My mother needed a lot more room for her chickens to roost and nesting boxes. We decided to build an 8 x 10 Arrow shed from Home Depot to replace the older smaller one.
Just bought a 5x4 shed to convert and pair with an 10x10(mabey bigger) run. Living Washington state, so warm but wet summer, cold but low snow winters. I'll have to see if I need to wrap the shed in the winter to warm it some, but people online talk about birds being fine well into the negatives as long as there dry and ventilated. Hoping everything works out. Best to you also
Good luck. The chickens have already gone through a few freezes in it just fine. When I upgrade the inside it will have some heat lamps and we are planning on adding some solar exhaust fans to it for the summer.
@@1hornet1 definitely look into infrared heaters (I believe) because a different video I commented on, their shed burned down due to a heat lamp. The solar exhaust fan is exactly what I was looking at last night in order to help with heat and humidity. I'm looking into possibly insulting it as well, but I know nothing about that so lots more research to do
Thank you for this!! 💯This is exactly what I want to do. I think the open floor is a great idea & would be perfect for me living in extreme hot weather with no real winters. If possible, can you please provide an updated video to show any changes you've made with a complete & detailed tour of the entire setup?
Unfortunately I live several hours away from this coop but will be back by the end of June. I will film an update and intend to install some solar power fans to push hot summer air out of the top and draw fresh air in from the bottom. Thanks for the comment!
This is a great setup. Thanks for posting. I'd like to replicate the roosting ladder. How did you figure out the required dimensions? Also, how do you mitigate predator threat without a bottom on the coop? Thanks!
Hello Charlie, we just eyeballed the ladder for the size chickens my mother has with emphasis on keeping the rungs as high as possible. They all seem to want to be on the top one. It has been in use for a year now and never had a predator get in as I attached chicken wire to the wood base base of the shed that runs to the ground and out about a foot and a half. We then stacked rock and pavers all around it on top of the checking wire. It has worked great so far. Good luck!
Hello, Texas Flyer! I was glad to find this video today... I am a new chicken owner, with a current flock of two, plus four chicks in a brooder. I emptied my old 10X12 metal shed, much like yours, and have built a chicken run on the back side. I will split the internal space into coop and storage, but have not finalized design for nesting boxes and roosting bars. Have you made any improvements on these two items in your coop? I didn't see a follow-up video on that subject but would like to! I intend to have my nesting boxes protrude through the side wall so I can gather eggs without walking inside the coop/shed. Hope you have time to reply, thanks!
Hello, to be honest with you, other than adding carpet to their roosting bars, we actually haven't had to do anything else. The chickens are happy in their and we've learned that they are very picky about where they lay their eggs. Since they usually really produce, we've left their nesting boxes alone other than changing hay when needed. I added a few solar powered fans in the gable above the door and, while they do draw hot air out , it doesn't seem to cool the coop much. Regardless, the chickens could care less. Whether it's hot or cold, they use it and are doing very well. We ran a hose into it so they have a constant supply of fresh water but that's about it. I'd like to see how your setup turns out. Good luck!
I have a 10x12 we just put together and have our chickens in now. I want to put some foam board in it for winter and plywood over top of it. Any recommendations? I am also open to ideas on roosting bars or maybe build some steps for them to roost on.
This coup is in the Texas hill country outside of San Antonio. We see snow and very hot summers. I put some solar powered fans in the gable above the doors from Amazon. They do draw out a lot of hot air when the sun is on the solar panels. It doesn't seem to cool it down but after the last summer and winter, the chickens have not had any problems with it. I plan on trying to put a canopy over it this summer so the metal is in the shade the whole time which I believe will keep the temps below 100 easily. If you look at minute 12:30 you will see the roosting bars we put up. Turns out the chickens are happy with them. My suggestion, wrap carpet around them like we did. It gives them way better grip. Also, they all want to be on that top bar. They use the lower ones to get up there but not roost on. I suggest making sure you have enough length on your top bar, however you choose to design it, for all of your chickens to fit on. My mom usually has 15 chickens on average. The shed seems to have been a great idea so far. Good luck!
