chicken coop under $300

[waddles99]

Anyone know of any good FREE plans for a coop that could be build for under $300? Probably is going to need to hold around 2 dozen medium large layers. Thanks so much

 

[ChickCrazed]

For that many birds I would be glued to craigslist waiting for a cheap shed to be listed. You will have to figure out how to move it yourself. At 4 sq. ft per bird. you are looking at 48 sq ft for your coop. It will be difficult to get lumber and fixtures for that size coop for $300.

Modifying a cheap/free shed will give you plenty of space and modification should be easy, install roosts and nest boxes and cut a pop door.

 

[CrazyTalk]

You can build an 8x8 shed for around $300, as long as you're willing to use (and paint) OSB, and use metal roofing.

 

[ChickCrazed]

Very true, but OSB won't hold up to a determined predator. A lady that took some birds from me last winter lost them all a couple of months later because a racoon chewed a hole in the OSB wall one night. Since it is made from wood particles glued together it isn't super sturdy.

If building something is important you can always get free pallets, rip them down and build something from them. There are examples all over BYC. It is a lot of work to tear apart pallets though, just a warning!

 

[CrazyTalk]

Plywood is made from wood particles glued together also. OSB is plenty sturdy if its protected correctly - if its not, it'll fall apart.

Are you sure the woman's coop wasn't particle board, or handyboard, or something along those lines? If raccoons are chewing through standard 3/4" OSB that's properly painted and the edges sealed, nothing is keeping them out. (OSB is actually structurally stronger than plywood)

 

[RichnSteph]

I bought a 7x5x8 storage vault for 100$ off of craigslist and turned it into a coop. Well I actually bought 3 of them for 100$ a piece and turned two of them into a storage shed and then used the left over parts from those two to outfit the coop one with nesting boxes and things. I don't know if it would be enough room for you with just one but you could get two of them like I did for my shed and you'd have a 10x7x8 coop for 200$.