Is this totally unreasonable?

[CoyoteMagic]

Check Craigslist for Little Tykes Playhouses and dog kennels. I got 2- 10x10 dog kennels off Freecycle for nothing!!

 

[cogorman]

I'm almost finished with my coop which will house 5-6 hens (one might be going rooster on me). I took this picture yesterday as my flock took it for a test run. I've spent just under $200 dollars so for. I've used all recycled materials that a friend and I sconged up. Maybe a little more if you count gas driving around looking. They only things I bought new were the roof panels (discontinued and on sale at Menards), fastners, and some of the latches and hinges. The hardware cloth was given to me by a friend (pure luck he had it). It can be done if you work at it!

 

[TwilightMom]

I would check Craigslist for your area and surrounding areas. Sometimes people sell their old coops on there. I live in the SF bay area and was looking for one on there. I found a couple of good ones but my husband really wanted to build one himself. Check the feedstores too. Sometimes they have a board where people sell things and animals. Good luck!

 

[NurseNettie]

Do a search for coop building here---- there are a few folks here that have done WONDERS with pallets and wood from them. I'm hoping to give it a shot myself one day!!

The other suggestions you've gotten here are great too-- craigslist, the free ads online and in the paper ( whatever you have local), you can check with contractors or local lumber yards to see what they do with their imperfect stuff, wood , etc, that gets broken, can't be sold, etc. Or, you can look in the free ads for sheds, playhouses, etc that are "free for the taking" if you've got a way to move and haul them..

Good luck, and post your results!!

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[Netherworldtaken]

I built my 4x4 coop and 8x8 run for about 300. Its definently possible to do it. Errors on my part sent it over budget but you can do it. Plus you say you have a run built already.

 

[BrianT]

I built my 4x4x8 coop for less than 30 bucks. Recycled lumber all the way. The money was spent on wire, hinges and a door latch. It will comfortably house 5-6 hens.

 

[TK421]

I started with an old dog run, and have nearly finished my coop and run for about $80. Good luck!

 

[Dogfish]

Check out building sites and ask them if you can raid their scrap pile.

 

[BirdBrain]

See if there is a large flooring wholesale supplier in your area. I have an acquaintance who works for such an outfit where I live and he brought me 20+ sheets of OSB that separated flooring materials for shipment. He said it was just going to get thrown out and he was glad to bring it to me.

I also saw a pile of what looked to be good wood at a plumbing supply place. I called the manager and told him that my kids and I were building 2 coops and a tree house this summer and wondered if any of that pile of wood might be available for our project. He said yes, and while we were there I spotted a crate that was nearly empty. Bold little me asked him if that was available as well and he not only gave it to me but had his guys take it apart and load it only my trailer for me. That stack of wood netted 20 straight 2x4s of various longish lengths, 4 4x4s and 2 lawn timbers. I had to take out a bunch of nails, but that was a breeze.

You might also call some place like Mayflower or Northwestern Van lines and see if they have any old shipping crates that you can use. I bought 6 new double hung, double pane windows from the Habitat Restore last fall for $10 each. There are always options!!