Least inexpensive coop that still looks nice

[Hummingbird Hollow]

There is a great location for cheap building supplies called The RE-Store, which is sort of like Goodwill or Salvation Army for Habitat for Humanity. I've picked up lots of things like hinges, windows, doors, linoleum, drawers for nesting boxes ($.50/each) there. Lumber, interior paneling, plywood are sometimes available but get grabbed up quickly. I'm almost done with my 4'X8' coop (fully insulated) with a run underneath plus and additional 6'X9' run and have spent somewhere between $250 and $300, mostly spent on 2"X4"s and chicken wire. Lots of the materials are left over or reused from various building and remodeling projects, You might look on-line or in the yellow pages for salvage or reclaimed building supplies as well.

 

[oneofseven]

I have found several nice things on the street curb before trash day. Especially dressers which make nice frames for nesting boxes (drawers). Also, check your local online " Freecycle"

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

If you haven't heard of freecycle you should look it up. Its like craigslist, but free! Just one section that everyone posts their haves/wants on, and you can get great things!
I am building a coop right now attempting to spend no more money than the bit it cost for washers to help hold the roof on. I am going 99% recycled materials (gotta use up that scrap wood that came with the house somehow!) The frame for my new chicken run used to be my neighbor's portable garage. Cover disintigrated, so they didn't want it. The door is an old screen door that the screen got torn up on. I will replace it with chicken wire, to match the walls and roof (yeah, hardware cloth is spendy and my dogs keep the yard pretty secure. I lock the chickens in at night too, so run security is not a big problem) I got a HUGE roll of chicken wire from freecycle.
I have lots of misc. building materials lying around, hence my determination not to spend money. I bet you could get lots of free/cheap materials off of freecycle. You just have to decide where on the time-money spectrum you want to be. The more you are willing to spend, the easier and faster it will be to make. The cheaper it is, the more likely it is that you will have to patch, splice, and pull nails out of your scraps to make them useable.
Great things to look for are: old pallats, protable garage/canopy/greenhouse frames, used doors, sheds, dog kennels, and construction sites that will give you scraps.

As far as looking nice, the big thing is how you put it together. And a coat of paint can do wonders!
Good luck!

 

[blessedmamato3]

Wow!!! Y'all are incredibly helpful! Thank you! Once I get a chance to sit down, I'm going to go through all of this.

Oh and I had to chuckle about the typo in my title. Should be least expensive, but y'all already know that, I'm sure

.

 

[classicsredone]

Quote:
ReStore is great. I recommend visiting a few times because it can be hit or miss like a thrift store might be. They have a ton of spare wood, tiles, fencing, etc. in our area. You could even get stuff to build an outdoor processing area if you decide to do meaties in the future.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

It also makes me feel good that what money I am spending at ReStore is going to a good cause.

 

[maizy'smom]

Our 4' x 8' coop cost us about $250......JUST for materials. If you happen to have your own tools (nail guns, cordless screw-drivers, portable table saws, radial arm saws....cool toys!), you should be fine. Our dear friend/carpenter even donated a five-hour day, and we still spent close to $1000 on him. We did all we could ourselves, too. We also used salvaged, donated, found, and recycled materials whenever possible. But, it's up, it's done, the girls are in, and we've all had a blast! Good luck and have fun!!

mm