Coop Designs not a big help

[Schroeder]

I searched and researched for many months before deciding on the coop I wanted. I'm now in the middle of building one 6x6x6, based on the plans available at: http://www.buildeazy.com/chicken_coop_1.html

Truthfully I wanted a larger one, but I wanted to keep the cost as low as possible, yet have it support a small flock and last for many years. This one is just large enough to stand up in it, and it has a small storage area. More storage would definitely be desirable. I'm modifying the plan to have it elevated on 4 x 4 posts.

I've salvaged a lot of material to reduce cost but I'll end up spending several hundred dollars. Maybe you could start with the basic design and upgrade later with shingles, windows, etc. as funds permit.

 

[Schroeder]

Oh, one more thing. In the Indianapolis area, and elswhere I'm sure, Habitat fo Humanity has a a store operation to sell building supplies not used on their projects. You can get doors, windows and other building materials for a small fraction of retail. Since you can build to suit the sizes that are available, this may be a good option for you.

 

[TurtleChick]

Oh, one more thing. In the Indianapolis area, and elswhere I'm sure, Habitat fo Humanity has a a store operation to sell building supplies not used on their projects. You can get doors, windows and other building materials for a small fraction of retail. Since you can build to suit the sizes that are available, this may be a good option for you.

i was just going to say the same thing! we're in western washington state, and we have a habitat for humanity store, too - fabulous source. you could find windows, flooring, lumber, paint, etc.!

also, check on craigslist or freecycle to see if you can find people getting rid of rabbit hutches/dog houses/playhouses/materials on the cheap. be surprised what some people might be ready to throw away!

have you paged through all of the coops in the byc coops pages? lots of imagination-sparking material there!!! good luck!​

 

[Heather J]

I bought a door from habitat--solid metal exterior door with frame (I had to buy a new threshold) and handle/deadbolt (no keys, but I installed it backward so I lock both of them on the outside to discourage raccoons, BUT I'll eventually replace with a round handle) $20, My dad sells doors and said I saved about $200.

They have lots of other great things there. You can also buy cull lumber at Home Depot--I check whenever I'm near one with a few minute's time and have gotten some really great deals.

Just a suggestion--if you put large access doors on either side of the coop (the 8 foot side) and put it a couple of feet up off the ground, it would be less expensive to make it 8x4x4, since OSB and plywood come in 4x8 sheets. Then the floor would be accessible without quite as much leaning over and your cost would be less. As an added bous, if you live in a treeless area like me, the chickens will use the extra shade beneath the coop in summer, and a place out of rain and snow. Just a thought. Good luck!

 

[erin0415]

This might not be anything like what you want to build, but I built this coop out of scrap materials. All I bought was the hardware for the doors and 2 pieces of 8X4 plywood- one 1/4 inch thick, the other 5/8 I think. I spent about $40. I plan on getting some mistinted paint from Lowes or Walmart to finish it up. I made the size to accomodate the roof- its about 11 ft X 3.5 ft. I have another chicken coop I built that I can walk in that is 8X4 and 8 ft tall- but I really like this one better. Its not somewhere that chickens that don't have a large run or freerange could stay in, but it works great for me. Right now it is a great brooder for my silkie babies. The 2 front doors open to allow easy access for cleaning. The plywood slides in to cover the hardware cloth when its cold, or I can leave them off if it is hot. In the pic the plywood is still hanging on the edges on either side, but it pulls completely out. The roost runs the length of the coop and there is a nesting box on either end.

 

[Ottoman]

My 2 cents, Construction sites throw a lot of scrap lumber away. Usley in big dumpers on the site. I have gone in after hours and got some good lumber.

Also small logging companies or private people will buy a machine that cuts logs. When a tree is cut square the long round planks are discarded into piles and latter burned. Many, many, years ago I built a 10 X 10 coop with these planks. I made a 2x4 frame then starting at the bottom, I nailed these planks working up as I went, and overlapped them as I went. It was almost all free.

Good luck