Free shipping boxes, do they really exist??

[ECBW]

Dumpsters at construction sites. Just keep your eyes peeled. I saw a pile of nice lumber and plywood at a office park from a building getting new HVAC. Unfortunately, I had just built me coop.

Demolition sites are great for not only wood, sometimes windows, doors, hardwares, etc.

 

[Oregon Blues]

The large wooden packing crates are used by the moving van companies for international moves. They are big enough to walk into.

It used to be law that they had to use new crates for every move. I don't know if that is still true, or if they sterilize them and reuse them. You could call them and ask.

I've seen ATVs arriving in crates, but they are not solid crates. More like pallets with slated sides. Not any more useful than a pallet would be. You'd still have to take it apart.

I've seen tile and brick being shipped in wooden crates. Also landscape rock.

 

[rpchris]

It seems every time I am in one of those big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc) I am dodging a forklift moving a pallet of something from one spot to another or I'm stuck waiting for the aisle to open up so I can get the one item I need. Why they can't do that at night when the store is closed is beyond me, but I digress... I don't know what these stores do with all their used pallets but you could ask, or just drive around to the back and take a look.

 

[mountaintopchicken]

OP here, thanks for all of the replies. I'm going to see if there are any moving companies in my area. We are very rural with all small cities (3 of them) 45 minutes away in different directions. That might be part of my problem. I have plenty of the regular sized pallets but was hoping for a pre-made box for super easy and cheap. I'm trying for the cheapest, easiest coop possible for my 5th coop.

I am now working on getting some giant pallets that they use to deliver hot tubs on. I saw them in back of a hot tub/appliance dealer and asked them, but they were super unfriendly - basically the pallets were available and free but they wanted me to buy an appliance before they would give them to me. So now I'm trying to find other hot tub dealers that might be more friendly. The pallets I saw were about 8' x 8' with bright new sturdy looking wood. I would love to take home 5 of them!

 

[Whispering Winds]

I see them on burn piles all over the place around here. Try a Tractor Services and Sales. . . Call the bus barn/maintenance shed at your local schools. I got some there I saw on their burn pile one year.

 

[AuroraSprings]

What about your feed store? They usually have pallets.

 

[ECBW]

It is all about money. Some companies can resell their crates or pallets. Some are their garbage and they would not mind lightening the load. That is why I hardly ever get a rejection when dumpster diving.

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

I got mine today, wanted got get 3, but hubby did not bring the trailer, and he got all pissy as we were driving to get it.

Traffic, 35 miles one way, and he had to delay mowing some yards because of it. I asked him the beginning of the week, if today would be okay to go, and he said yes. So I was only able to get 1 shipping crate, disassembled. I wish I knew someone near me who wanted some and I would pay for half the gas to go up & back. This place is near DFW, and has lots of them available. I guy ahead of us got two that were still assembled.

 

[OneTenthAcreAndAChicken]

Sometimes I cruise craigslist for several weeks when I'm looking for something. I've definitely seen big shipping crates listed there, but they're not very common.

 

[Islavista]

I got a bunch of free shipping boxes on https://boxgiver.com/