilation, determine what direction the wind usually flows and add two additional openings opposite each other to create space for a cross breeze. It should be above their heads when they're roosting to avoid drafts. And then cover it with hardware cloth of course!

You can definitely repurpose the shed for a coop! Mine is a modified playhouse, I used a reciprocating saw to cut out holes in the wood where I needed additional openings. Be prepared to do some remodeling because you don't want to set yourself up for more issues down the road, especially once the space is in use by the chickens. Better to do it now while it's still vacant

 

[Amber Lu]

Well, I see a decent roof overhang,
but I wouldn't count on anything until you get a full look and inspection.
Do you already have chickens that you plan to move there along with your family?

We have six pullets in a brooder who are going with us. They will only be about six weeks old when we move, so they will still be inside. =)

We have been in, and everything is in good condition-- it has just been about two weeks since we were there, so I cannot swear to where anything is inside, or its dimensions. The roof is in good shape, and the floors are solid. It might have a second window on the north side, but I don't think that it did.

 

[Amber Lu]

Is it lifted off the ground at all? If the floor is in close contact with the dirt underneath it's likely there is rot or some other type of damage. You may be better off replacing the floor. you could do something as simple as thick plywood propped up on a frame of pressure treated 2 by 4s, or cinder blocks, and then doing the layer of vinyl flooring on top, with bedding over that. Chicken poop has a lot of moisture and the ammonia will soak into anything absorbent such as exposed wood.

I think it is up on cinder blocks. I can see the dirt through a knothole in the floor, but it is about 6 inches down. It all felt very solid, and not creaky at all.

 

[aart]

We have six pullets in a brooder who are going with us. They will only be about six weeks old when we move, so they will still be inside.

Oh, well.
Too bad cause that building is probably going to need some work and it'll be hard to do in the middle of moving house and/or with tiny chicks inside.
Best of cLuck to you.