Any idea for an inexpensive coop?

[happymom99]

Hello. I know recycled materials help to bring costs down but other than that, does anyone have any good ideas for inexpensive coops? I am shocked by how expensive I've learned it is to build a coop. I had no idea materials cost so much! Spending $300 or $400 on a coop is not in the budget right now. Even if it isn’t the most beautiful set-up, I’d love to figure out an inexpensive way to house the chickens until we can build the coop of our dreams. We are looking at getting 5 chickens and I live in Southern California and have fairly temperate weather. Any suggestions?

Thank you,
CJ

 

[linben]

Look on Craigslist for used play houses, sheds, large dog houses, coops etc.....I have seen some nice ones on here made with pallets (free). I saw a large hutch on the side of the road the other day and my first thought was in would make a good coop, but I already have one...

 

[hennyannie]

My overflow coop(LOL) is just a 10x10x6 chainlink dog kennel with a top added and a large igloo doghouse that came free with the $75 kennel. I have a hook in there for a feeder and even a homemade nest box. Look around local ads, people who buy these kennels usually dont keep them long.

 

[floyd242]

90% of the wood in the coop I'm building came from the home depot culled lumber section or from craigslist. The paint I'm going to use came from the oops paint section at home depot ($5/gallon). Although it did take me a couple of months of going into home depot a few times a week to find everything... luckily it's on my way home from work.

 

[glisson_family_farms]

its not finished in this pic

but thats big enuff for 5 to 6 hens all you would have to do is put a roof on it

 

[goldtopper]

I did get a heavy duty swingset for free from craigslist. Took it apart and made a coop. I also got lots of free fencing off of CL as well as some scrap lumber and windows. I figured I was good- until I had to buy all of the hardware cloth, hinges, nails, screws, flashing, caulk, siding, vents and gosh knows what else. I suppose I've got $400 into it, even with all of the freebies.
Starting out repurposing is like banana bread- bananas are the cheapest part of the deal- it's everything else that costs money.

This is a backshot before completing the run that extends from the coop to the end of the 12' header. The bottom is an open run under the coop as well, all hardware-clothed.

 

[melroseladi]

I have picked up a few things on CL, a heavy duty 5 x 20 dog run, that is expandable. I was given an igloo dog house. I converted a night stand to a small coop to hold my 2 silkies temporarily. I am going to build a hoop coop for my silkies using pvc and recycled wood. I also found an old hunters box, 3 x 6 x7 that I am going to convert for the chickens.

What I am finding, is that although I would really like to have a nice and fancy coop BUT the chickens really could care less AND it is more important for me right now to have chickens then it is on a fancy coop. Giving them a safe and healthy place to roost and lay eggs, if they so choose, is more important then an expensive coop.

Build what you can with materials you can get free or cheaply and put your main budget on the hardware cloth. Remember, paint can make anything look good.

 

[happymom99]

Thanks, everyone. I think we may have to go with an A-frame to start and just keep an eye out for materials. I never heard of culled wood so that was good to learn.

Free wood pallet were mentioned. Where can I get those?

Thank you!

CJ

 

[SDR]

Search for pallets by cruising the industrial area. Occasionally places that get a lot will even post a sign saying free pallets. When you see a stack next to a building just stop to ask if you can have some. Keep in mind there is a small cottage industry reclaiming pallets where guys take the good pallets, replace broken pieces and sell them to companies that ship on them at a fraction of what they can be had for new. In other words your timing might have to be just right to beat the "pallet guy" to the better pallets, so you may need to cruise daily.

Also if you see any that are painted blue or red don't even bother with those. Those are owned by big pallet leasing companies and typically there is a deposit on those. If by chance you did get some and the pallet company rep that gathers strays sees their pallets on your coop they do have a legal right to repossess.

 

[HappyChickenLover]

I can allways find free lumber to use 2"x2" 2"x4" 4"x4" 1"x8" then all u need is chicken wire for cheapest walls. Usually finding sheet metal for free too