Inexpensive things to make a run? Buying all materials.

[Shellyb]

Hello. Well as a newbie to chickens we had no clue it would cost so much to build our coop. It's 6x6 and we've bought all the materials as my hubby wanted to use new materials so it would last longer. Anyway, we are almost up to 500 bucks and still not done, geez. Well, now I'm looking for ways to keep costs down for our run. Can anyone give me ideas as to what kinds of fencing and what kinds of posts to use for the run that might be a more reasonable approach. I want it to be 6 ft tall so I can go in it and want it completely enclosed. Thanks in advance. Shelly

 

[bmelanco]

Somebody posted today that Home Depot has 8' treated wood post on sale this week for $1.97 each. Thats a good start. What aobut letting them range without a fence?

 

[ChickenCat]

Yep, I think Lowe's has landscape timbers for just under $2.oo each. Use the 6 foot welded wire for the fencing. then you have to cover the top and put an apron around the outside. the welded wire may serve all of these needs. that's what we'll be doing with ours and putting electric fencing around the outside.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

our Home Depot has a 'cull' or scrap lumber cart. i clean them out every time i go and laugh laugh laugh at how much money i've saved. i've even gotten come cedar boards for $0.51!

the only thing is - most have been cut in half so you'll need to buy longer boards when you need them - but i use the short ones for the cross pieces for framing. and/or most of my coops/tractors are 4 ft or less anyway... so might as well get them 'pre-cut'

and i've gotten all types of plywood.

then dont be afraid to beg borrow or steal (well how about 'dumpster dive') - everyone has some stray lumber laying around that they'd love you to come and get. i've taken apart old sheds or shelving for the materials.

and pallets! dont forget the wooden shipping pallets companies get. i got a lot of teasin' for building the "hog hut 2008" with pallets - but i got the last laugh when = after it held 2 - 280lbs hogs the entire season last year - its still bone dry! this year's feeder pigs will go right in with nary a fix to the original structure.

and last - check craigslist for the materials section. you never know what you can find.

good luck!

 

[millerwb]

Where I live, the local newspaper GIVES away all the pallets that you want. I built my Brooder out of 50 year old pine that was shelving in a bathroom or something. I picked it up on the side of the street.

 

[jjamerb]

Heck, i built my chicken house out of pallets. You really don't want to skimp on wire fencing though. Make sure nothing can get in. With garden/landscape timbers for $2 you can get by using them as posts, and depending on the size of the run you want you can get good wire then.