Shed into Coop

[6chicks1coop]

Hi everyone! We are in the process of converting an old tool shed to a coop for six chickens. We are thinking of ways to improve it as well as maximizing the shed to its full potential. This is our first flock so we have a general idea of what we want but we would also like some input. For ventilation, there are small cracks underneath the roof all around the shed that we will place hardware cloth around, as well as taking out the window on the left and adding a screened in window to open and close on hot days for more air. We would like to know what should be on the floor of the coop since the base of it is concrete and we don't want them scratching too much on the concrete floors. Nesting boxes are another issue because we would like to access the boxes outside however the concrete foundation sits pretty high and we don't want the boxes too high up for them because we heard the boxes should be lower than the roosts. Pictures are attached. Any advice would help! Thank you in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a cute shed. I like concrete floors. It deters rodents. I'd put the nest boxes along one wall and the nestboxes on the other.

 

[6chicks1coop]

That's a cute shed. I like concrete floors. It deters rodents. I'd put the nest boxes along one wall and the nestboxes on the other.

Thanks for the response! Any suggestions for bedding on top of the concrete?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks for the response! Any suggestions for bedding on top of the concrete?

I use pine shavings. In winter I mix hay and pine shavings to bulk up the bedding a bit. I keep it deeper in winter, and in the warmer months I clean as necessary.

 

[6chicks1coop]

I use pine shavings. In winter I mix hay and pine shavings to bulk up the bedding a bit. I keep it deeper in winter, and in the warmer months I clean as necessary.

Awesome! Thank you so much!

 

[RobertaD1]

That is a GREAT building! Has great bones! Look through the coop builds here... they give great ideas on interiors and how things should be placed. As for you ventilation.... add some vents above the windows and maybe the door,at the roof, if you feel necessary. I would probably add one above the windows anyway.

 

[pintail_drake2004]

I prefer the concrete floor. I add pine shavings to my coop, and do the deep litter method. Every week during the summer I add dry grass clippings, during the fall, I had pine straw or hay 1x a week. After 6mo, the bedding is broken down to a power like consistency. This is then cleaned out, and I start over.
As for the nest boxes, I have found the external boxes to be a novelty. I go inside the coop everyday anyways, so there was really no need for it. If I could start over, I would have built my coop with the nest boxes on the inside.
The eve vents on your coop add great ventilation. My eve vents are approx. 4"x12" covered in hardware cloth. I'm a firm believer in ridge vents when possible, It adds full length ventilation on the coop.

 

[bufforpington42]

that's a tough one on where to put the nesting boxes. If it were me I would try and make it so the boxes are being supported by the studs of the building, but actually hovering in the air lower than the concrete blocks. Does that make sense ??

Does it get cold there in the winter? If it does I would maybe considering getting at least 4 more chickens so that they can stay warmer

Bedding- In the past I've used sand in the summer and just sifted through it with rake to gather droppings. I've also used pine shavings and straw. In my opinion pine shavings soak up more moisture and therefore have to be cleaned/new added to more frequently. With the size of that building I would probably consider using straw. Both do their job so there's not really a wrong answer! Good luck!

 

[aart]

@6chicks1coop and @bufforpington42
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Old-clucker-55]

the nest boxes could be built and then fastened to the studs on the short wall.It looks to be about 20 inches off the floor.