Lets see your Ugly Pallet Coop!!

[Desert Plum]

All these coops are clever and beautiful with or without paint they all rock. I have scraped my original plans purchased from ebay as they are nice but the coop itself is too small to clean up properly like. Might be good for something else like a play house for pet birds who need a safe place to play outside.

Anyway, I have been kicking around the idea of making a pallet coop for my new birds as the old coop isn't water tight enough to keep them dry and it is a pain to collect eggs. My only thing is figuring out out the how of making a wall to gather said eggs. I was thinking the front & sides could be just pallets while a back wall would be attached to the frame, cut a door about waist high, and get the eggs that way. But now to collect the eggs inside the boxes without making my own boxes. I really don't want to do that to be honest. I still have a goat home to make, also would wood pallets, plus fencing, etc etc.

I have to think it about it more, see more vids and check out more links on google. Thanks ladies & gents for showing me it can be done. Do you all agree that hardwire cloth is good to put all around?

Cheers!

 

[gmendoza]

Quote:
Those pics are so kewl!!!

I see you have ugly teen chicks huh? I adore ugly teen chicks

The new word for getting free recycled,used stuff is: OBTAINIUM

"One persons trash is my OBTAINIUM"

"I want your OBTAINIUM!"

"This person left all of this OBTAINIUM when they moved out"

(Had to give examples)

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Quote:
Very innovative use of pallets my friend.

Here is our "Poultry Pallet Pallace":

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/52004_sunp0085.jpg

Its 12'x20'x7' high with a coop inside thats 8'x8'x7'high. cost to build = 100.00 at best (screws,used vinyl billboard roof,hinges,etc).

The small coop in the front is a grow-out coop for chicks until they become ugly teens,then get thrown with the mix in the big coop.

The roof is sagging a bit now,so since we have some metal roofing company here that sells their "leftovers" at .99cents a linear foot,we are going to make a tin roof on plyboard.

Hey gmendoza, back in February of this year when you posted your pallet coop pics, what is your opinion on how your pallet coops have held up 7 months later. Is the wood still doing ok? Any signs of any problems with the pallet wood?

I was looking at my pallet coop/aviary for my peacocks and it's still holding up. I was just curious to how others' pallet coops are doing.

Peacock Aviary made from FREE pallets. Total cost to build was $38.00 (sand and 2 plants).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_2.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_1.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_7.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_5.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_6.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_4.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_3.jpg

I don't know if this applies or not, but the plant that is in your aviary looks like a Sago Palm. I just planted 2 myself, as ornamentals. But, in doing research on them, wiki states that Sago Palm is highly toxic to humans and animals. You might want to ask a vet if they are toxic to birds also. I know birds can eat some things mammals cannot. Like Holly Berries. Anyway, I just wanted to point it out if it might be a future issue. I hope they aren't toxic to birds.


Wikipedia-"Toxicity

Cycad Sago Palm is extremely poisonous to animals (this includes humans) if ingested. Pets are at particular risk since they seem to find the plant very palatable.[2] Clinical symptoms of ingestion will develop within 12 hours and may include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, liver failure, or hepatotoxicity characterized by icterus, cirrhosis, and ascites. The pet may appear bruised, have nose bleeds (epistaxis), melena (blood in the stool), hematochezia (bloody straining), and hemarthrosis (blood in the joints).[3] The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center estimates a fatality rate of 50 to 75 percent when ingestion of the Sago Palm is involved. The incidence of Sago Palm ingestion by pets has risen by over 200% in the last five years.[4] If any quantity of the plant is ingested, a poison control center or doctor should be contacted immediately. Effects of ingestion can include permanent internal damage and death.
All parts of the plant are toxic; however, the seeds contain the highest level of the toxin cycasin. Cycasin causes gastrointestinal irritation, and in high enough doses, leads to liver failure.[5] Other toxins include Beta-methylamino L-alanine, a neurotoxic amino acid, and an unidentified toxin which has been observed to cause hindlimb paralysis in cattle.[6]"

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
Hey gmendoza, back in February of this year when you posted your pallet coop pics, what is your opinion on how your pallet coops have held up 7 months later. Is the wood still doing ok? Any signs of any problems with the pallet wood?

I was looking at my pallet coop/aviary for my peacocks and it's still holding up. I was just curious to how others' pallet coops are doing.

Peacock Aviary made from FREE pallets. Total cost to build was $38.00 (sand and 2 plants).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_2.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_1.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_7.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_5.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_6.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_4.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_aviary_3.jpg

I don't know if this applies or not, but the plant that is in your aviary looks like a Sago Palm. I just planted 2 myself, as ornamentals. But, in doing research on them, wiki states that Sago Palm is highly toxic to humans and animals. You might want to ask a vet if they are toxic to birds also. I know birds can eat some things mammals cannot. Like Holly Berries. Anyway, I just wanted to point it out if it might be a future issue. I hope they aren't toxic to birds.


