[BML]

What do you want to do ?CopyWhen we moved into the Bungalow where we now live twenty years ago I used a 6 X 8 shed that was already there for the accommodation of our three chickens at the end of the back garden overlooking a beautifully large field with Deer, rabbits and other wildlife running through it. As we wanted to keep the view I cut the top of the shed off and built a slopping roof with a three inch layer of roofing insulation included. As we knew there were Rats in the area I used two layers of close wire mesh under the whole structure building a nesting box lining it with 2 inch polyester insulation.
Since then a poor poverty stricken Farmer has sold the field to speculators and the view is now insulted by dozens of Pete Seegar little boxes, the slums of tomorrow.
 A few days ago while feeding my chickens I saw something move very rapidly across the floor of their run disappearing through a hole in the floor of their house which I assume was a rat and it is now my intention to demolish the Chicken house replacing it with a Metal shed. Does anyone have a view on such structures?
 

[Fleecewife]

Metal sheds are very cold and prone to condensation, so be sure to line it.  Also be careful with sealing it along the bottom - if you are standing  it on a concrete base, there will be inevitable gaps where metal and concrete meet. The rats will still be there too, so will get in through the pop hole even during the day - try to get rid of them before the new shed goes up.  We have noticed with our brand new metal garden shed that where the roof panels are bolted, the rain comes in at a couple of points - we can stand a bucket under them, but not in a hen house. You will need free standing nest boxes.


To hide the now bad view, plant tall trees and dense shrubs like holly as far away from your viewpoint as you can, so you are not shaded but the new boxes will be hidden in a few years.

[doganjo]

Wood heavy duty plastic maybe suffice?  I know rats can chew plastic but the thicker stuff is less likely.

My chicken run is made of galvanised dog run panels bolted together, and sits on chicken wire, wrapped up teh sides a good bit.  They have a normal wooden rabbit hutch to live in - but I only have four wyandottes

[BML]

What do you want to do ?Copy I wonder how thick the insulation should be and if it should be glued to the surface of the metal so as to avoid condensation. As to gaps where the shed stands on concreate I intend to screw the shed to the concrete. When we had rats before I tried everything from a shotgun to air rifles to traps and poison and none really worked and then about the only benefit of the new estate was that the rats disappeared but I think the regular downpour’s we’ve had has driven from where they were to hear.There is obviously no point in asking the Local Authority to help.

 

[macgro7]

How about something like that instead?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coop-for-12-laying-hens-in-Galvanized-Ducks-Quail-scorriuovo-/123022178551?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

I really want to buy something like that - metal, open sides (so good ventilation), we don't get hard frosts in here except for several of days a year at most so its OK. Especially for the summer. Poo falls down, the whole structure can be hosed down, is off the ground so rat proof - including feeders, drinkers and nest boxes.
You can put it inside a run or even attach wheels so you can move it around for free ranging.

[Fleecewife]

With that house up here, we would have ready-frozen chicken, flattened against the sides by the wind - freeze-dried in fact. Italy is a different world!

[Fleecewife]

                                 I wonder how thick the insulation should be and if it should be glued to the surface of the metal so as to avoid condensation. As to gaps where the shed stands on concreate I intend to screw the shed to the concrete. When we had rats before I tried everything from a shotgun to air rifles to traps and poison and none really worked and then about the only benefit of the new estate was that the rats disappeared but I think the regular downpour’s we’ve had has driven from where they were to hear.There is obviously no point in asking the Local Authority to help.

Hens would peck at bare insulation, probably to their detriment.  We used poly something sheets, which fitted against the wall and roof panels, then screwed plywood sheets over the top.
Our shed is bolted down against the wind, but there are still small gaps which allow the rain to blow under the edge, so a line of caulk or whatever stops that.

[chrismahon]

We have metal roofs on some of the outbuildings here. They get baking hot in Summer (56C once) and freezing cold in Winter with bad condensation. One roof has been insulated against heat with a 25mm air gap for condensation which works in combination with apex vents. Problem is with a chicken house it could at any time become infested with red mite so all the insulation would need to come out. Yes, hens do peck at insulation as we've had that happen to a polytunnel frame.


All our coops are wooden and on 18" stilts, so no rats digging under them or through them. Access to the pop-holes are via steps. We have rats, but none near the coops.

[Richmond]

Wooden houses on legs here too and no ramps either. Chickens jump/flutter up into the houses.

Metal housing would be far too cold in winter and hot in summer and if lined with insulation there will be a red mite issue at some point.