What you need depends on where you are. I have mine currently in an 8x13 dog run with a tarp covering it. I put up 5 pallets, 1 on each end, 2 across the back and 1 on the front so it is open on 1 side. They are sitting on concrete blocks. I put roosting bars in the closed end and nest boxes in the other end. Because it is inside the run and under the tarp, I haven't put a roof on it yet and the chickens are enjoying roosting on top of one wall. Because I'm in Georgia, the open slats of the pallets allow air flow and I can wrap a tarp(s) around it in the winter if needed.
If you call around to some local stores, you can get pallets for free. I get mine from Office Max.
I realize this is small for your needs but that's the beauty of pallets, just add more as you need more space.
I got one of those prefab ones. I'm modifying it for this winter and my intentions are to build one next spring. I am just not sure about my building abilities. I keep getting stuck on windows and installing those the right way. I've got ideas in my head. Can't draw worth a crap, so that is no help.
The low tech less expensive window is a framed opening, covered in hardware cloth well secured. In winter, either an awning, or doubled clear plastic, secured with staples and wood strips.
Real windows come cheap at a Habitat Restore, in addition to doors. Shop there first! Exterior stain, hardware, all kinds of stuff!
Mary
and still, a hoop coop is sooo easy to build and can be done with the pallets as well... Ours have made 2 hwy moves totaling 40 miles, were originally moved around at first property but not at leased/temp property at a friends' home. Then they were moved a handful of times here, but the ground cover was sparse, sandy w/ coarse clumps of grasses/weeds/cacti and it was hard on the wooden joins to bump over that (even on the one that you put wheels on).
So they became permanent and I have ideas on to build portable tractor ones later. I love that I can stand up in mine, use a variety of roost & nesting box options - even a HUGE variety of roofing options. I've used feedbags stitched to the cattle panels as walls to stop wind, rain & the snow we do get here in NC. Because we have access to LOTS of cardboard thru the spay/neuter Vet clinic I work for, I can/have made temp walls (that lasted a very wet/rainy winter season into the next humid summer - 9 months total) from. Not the prettiest, but was expedient and sure did work and best of all - no charge, LOL - and replaceable when needed before wood walls were completed.
This place had 1/2 height (about 38-40" tall - will need to measure) pens that had flat "roofs" on them. Actually, 2 were open. Not sure if they ever had roofs. One is covered by flat 2x4 wire and the 4th has tin roofing on it (again - flat). We've used the cattle panels to raise the roofs & tarped them (for now). Two pens done, need to do the 3rd & 4th one.
Then we will also be hooping a larger run - the birds have figured out how to get/out of it when I want them to stay in it...
We also breed/raise Shetland ponies and I collect all the haystring (mostly orange poly) from both small squares and large round bales. I "wash" and "dry" the string to make it neater to take into home - roll into "tamales" and then proceed to weave, braid or crochet it into many different items. The projects this year have centered around woven panels made on a $7 Boye loom from Wal-mart to make covers on brooders and rabbit cages that are outside - as "shade cloth" and as a holder that you slide doubled feed bags (the woven plastic ones) under to keep the little chix warm/dry/draft free.
There are so many different ways to build a hoop coop - you could even try doing one w/o a wood frame or only a small portion of wood (CHECK OUT Blooie's run in WY, no less). Just depends on how you want to use them and how you want it to look. I have often taken the bent panels from TSC (Menards & Farm/Fleet in MT) at a lower cost - as much as 50% off ($10 instead of the current $22). I have also repurposed the bent/mangled panels that ponies have done a number on - to use for hoop coops, gates & doors for the hoop coops.
I've used bottom cracked buckets as pop doors and as nesting boxes. Use a tire for a dust bath.
I'm not the most computer literate person, sometimes still create major problems w/ hitting wrong keys in wrong sequences. BUT I'm learning how to use the FaceBook marketing app on my phone, FreeCycle for the 4 counties we live in the middle of (like the 4 corners of CO) and Craig's List. The ReStore in our nearest area closed/moved and I haven't located one that I can easily get to anymore - especially with my larger trk, but look forward to drooling over projects that could come to be again...
The low tech less expensive window is a framed opening, covered in hardware cloth well secured. In winter, either an awning, or doubled clear plastic, secured with staples and wood strips.
Real windows come cheap at a Habitat Restore, in addition to doors. Shop there first! Exterior stain, hardware, all kinds of stuff!
Mary
I use the rolled plastic sheeting, nearly clear in a double layer. It can last to be reused a couple of winters, and is inexpensive. Summer. Winter
Mary
