Shed Conversion, Advice Helpful

[TheRealTimShady]

Alright, long story short, i was gonna build a shed but we moved and i have acquired one with our new house that the previous owner used as a coop. It ain't pretty but honestly I don't think chickens care that much.

obviously some repairs and patches will be made to the doors and hole on the side. On the inside there seems to be an ok spot for nesting boxes already(we plan on having around 5-7 to start with). I'll add more spots to the left of the "counter" area under the window. we also plan on free ranging them since i don't believe predator wills be an issue since the shed is right on the edge of our invisible fence with our 3 dogs. so i'm thinking about some sort of automatic solar powered door(already been scouring the threads for peoples thoughts on these)

Few things i'm worried about is ventilation, painting maybe?. I believe i'm gonna need to cut some new holes for vents at the top of each side of the walls above the windows as those old windows don't really open that much. feed container will be an old food safe 15gal plastic drum type thing with holes in the bottom and feeder cups(ya know the ones they can put their heads into). I will also be building a watering system piped to water cups that auto fill, i think i'll be putting the 5gal jug for that up on the wall on the inside so that during the winter i can put a heater in it and keep it from freezing over(its been a solid 5-30 degrees the past month and a half)

looking for some input from people that have converted in the past. maybe some paint for inside? more vents? overhead light? automatic chicken door? maybe some sort of cheap flooring to make sweeping out easier? if anyone has some links of threads that have done this would be awesome, I have looked but theres thousands of threads to go through.

 

[aart]

we also plan on free ranging them since i don't believe predator wills be an issue since the shed is right on the edge of our invisible fence with our 3 dogs.

But the chickens can cross that fence.

I will also be building a watering system piped to water cups that auto fill, i think i'll be putting the 5gal jug for that up on the wall on the inside so that during the winter i can put a heater in it and keep it from freezing over(its been a solid 5-30 degrees the past month and a half)

The cups won't stay thawed, use horizontal nipples instead.

more vents?

Definitely. Loosk like the roof needs to be replaced, then you can add large roof overhangs with open soffits for year round ventilation.

I put my coop in an existing shed, might get some ideas there:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I would definitely check out Aart's coop and the rest of the Large Coops section: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/large-coops.20/
I get more ideas of what I need from images, then from reading blueprints and schematics. I think you have an awesome opportunity with the shed. Everything I add (I'm a compulsive coop modifier,) is from 75% off home depot wood pile because I agree with you, chickens don't care if there is a warped board here or there as long as needs are met.

 

[WingItRanch]

So just to be clear... the invisible fence is to keep your dogs in a designated area but the chickens don't care. They will cross that line into the dogs' area so unless your dogs are used to chickens and have a history of ignoring them, be prepared to lose them. Also, predators won't care about your invisible fence either. The dogs won't deter them. Smart predators will sit and observe and know exactly where the dogs can roam and where the best place is to grab a chicken meal.

As for the shed, I think it looks like a great starting point. You could use the "counter" as a poop board and put the roost bars overtop. Some repairs and extra ventilation far above the roost bars and it would work just fine!

 

[perkolator]

Considering the condition and amount of work to repair it, is rebuilding the shed an option? Or maybe a temporary repair solution and building another better coop that will last you a few decades?

To me this shed needs a roof that overhangs more to protect the OSB siding looks like it's been rotting through in multiple areas on the edges. Side profile pic of the toppling foundation blocks + them holding up 2x4 joists that apparently wasn't full-length of the structure from the beginning... At that point, personally I'd rebuild the entire thing even though it's only for chickens.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Again, I'd totaly use the shed, mod, upgrade. Here's some more inspiration, check out @DobieLover Dobie's shed turned coop from beginning to end. You can do it... https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-mulligan.74743/

 

[TheRealTimShady]

Yea I’ve decided to stick with it. Started patching the floors already and gonna rip the roof off because of course after further Inspection it’s all rotted out. Beams and walls are ok. I got a plethora of 5 gal containers so we already started turning them into food and water containers(nixxed the watering system idea because as someone mentioned it will freeze.)

I’m still debating the run/free range idea. We plan on introducing our dogs to the chickens. They take to training quite well so I’m hoping I can do a free range idea. If vermin or issues arise I’ll build a run that’s sufficient for our needs.

Gonna use a dog cage lined with hardware cloth for chicks when we get them. Looking for leghorns mainly because we in it for the eggs. Might get an Easter egger or maybe some Cochins down the road(I had beautiful frizzled bantams in the past)

Obviously everyone more then welcome to comment their thoughts I’m always down for constructive criticism

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Sounds good! When you're replacing the roof, that's a good time to create ventilation. Typical is eves as opposed to ridge. I think you already mentioned that you're going to do this. It's great that you've got a few windows even if they're not very functional as is, you could re-work them maybe on hinges with hardware in the window frame as well. I have so many windows that when open all of them it's more like open air coop. You could even replace the door with a door that has a window. Hope you update with pics of progress! You can still free range AND have a run. A run makes it very convenient while dog/chicken training.

 

[StinkyAcres]

When you're replacing the roof, that's a good time to create ventilation. Typical is eves as opposed to ridge.

Eave vents AND a ridge vent is even better!

 

[Lisas chicken world]

Alright, long story short, i was gonna build a shed but we moved and i have acquired one with our new house that the previous owner used as a coop. It ain't pretty but honestly I don't think chickens care that much.

obviously some repairs and patches will be made to the doors and hole on the side. On the inside there seems to be an ok spot for nesting boxes already(we plan on having around 5-7 to start with). I'll add more spots to the left of the "counter" area under the window. we also plan on free ranging them since i don't believe predator wills be an issue since the shed is right on the edge of our invisible fence with our 3 dogs. so i'm thinking about some sort of automatic solar powered door(already been scouring the threads for peoples thoughts on these)

Few things i'm worried about is ventilation, painting maybe?. I believe i'm gonna need to cut some new holes for vents at the top of each side of the walls above the windows as those old windows don't really open that much. feed container will be an old food safe 15gal plastic drum type thing with holes in the bottom and feeder cups(ya know the ones they can put their heads into). I will also be building a watering system piped to water cups that auto fill, i think i'll be putting the 5gal jug for that up on the wall on the inside so that during the winter i can put a heater in it and keep it from freezing over(its been a solid 5-30 degrees the past month and a half)

looking for some input from people that have converted in the past. maybe some paint for inside? more vents? overhead light? automatic chicken door? maybe some sort of cheap flooring to make sweeping out easier? if anyone has some links of threads that have done this would be awesome, I have looked but theres thousands of threads to go through.

I'd love to get my hands on this storage shed! I've been looking for a good used shed for an entire year, and I'm always keeping my eyes peeled. This looks like it would be such fun to turn into a chicken coop. Have fun! My advice? Fix any draft issues, put some good vents in above the birds' roosting area, let in lots of natural light, and make it easy to clean.