How to Convert Sheds Into Chicken Coops

Raising chickens for fun, meat or eggs can be done by anyone with a small location for the chickens to eat, drink, and sleep in safety. A secure location can be an unused shed in your yard. Converting a shed to a coop is easy, but needs to be done with the chickens' comfort, health and safety in mind. You will need to install a new door dedicated to the chickens because a large shed door will let other birds and animals get in to eat the chickens or their feed. If you have layers, you will also have to install a small lamp on a timer to maintain 12-plus hours of light during the winter, perches and nests.

Things You'll Need

  • Drill
  • Jigsaw
  • Tamper-proof latch
  • Hinges
  • Water dispenser
  • Feeder
  • 1x2-inch perch
  • Insulation (optional)
  • Window (optional)
  • Vent (optional)
  • Wood sheeting (optional)
  • Timer
  • Outdoor light
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clear the shed and sweep the floor to be sure that it's free of nails or glass pieces. Make a small, 16-inch-by-16-inch door between two studs of the shed. Use a drill to cut a hole large enough for the jigsaw to get in and cut the door out. Install a tamper-proof latch on the door.

    • 2

      Install a window if the coop does not have one. Cut a hole between two studs and use the same technique as in Step 1 to make the hole. Caulk the edge of the window so rain won't enter the shed.

    • 3

      Install perches at various heights in your shed, and install enough so that each chicken has 8 inches of space. Install the perches on the opposite side of the large door so that they do not get in the way of refilling water and feed. Cut two 5-feet long, 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber, and nail them to the wall at a 45-degree angle. Use a 1-by-2-inch piece to make the perches by nailing them horizontally on the 2-by-4-inch piece of lumber every foot, starting 1 foot from the ground.

    • 4

      Install an outdoor outlet inside the coop. Plug a programmable outlet timer between the outlet and a small outdoor 25W lamp. Program the timer to turn on at 6 a.m. and turn off when it is light, and turn on when the light fades and turn back off at 8 p.m.

    • 5

      Install the feeder and water dispenser near the chicken door to be sure they eat and drink enough. Hang the feeder and water dispenser from the ceiling or from a hanger made of 2-by-4-inch lumber. Get a small straw bale or bags of wood shavings to use a bedding and spread it on the floor.