Transformations: Storage Shed Chicken Coop
This month, we’re dedicating our blog posts to a few of the many ways you can transform your outdoor structure from an empty shell usually meant for storage into something practical. In the last part of this three-part series we’ll talk about keeping chickens.
Today, many families are interested in self-sustaining lifestyles for health, environmental, or economic reasons. You don’t have to live on a farm to reap the benefits of fresh eggs or raising your own poultry.
Adding a chicken coop to your property is a bit easier when you start with a ready-made outdoor structure, such as the sheds offered at Valley Structures. Here are some things to consider:
- Each chicken will need about 4.5 square feet of space; think about your capacity! You don’t want overcrowding.
- You’ll want to install roost-shelving/nest boxes to give chickens a place to roost. Many coops use a 2×4 board as a roosting bar.
- Consider a droppings board, which would be installed under the roosting bar.
- Chickens can share nests—three nests for every eight chickens is a good rule of measure.
- Add in vents, windows, and doors. Vents and windows help with air circulation, and a door allows chickens to come out during the day for air and sun.
- A need for more fresh air – depending on how hot it gets where you live, you might need more ventilation. You could remove one or part of the wall panels, and add in wire mesh.
- Be sure to account for storage space for buckets, shovels, etc.
Once you have your coop set up, it’s time to get your flock!