So far we've had no problems like that as air can flow through it from the bottom and top. So no moisture problems from temperature changes and none to speak of from rain either. I have been very pleased with it these three months so far
Hey Sharen, the shed is holding up beautifully. Last June I installed two solar powered fans in the gables to draw hot air out from the top and cooler air in from the bottom. They definitely do that but don't really seem to cool it down any more than a few degrees. This summer I'll try a sun blocking canopy instead. The chickens don't seem to care and none of them had any problems in it regardless of the temps during the summer or winter. Good luck with yours
It has been through 2 Texas summers and at the top of the roof I've measured it at as high as 104⁰. I installed the double solar power fans in the gable and you can feel it pushing that hot air out though the temp doesn't seem to drop. Having said that...the chickens do not seem to care and we've never lost one in there BUT they have that opening in the video to their caged enclosure. Not that they've ever been smart enough to know better but so far, it has been awesome. Good luck!
In my opinion it is. These sheds are built out of the flimsiest materials and get their strength as an assembled unit. The base is the thing that keeps everything in shape and place. It is possible to build it without one though but you may have trouble lining everything up during assembly as well as other problems.
@@1hornet1 Yeah you're probably right about that. I saw that lowe's has an anchor kit available. I think that raising it up like you did and then putting hardware cloth and stones would likely be a good idea to increase ventilation. I think what I'll do is run power to it so I can put some windows in and an exhaust fan or two. How is your coop holding up in the Texas heat? We've been over 100 in the heat index lately where I'm at and a big concern for me atm is going to be temperature.
@@KirballsKeys Ours is holding up very well and the chickens don't seem to care about the heat in it. In June I installed two solar powered fans in the gable above the doors to push the hot air out of the top and hopefully draw cool air from the shaded coop cage at the bottom. You can feel those fans pushing a lot of hot air out of it but is doesn't seem to affect the temperature. I have two remote sensors hanging in the middle of that shed in all directions and it gets up to 109 in there regardless. The fans were only $60 and if they do not have direct sunlight on them, they do not turn at all. Hopefully, someone has a video with a setup like you want to use but as for next summer, I plan on trying to put a shade sail over it. Honestly, we have not had any chickens care about the temp in there. They still go in and lay their eggs during the day and seem to be fine. Good luck!
@@1hornet1 did you cut in additional ventilation at the top? I purchased the same shed then found your video. I plan to cut some squares out along the top and reinforce them so structural integrity is there. And possibly some windows for light.
@@KirballsKeys So I did not cut any additional vents just for the reason I wanted to keep the shed as dry as possible on the inside. I have only cut two circles for the fans and I am going to put a rain visor on them. I like your idea though and if I can get some sort of shade over the shed I may do that as well. We have another month of ridiculous temps so I will assess how everything went and make more mods then. I would like to see how yours turns out if you make a video.
I chose not to put a bottom in it for two reasons. #1 Chickens are in it and they crap everywhere. Which they do in the dirt too but it's been our experience that them crapping on things ruins it quick and causes me more work. #2 is that I want air to flow through the bottom. Soon we are going to add vent fans to really circulate air from the bottom to top during the summer months.
@@rmartin3858 getting an 5x4 metal shed. Live in Washington state, so close to south bc weather. Hope your birds are doing well. Reading there cold isn't as bad for them as you'd think as long as there's dry the whole time. Have to watch our when we get them and see.
I was going to say that looks like the Texas hill country then i saw your channel name lol. Good job. It looks great!
Thank you!
Just bought a 5x4 shed to convert and pair with an 10x10(mabey bigger) run. Living Washington state, so warm but wet summer, cold but low snow winters. I'll have to see if I need to wrap the shed in the winter to warm it some, but people online talk about birds being fine well into the negatives as long as there dry and ventilated. Hoping everything works out. Best to you also
$1200 for a small wooden coop is crazy when you can buy a $400 shed that is much bigger.
