Thinking of converting part of my storage shed into a chicken coop.

[Kaleva]

Outside dimensions of the shed is 16' long by 12' wide. It sits south-westish of the vegetable garden in the back yard. I figured I would need about 10 chickens maximum to supply eggs for me and my wife and some other family members who have said they'd like some. Using the back 5 feet of the shed for the coop, that would supply enough area for that many hens. 55 square feet. For the outside run, I would use the north side and fence in a 10' wide by 16' long (the length of the shed) which would provide more than enough outside area for 10 chickens. If I just had 4 hens, I could downsize the dimensions of the coop and the outside run.

Last year I had priced the cost of a very small coop, big enough for 4 birds and it was over $300. Using part of the storage building instead would be a big cost saver. The north, east and south side of the possible coop already have walls and I have the 2x4s which I could use to put up a frame to hold the hardware cloth (fence) that would form the west wall. I'd probably put down new OSB board, which I have, on the floor and seal it. To protect the wall studs on the 3 sides of the coop, I may put up cement board. I'd need about 4 sheets. This would be for 10-12 hens. A lot less materials would be needed if I built a coop in the storage building to house 4 hens.

If I kept the height to 4', I could put down OSB board on top so I'd have a place to store light stuff and wouldn't lose so much storage space.

There are some other things I have to work out but overall, it looks to be quite doable, is easily scalable and would save money.

[calguy]

1. Sounds like a good plan... Chickens are fun...

Since my wife got into the chicken hobby, we've enjoyed the fresh eggs. Raising chickens has many benefits, but saving money, at least in our case, isn't one of them.

[cilla4progress]

2. Cool!

We've had chickens for over 15 years. We live in the sticks with wildlife around, yet have successfully free-ranged them with little loss! We've had some good dogs for helpers.

They have a roof on their outdoor yard (chicken wire with pole supports). Our coop is no bigger than your dimensions. We've had up to 20 hens. We also have a covered perch in their run.

The floor of the coop is concrete. An important feature has been burying the run fencing 15 inches. It's chicken wire. Prevents burrowing predators!

We are kind of at the tail end of our egg years. Down to 2 hens. We hope to add a few in the spring.

Will you have a rooster? I have thoughts! 😅

[MontanaMama]

3. I've had chickens for 20ish years.

Does a 4’ height give you room to move around in there enough to be able to clean easily? I ask that because half of my coop has a slanted ceiling and it’s difficult for me to stand and clean…I’m not very tall but it’s still a pain.

Chickens are a joy to keep.

[Kaleva]

11. A 4 foot height wouldn't be convenient

I'd be in there bent over. However, I thought if I placed the nesting boxes, waterer, and feed trough outside of the pen but the chickens could access that, I shouldn't have to go in the pen itself very often

6 foot would be better and I could still put a cover over the enclosure to store light stuff on .

I'll l have to do some more thinking about that .

[moniss]

4. You will instantly notice

an improvement in taste etc. in any cooking/baking recipes calling for eggs. I encourage people to always find fresh local eggs if possible. If you develop a nice relationship with your egg farmer you can also get some of those culled hens and reap the fabulous taste of slow cooked (days on simmer) soup/stew. Along with the fact the house will smell fantastic. My mom used to buy culled hens in quantity and make big batches of slow cooked soup and then freeze it in quart containers to last all winter long.

[Kaleva]

8. The chickens will also act as composters

Garden wastes, the garden is right near the run area, would be given to the chickens to shred or eat .

[moniss]

12. Yes indeed

and my Grandmother always tossed all kitchen/table scraps into their area.

[Kali]

5. my only concern with a dual purpose building is dust

anything close to inside of a chicken coop will get covered in dust - from general dirt, dander/feathers from birds themselves, dry fecal matter, and from feed and bedding.

[Kaleva]

9. The 8 foot sectional door on the west end could be left open on nice dayd

when I'm around to help air out the building. . I'd have to really minimize what I keep in there. Anything I can keep in the basement entryway or the basement itself would be moved there.

[keithbvadu2]

6. Sounds like you have a pretty good plan going.

[Kaleva]

10. Was thinking about it while up on the roof of the storage building

shoveling snow off

[3Hotdogs]

7. My daughter & husband built their own coop. It has been attacked by raccoon (claw marks

on the outer walls) and fox.

But it has held study for four years She lost one hen to a hawk. Others have died from "old age."

[womanofthehills]

13. I live out in the country - currently have 7 chickens & Roo

Planning on getting 2 or 3 new chickens as 4 of mine are pretty old. I fenced in a really big run for my chickens that includes 2 trees they can climb into. I put wide netting over the whole top to keep out owls & hawks. Nothing like cooking an egg that is so fresh it’s still warm.