Large inexpensive coop options?

[21hens-incharge]

I need to build or buy a larger coop since I am planning on getting about 30 more chickens when I can. I'll need a coop that can fit about 50-60 chickens. I've been told my best bet is to buy a shed or carport to renovate into a coop, but I don't really want to spend $2500+ on a coop. Are there any options to build or buy a low-cost coop for this many chickens?

Hoop coop maybe....

 

[AquaDuck]

What climate are you in? Does the coop need to be fully isolated, or will they spend most of their time in the run? If you're in a hot climate, you can save building materials by using chicken wire or hardware cloth on parts of it.
I bought a perfectly functional caravan for 100 $ and it's now my duck house. If you live by the coast, used shipping containers can come relatively cheap.

 

[flyin-lowe]

It might be tough trying to get something that is suitable for 60 chickens and under 2500.00. Unless you just happen to find some type of shed on craigslist/used then you will have to build one yourself. If your budget is firm you might be better off planning on fewer chickens and having a quality coop. Using a sub par coop just to have more birds can be bad.

 

[Compost King]

if saving money is your biggest issue... pallets, get lots of free pallets... you still need to spend money on roofing and doors and possibly hardware cloth for vents.. but most of my coops are built from discarded materials including pallets and crates (tractor supply this time of year has all sorts of discarded crates by their dumpsters). I have an 8 by 8 coop I just built where I only paid for hinges, roofing panels and hardware cloth. (and screws)

 

[archeryrob]

I agree with Compost King and I am doing that right now. My coop is 4' wide and 80" long as that is the dimension of the pallet lumber. I will say, it would really help to have experience building things as I have and using scrape wood as pallets is challenging. This is my second coop and the first one had 2x4's plywood floor and roof, but use rough cut lumber as siding. That cost about $120 for the rough cut to make the door and all the siding.

Now, this mid sized pallet coop is also used 10# of exterior screws to put ll the siding on and build the door. So there is $50+ alone not counting the 3" screws.

 

[Ghosty]

I see 18 x 21 x 6 carports for 1k. You might be able to find a used one that is less expensive.

 

[Kris5902]

I think it also depends on the predator pressures you have in your area... I buy hardware cloth by the roll, it’s cheaper that way and I can always find uses for more... usually on even more chicken housing I agree on the pallet idea, if you have the time and patience to collect, clean the nails out and accumulate enough of them they are a great resource. Hardware always ends up being the most expensive part of all my projects it seems!

 

[Kris5902]

I Also think the caravan/RV is a good bet... there are five here on the island I live on being used that way, the shells are fairly easy to predator proof almost as many RV coops as chicken keepers, they can be quite derelict and you might be able to find one for the cost of removal. Gut it, knock out some windows and replace with hardware cloth, tarp it up because you know it’s probably leaking... and presto a coop, you may want several, but it gets the job done quickly.

 

[Compost King]

I Also think the caravan/RV is a good bet... there are five here on the island I live on being used that way, the shells are fairly easy to predator proof almost as many RV coops as chicken keepers, they can be quite derelict and you might be able to find one for the cost of removal. Gut it, knock out some windows and replace with hardware cloth, tarp it up because you know it’s probably leaking... and presto a coop, you may want several, but it gets the job done quickly.

I had no way of getting home and I would hate to have to get rid of it when I sell my house but I saw an old school bus that was broken down beyond repair and could be purchased for about the price of scrap metal (I didn't inquire on the exact price). I figured that would make a great cheap coop if you can find shade to park it under.

 

[Kris5902]

If you’re rural enough, or lucky enough to find one that can still roll, then you’re in good shape! Now if only the cousin-in-law by marriage, once removed wasn’t planning on turning her failed coffeeshop/cafe double decker bus into a B&B... (two careers to avoid if you’re not willing to work hard in the early morning Farming and Coffee Shops!) Just think how many chickens you could fit in a double decker!