Make a Chicken Coop from a Garden Shed!
The day I brought home the first two chicks, I went against all the advice I give to people thinking about getting chickens. We had a farm but had no chicken coop or really any plan to build one. But two chicks followed me home from work at a feed store and the future was changed forever. Not long after, twelve more chicks arrived to keep the first two chicks company. We now had fourteen baby chicks growing up in our house but they could not stay there forever. It was very clear that in the near future we were going to need a chicken coop on the farm.
We had two garden sheds in our yard. Downsizing was in order because having two sheds just meant that you saved and held onto twice as much “stuff”. We would use one of the sheds for a coop but first it needed to be emptied and then moved to the barn area.
Getting Things Started
The first step in converting the shed into a coop happens before the shed even arrives. Level the ground and get materials for elevating the coop off the ground several inches. You could use 6 x 6 timbers or cinder blocks. We opted to go with the treated lumber 6 x 6 timbers to raise the coop up from ground level.
There are two main reasons to do this, one is to allow drainage and air flow under the coop and prohibit rotting. The second reason is to deter predators and pests from chewing into the coop from the ground.
Inside the coop we spread a layer of cement and let it cure for a couple of days to dry completely. This also deterred rodents from chewing into the coop from the ground level.
Once that prep work is complete it is time to retrofit the shed and turn it into a coop. Some things you will need to add are listed below.
What to Add To a Chicken Coop
Roosting bar /Roosting area– Many people use a 2 x 4 board as a roost. This should be turned so that the 4 inch side is flat for the chickens to perch on and comfortably cover their own feet with their feathers during cold weather.
Add A Place for Eggs
Nesting Boxes– There are many formulas on calculating how many nest boxes for the number of hens in the coop. I will tell you that no matter how many nest boxes you have, all the hens will wait in line for the same box. Sometimes a few will crowd into one nest area. I recommend having a few nest boxes in the coop but don’t be surprised if one nest box becomes the popular nest. Be careful to secure the nest box somehow. Nest boxes that are lightweight can tip over, trapping a chicken underneath.
Windows– Our shed did not have any windows in it. Before we could use it for a coop we added four windows in the back and two windows in the door. This allowed cross ventilation, and daylight to enter the coop. Since chicken wire will not keep predators out, be sure to securely fasten quarter inch hardware cloth to any windows or ventilation holes you cut into the coop.
Safety Concerns
Exterior latches– We added a couple extra latches in addition to the door handle. We have a wooded property and the racoons are literally everywhere. Racoons have a lot of dexterity in their paws and can open doors and latches. So we have a secure lock down situation for our chickens!
A fan– Hanging a box fan will keep the chickens more comfortable and help with air circulation during the hot humid summer days and nights. We hang ours from the ceiling pointing towards the back windows. It makes a big difference. Be sure to keep the fan clean because dust will build up quickly from being used in the coop, which can become a fire hazard.
Don’t Forget Regular Upkeep Inspections!
After building the perfect chicken coop from a garden shed, remember that upkeep is needed. Doing routine inspections, and repairs as outlined here, will help you get many years of wear out of the coop.
Necessary Coop Furnishings
Droppings board– When this coop was first used, I didn’t know the importance of a dropping board under the roost bar. Stinky droppings accumulated under where the birds roosted at night, attracted flies and the chickens walked in the droppings! Ick!
The dropping board was very easily added and made a huge difference in keeping the coop clean and free of flies. You can read more specifically about our coop dropping boards in this post. Basically, the board is installed under the roost bar and is removed to clean the droppings off of it. If the board is attached you would use something like a garden trowel or cat litter scoop to clean up the droppings and remove them to the compost pile.
Coop Extras
Our coop is not fancy. No frilly curtains, or interior paint. While all of that is fun, your flock will not feel less important if you don’t totally pinterest up the coop. (did you know pinterest could be a verb?) I did paint the one nesting box in a very cute pattern and added lettering that stated “Farm Eggs”. The girls still pooped all over it and decided to peck the lettering off of the top. I still think it would be fun to paint the inside and add some wall art. I’ll add that to this Spring’s To Do List!
Before the nest box was added to the coop
after the nest box was used
I hope you enjoy this short video tour of our chicken coop!
I poured a lot of Do it Yourself Information and detailed step by step projects into my book, 50 Do it Yourself Projects for Keeping Chickens (skyhorse publishing 2018) You can grab a copy through local bookstores, Tractor Supply stores, Other garden and farm supply stores, and through my website.
For more on building your own chicken coop take a look at these posts –
Pallet Project – Build A Cheap Chicken Coop
How Much Space Does a Chicken Need Anyway
Your coop looks great! I think it’s wise to start with what you already have when deciding where you are going to keep chickens. We turned an old dog kennel into our chicken pen. And wouldn’t all those play structures that sit unused in people’s yards after the kids have outgrown them make great chicken coops?
thank you! I agree. Instead of dumping them into landfills the play houses could be put to a chicken coop! thank you for stopping by Deb!
Janet,
Thank you for your helpful post. We just purchased our property (for cash) and it happens to have an extra storage shed which we are planning on converting into our chicken coop.
Now, I just need to NOT buy any chicks until our coop is ready! LOL.
I love peeking inside your world. Thanks you so much for sharing on the (mis)Adventures Mondays Blog Hop. I look forward to seeing what you share this week!
This is great. A few years ago, when I was just dreaming about having chickens, I saw that most adorable coop (actually it was a chicken tractor) made from an old car! How great is that? Now, I find I have a vehicle that would be perfect for doing the same thing, and am now ready for the actual chickens but do you think I can find that article? Nope! So i may just have to ?wing it? (pun intended!) and figure out my own idea, but if anyone has a link to such a plan, or even just some pics, I?d be grateful. This way, I can just drive it around and put the droppings where they need to go. I will probably cut a hole in the floor and make a trap door so I can sweep the poop and stuff right out quite easily. Block off the drivers? side so it doesn?t get poop and feathers everywhere, put the egg laying area where the sliding door is to access easily, It will even have lights (dome lights!) and heat if necessary….maybe…not sure about that… People say I could get maybe a few bucks for the vehicle, but I would spend that much buying a new coop, and it would not be so large or nice…so why not fix it up? It already has many of the things needed for being a great place for chickens to live: light, fresh air and ability to close off for winter. I would put wire and cloth over the windows, but still be able to open or close them for ventilation…I am excited! I too, believe that we should repurpose everything we have and not fill the landfills, or throw stuff away. Thanks for the great ideas!
We’re getting ready to switch our shed to another chicken coop too! Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop!
I was using woodprix instructions to make it and I did it already 🙂