I'm too early! Commenting for updates on how it goes through winter/summer. This is exactly what we are planning for an upgrade to our coop
Good luck. The chickens have already gone through a few freezes in it just fine. When I upgrade the inside it will have some heat lamps and we are planning on adding some solar exhaust fans to it for the summer.
@@1hornet1 definitely look into infrared heaters (I believe) because a different video I commented on, their shed burned down due to a heat lamp. The solar exhaust fan is exactly what I was looking at last night in order to help with heat and humidity. I'm looking into possibly insulting it as well, but I know nothing about that so lots more research to do
@@ashleyharrington 😕
Thank you for this!! 💯This is exactly what I want to do. I think the open floor is a great idea & would be perfect for me living in extreme hot weather with no real winters. If possible, can you please provide an updated video to show any changes you've made with a complete & detailed tour of the entire setup?
Unfortunately I live several hours away from this coop but will be back by the end of June. I will film an update and intend to install some solar power fans to push hot summer air out of the top and draw fresh air in from the bottom. Thanks for the comment!
@@1hornet1 😁👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾solar powered fans!! I can't wait to see this!!🙌🏽
Thanks a lot is there a way you can please make another video with the way your coop is at now the finished product
This is a great setup. Thanks for posting. I'd like to replicate the roosting ladder. How did you figure out the required dimensions? Also, how do you mitigate predator threat without a bottom on the coop? Thanks!
Hello Charlie, we just eyeballed the ladder for the size chickens my mother has with emphasis on keeping the rungs as high as possible. They all seem to want to be on the top one. It has been in use for a year now and never had a predator get in as I attached chicken wire to the wood base base of the shed that runs to the ground and out about a foot and a half. We then stacked rock and pavers all around it on top of the checking wire. It has worked great so far. Good luck!
Hello, Texas Flyer! I was glad to find this video today... I am a new chicken owner, with a current flock of two, plus four chicks in a brooder. I emptied my old 10X12 metal shed, much like yours, and have built a chicken run on the back side. I will split the internal space into coop and storage, but have not finalized design for nesting boxes and roosting bars.
Have you made any improvements on these two items in your coop? I didn't see a follow-up video on that subject but would like to! I intend to have my nesting boxes protrude through the side wall so I can gather eggs without walking inside the coop/shed.
Hope you have time to reply, thanks!
Hello, to be honest with you, other than adding carpet to their roosting bars, we actually haven't had to do anything else. The chickens are happy in their and we've learned that they are very picky about where they lay their eggs. Since they usually really produce, we've left their nesting boxes alone other than changing hay when needed. I added a few solar powered fans in the gable above the door and, while they do draw hot air out , it doesn't seem to cool the coop much. Regardless, the chickens could care less. Whether it's hot or cold, they use it and are doing very well. We ran a hose into it so they have a constant supply of fresh water but that's about it. I'd like to see how your setup turns out. Good luck!
"unboxing fetish videos" 🤣🤣 Dude I'm subscribed because of that statement! Amen! Keep it to the point of what actually matters!
Thank you for noticing that. LOL
I have a 10x12 we just put together and have our chickens in now. I want to put some foam board in it for winter and plywood over top of it. Any recommendations? I am also open to ideas on roosting bars or maybe build some steps for them to roost on.
This coup is in the Texas hill country outside of San Antonio. We see snow and very hot summers. I put some solar powered fans in the gable above the doors from Amazon. They do draw out a lot of hot air when the sun is on the solar panels. It doesn't seem to cool it down but after the last summer and winter, the chickens have not had any problems with it. I plan on trying to put a canopy over it this summer so the metal is in the shade the whole time which I believe will keep the temps below 100 easily. If you look at minute 12:30 you will see the roosting bars we put up. Turns out the chickens are happy with them. My suggestion, wrap carpet around them like we did. It gives them way better grip. Also, they all want to be on that top bar. They use the lower ones to get up there but not roost on. I suggest making sure you have enough length on your top bar, however you choose to design it, for all of your chickens to fit on. My mom usually has 15 chickens on average. The shed seems to have been a great idea so far. Good luck!
