Inexpensive coop ideas please....

[tvett62]

So I am not an inexperienced chickie mom.. I've raised many like over 150 in about 8 years..... It's been a long while since I've had to build a coop and with 16 chicks coming in 3 weeks it's a huge topic of discussion in our house. Let me do a bit of back story. My hubby and I moved to a home on my daughter's property, she wanted to start raising chickens so I was all in. My hubby and I raised chickens and built coops many times over the 8 years that we had them so we are familiar with how too. Well jump ahead 10 years to today, and we didn't figure in the cost and how much it has jumped!!!! Well my hubs and I are now looking fo a more cost effective method to build a coop. We live in Michigan, the winters can be very tough or mild.... It's Michigan. So we know we have to make it snug and warm for winter. The cost of wood is ridiculously high. We are getting 16 chicks all dual purpose bigger breeds so we are planning a 8x6 or 8x8 size coop and a 10 x 16 run. ... Any good ideas for building on a budget please.....

 

[tvett62]

Has anyone made a strong sturdy warm coop from pallets?

 

[aart]

Big and roomy and well ventilated is better than 'warm'.

Here's some pallet coops for you to peruse:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/814434/?q=Pallet+coop&c[title_only]=1&o=relevance

 

[keeper 1960]

pallets work great.they are free. make a double wall and insulate.

 

[50-45-1]

Check your local craigslist adds each morning tying building supplies, lumber, boards, roofing, windows, doors. I see alot of stuff cheep or even free for clean up in trade.
Also if you have a local re-store. (If they are still open)
Most hardware and real lumber yards have a reject pile where they put stuff damaged in transit.
My husband got great deal at one of his suppliers on partial palat returns of cedar shake. Ended up paying about 1/3 of the origional cost.
Give them a call and see if they would sell at discount.
Good luck bargin shopping!

 

[Punkybrewster]

Find a store that sells riding lawn mowers. They are delivered to them in big shipping crates perfect for building a coop. One dealer near me advertises on craigslist. Free if you pick up.

 

[50-45-1]

I like that idea for quite a few projects.
Our OP is gettng 16 chickens and this would not be big enough for that.
I think what they will need will be a walk in coop.
We built ours four inches below the requirement for a building permit.

 

[Punkybrewster]

You grab 2 and put them together

 

[blackdog043]

Big and roomy and well ventilated is better than 'warm'.

This ^^^^^ and also free of drafts, link below for a good discussion.

My hubby and I raised chickens and built coops many times over the 8 years that we had them so we are familiar with how too.

Build what you need and you won't be building more coops, like you did before. Cry once, build once!

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

 

[tvett62]

Check your local craigslist adds each morning tying building supplies, lumber, boards, roofing, windows, doors. I see alot of stuff cheep or even free for clean up in trade.
Also if you have a local re-store. (If they are still open)
Most hardware and real lumber yards have a reject pile where they put stuff damaged in transit.
My husband got great deal at one of his suppliers on partial palat returns of cedar shake. Ended up paying about 1/3 of the origional cost.
Give them a call and see if they would sell at discount.
Good luck bargin shopping!

Thank you so much for the help. We will try these tips.