Chicken Coop Construction for the Poor and Unhandy

[coffeelady3]

The think that saved me the most money was the Habitat for Humanity Restore that I found in my city. They didn't have a lot of wood on hand, but I got hinges, different types of closures, screws, nails, all for cheap. My favorite find was the opened can of exterior latex pain that I got for 50 cents! And, the proceeds benefit a great cause. See if there's one in your area.

 

[JennsPeeps]

coffeelady3 - We've been casing that same store! heh DBF got lots of hinges & stuff there, including a nice gate hardware set for the run. He is using gate hardware on ALL the coop openings - cleaning access door, nesting box access, and run opening - to help prevent raccoon invasions. We'll put some sort of thingy (4a can't sleep or remember nouns) on it to keep them out. It's going to be super solid. I'm not sure yet how we'll get the coop in place with just 2 of us!

Construction salvage places are great not only for for good deals but are also environmentally friendly. To bad the best ones are in Seattle. I could go spend HOURS in them.

Reduce
Reuse
Recycle... in that order!

 

[herbandteas]

]Dh and I slapped this 4'x4' two story coop together with materials gathered from the trash piles of a new housing project. Just ask permission from the foreman of the site first.

These are all great tips and your coop looks nice.

 

[Sheri&Paige]

We built a 10ft x 8ft x 8ft tall A-frame design for under $200. I got some pallets from a construction site, cut and covered them with poultry wire to make their roosts and nesting box platforms. We have 4ft of the coop covered with plastic siding and the rest is open for their yard. You can find quite a bit of scrap from sites and most the time the guys will just give it to you without hassle.

 

[ccrecelius]

Quote:
Did it come in a box? That is what I was given by my ex-husband to build for our daughter's coop. I am still not finished! I have never saw so many screws and bolt and nuts and piece in my life. He didn't come around for a week while I was building it. Lucky for him, because I was so frustrated that I would have caused him some bodily pain!

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Sometimes you don't have to choose between the pretty coop and the inexpensive coop. Sometimes you can have both!

We were given this by the sister of a friend, but if you watch Freecycle & Craigslist, you might be able to pick up something similar there.

We have no building skills either, but we researched on the net and gathered some wood for the flooring and run, some hardware cloth for the windows and run, paint, and some plastic corrugated paneling to keep the rain out of the run. We bought the materials (about $200) but you could certainly use all the great suggestions here and pick them up for free or nearly so.

Now our coop looks like this:

Believe me, if we can do it, anyone can!

 

[AzEquine]

I am capable of doing better but with lack of funds and time-
Here is what I call the second depression coop-
I also call it fort knots because I tied the roof to the chain link with bailing twine Lol...

The roof is "woven" bamboo , shade cloth and chicken wire to keep the wind from tearing it up...


JoAnn in Arizona

 

[Yanna]

Quote:
Wow~! Now THIS is an example of using what you have on hand. Did you have to purchase anything to make this?

 

[Robin'sBrood]

My DH made the same motherearthnews coop as post #8 for me for my birthday this year. He used 1"x 2" welded wire all the way around which made it sturdy enough to not have to use any wood. I bought a large barnstyle dog house from Tractor Supply for $60. Total cost, including the dog house, was about $150. Not too bad and my birds don't complain, especially since they get to come out of it each day.

 

[julietma]

This is such an informative thread! I'm new here, and new to pet chickens. I've been looking for a simple, portable and inexpensive-to-build coop, and here are my answers!

BTW, Yanna, where in Chicago are you located? I'm near Midway airport.