Have you noticed any condensation problems inside ? Does the tin produce excess moisture?
So far we've had no problems like that as air can flow through it from the bottom and top. So no moisture problems from temperature changes and none to speak of from rain either. I have been very pleased with it these three months so far
How do you keep it cool in the summer. We're building the same thing. Any updates?!
Hey Sharen, the shed is holding up beautifully. Last June I installed two solar powered fans in the gables to draw hot air out from the top and cooler air in from the bottom. They definitely do that but don't really seem to cool it down any more than a few degrees. This summer I'll try a sun blocking canopy instead. The chickens don't seem to care and none of them had any problems in it regardless of the temps during the summer or winter. Good luck with yours
How was it through the summer? The metal doesn’t make the shed too hot?
It has been through 2 Texas summers and at the top of the roof I've measured it at as high as 104⁰. I installed the double solar power fans in the gable and you can feel it pushing that hot air out though the temp doesn't seem to drop. Having said that...the chickens do not seem to care and we've never lost one in there BUT they have that opening in the video to their caged enclosure. Not that they've ever been smart enough to know better but so far, it has been awesome. Good luck!
Is a base necessary for the shed? Can I put it directly on the ground?
In my opinion it is. These sheds are built out of the flimsiest materials and get their strength as an assembled unit. The base is the thing that keeps everything in shape and place. It is possible to build it without one though but you may have trouble lining everything up during assembly as well as other problems.
@@1hornet1 Yeah you're probably right about that. I saw that lowe's has an anchor kit available. I think that raising it up like you did and then putting hardware cloth and stones would likely be a good idea to increase ventilation. I think what I'll do is run power to it so I can put some windows in and an exhaust fan or two. How is your coop holding up in the Texas heat? We've been over 100 in the heat index lately where I'm at and a big concern for me atm is going to be temperature.
@@KirballsKeys Ours is holding up very well and the chickens don't seem to care about the heat in it. In June I installed two solar powered fans in the gable above the doors to push the hot air out of the top and hopefully draw cool air from the shaded coop cage at the bottom. You can feel those fans pushing a lot of hot air out of it but is doesn't seem to affect the temperature. I have two remote sensors hanging in the middle of that shed in all directions and it gets up to 109 in there regardless. The fans were only $60 and if they do not have direct sunlight on them, they do not turn at all. Hopefully, someone has a video with a setup like you want to use but as for next summer, I plan on trying to put a shade sail over it. Honestly, we have not had any chickens care about the temp in there. They still go in and lay their eggs during the day and seem to be fine. Good luck!
@@1hornet1 did you cut in additional ventilation at the top? I purchased the same shed then found your video. I plan to cut some squares out along the top and reinforce them so structural integrity is there. And possibly some windows for light.
@@KirballsKeys So I did not cut any additional vents just for the reason I wanted to keep the shed as dry as possible on the inside. I have only cut two circles for the fans and I am going to put a rain visor on them. I like your idea though and if I can get some sort of shade over the shed I may do that as well. We have another month of ridiculous temps so I will assess how everything went and make more mods then. I would like to see how yours turns out if you make a video.
May have missed it, but why was there no bottom built for the shed to enclose it?
I chose not to put a bottom in it for two reasons. #1 Chickens are in it and they crap everywhere. Which they do in the dirt too but it's been our experience that them crapping on things ruins it quick and causes me more work. #2 is that I want air to flow through the bottom. Soon we are going to add vent fans to really circulate air from the bottom to top during the summer months.
@@1hornet1 okay, thank you! We are trying to figure out how to use one of these for a chicken coop but have Canadian winters 😊
@@rmartin3858 getting an 5x4 metal shed. Live in Washington state, so close to south bc weather. Hope your birds are doing well. Reading there cold isn't as bad for them as you'd think as long as there's dry the whole time. Have to watch our when we get them and see.
Do you know how many chickens can fit in here comfortably?
My mother houses 16 chickens in it with no problems. She has 5 nesting boxes which so far seems to be enough.
@@1hornet1 Thank you!!