Reclaimed Wood

[LadyVictorian]

So I was curious to see if anyone else had built a coop/runs/anything else with reclaimed wood or pallet wood. I work at TSC which means I virtually have a never ending supply of leftover crates and pallets from our delivery trucks and I have decided to start trying to build some stuff for my chickens using it. Already have about 4 pallets I am pulling apart and a large crate I am converting into a temporary chick pen to bring the spring chicks outside once they are older so they can scratch around safely. I would love to see any pics people might have of stuff they built from reclaimed wood or pallet wood to get some idea's on a coop to build. In the meantime the chickens will live in a refurbished 10x18 horse stall.

 

[culturalinfidel]

The exterior walls of my coop will be built out of reclaimed privacy fence fence panels. Hope to pick them up this weekend actually.

 

[Dmontgomery]

Do a search for a BYC member named xxcody2gunsxx. He built an entire "chicken village" out of pallets and reclaimed material. He started very small then just kept expanding it.

 

[laura s]

TThe first coop I constructed using pallets. It was a fun project. The second was made from fence slats.

 

[laura s]

Saws all is the easiest way I found to take pallets apart. I started with a hammer and crowbar but that was ridiculous and I broke a lot of wood.

 

[Tuscola Clucks]

I also like the nail heads staying in place, seems cool. Especally if I do my rustic Saloon styled chicken house. 

If you want to make sure the nail heads stay on, put a piece of tape on them before cutting, then a dab of clear drying glue on the underside after. They don't always stay on by themselves. Good luck with your coop! Sounds awesome!

 

[dustcover]

Other than landscape timbers used as posts, the coop and roof were made from pallets, fence boards, and miscellaneous scrap wood.



For step by step construction process, check out my photobucket:

http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/rarob1dustcover/library/coop?sort=2&page=1

 

[Weehopper]

Try Googling web sites for making things out of pallets

 

[Daox13]

it can be done and has been done. Google images will be your friend and even this forum has a few pallet coops. I used fence boards for mine. when there's a will there's a way.

 

[Tuscola Clucks]

Everything you see in this picture is upcycled materials, or cull material purchased for pennies on the dollar. I used rough sawn hardwood dunnage I picked up from a fire sprinkler company for the framing. That wood was impossible to work with! It was like trying to drive a nail into cement! I had to pre-drill all my nail holes (screws less than 1/4" lags would snap) and burned through a half dozen drill bits doing so. When I was done, however, I could've parked my truck on top of it! My point is, building with upcycled materials is great and can be done, but just know it does come with its caveats. The awesome part: I built that coop for just a hair over $90 and the only materials I bought new (besides drill bits, nails and metal brackets) was the corrugated plastic roofing panels. Definite win in my book!