Wikipedia-"Toxicity

Cycad Sago Palm is extremely poisonous to animals (this includes humans) if ingested. Pets are at particular risk since they seem to find the plant very palatable.[2] Clinical symptoms of ingestion will develop within 12 hours and may include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, liver failure, or hepatotoxicity characterized by icterus, cirrhosis, and ascites. The pet may appear bruised, have nose bleeds (epistaxis), melena (blood in the stool), hematochezia (bloody straining), and hemarthrosis (blood in the joints).[3] The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center estimates a fatality rate of 50 to 75 percent when ingestion of the Sago Palm is involved. The incidence of Sago Palm ingestion by pets has risen by over 200% in the last five years.[4] If any quantity of the plant is ingested, a poison control center or doctor should be contacted immediately. Effects of ingestion can include permanent internal damage and death.
All parts of the plant are toxic; however, the seeds contain the highest level of the toxin cycasin. Cycasin causes gastrointestinal irritation, and in high enough doses, leads to liver failure.[5] Other toxins include Beta-methylamino L-alanine, a neurotoxic amino acid, and an unidentified toxin which has been observed to cause hindlimb paralysis in cattle.[6]"

I did a lot of research on different plants before I put them in but I couldn't find anything indicating that the Sago Palms were toxic. Well, I was able to determine that the Sago Palms were not toxic to the peacocks because they ate them up within 2 days and nothing happened to them and this was 8 months ago

I don't think that I will be able to put in any plants because the plants don't make it past 48 hours. I also put in banana plants and the peacocks ate them for a snack. I give up on planting plants.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

kuntrygirl- Well that's cool! On the sago palms. I was given 2 by the neighbor lady, and not planted them yet. I have been reading that birds can eat alot more things than we humans can, but, it is all a learning curve for me. I am new to chickens.....we have 7 now. I am new to the flora of Midlands SC.....having to learn all of that. And, I had never dealt with any sago palm. I am also doing herbs. Having to learn all about that too.

 

[ChickInDelight]

Quote:
I don't think it is ugly at all!!!!

Natural wood is always lovely. I happen to like pallets.

Mine was built as a duckhouse, but I am now modifying to also accommodate the chickens. They seem to love it. I just picked up a massive 2 x 6 oak board from Restore for another perch. I am working on the interior now - feeders on chains and whatnot.

I am also ordering more lights for the top and a weathervane with a duck!

Next, I am building a 3-sided pallet storage shed - and I ordered $50 of tin signs to decorate the outside (of the shed built from pallets and debris in my yard).

 

[Dudu]

Very nice coops indeed! I'm favouriting this thread to show my partner!

He built me this:

Just a dismantled pallet and chicken wire. It was very comfy for my three black and white babies but now they have outgrown it and been recently moved to a large room with others.

 

[bozza72]

Hi all this is my first coop made from a recycled scania bus gearbox box,

Almost ready for the chicks to move in.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
You may want to try the following places and see if they have any FREE pallets: It's where I get all of freebies.

1. Glass Companies
2. Farm Implement Stores
3. Paint Stores
4. Hardware Stores
5. Car dealerships (They have shipping crates. Makes great "mini" houses for animals)
6. Furniture Stores
7. Craigslist has FREE pallet giveaways

Good Luck.

In addition to the above:
Appliance centers
Motorcycle shops
Air conditioner shops
Furniture stores
Exercise equipment stores and gyms

I recently found an armored car maker that had some really cool crates

I know there is at least one business in Fla that makes flooring from pallets so you may have competition but

Large printing companies have very nice pallets they are just odd sizes, but great wood! Clean, usually only used once!

 

[nightowl223]

Quote:
In addition to the above:
Appliance centers
Motorcycle shops
Air conditioner shops
Furniture stores
Exercise equipment stores and gyms

I recently found an armored car maker that had some really cool crates

I know there is at least one business in Fla that makes flooring from pallets so you may have competition but

Large printing companies have very nice pallets they are just odd sizes, but great wood! Clean, usually only used once!

Any place that gets deliveries of large items will have pallets lying around, stacked somewhere out-of-the-way, that they want rid of. Look for something like a semi trailer repair shop (hubby and I work at one, so I know this for a fact

), or some other "thinking outside the box" sort of place...say, somewhere that sells, makes or repairs large items. Any boat building or repair places nearby? Any place that builds travel trailers, mobile homes, RV's, etc?

I noticed Freecycle suggested elsewhere - I'm a big Freecycle fan!

Also, not free and not pallets, but there's always ReStores for other parts (windows, hinges, fixtures, paint, and all the other whatnots you end up needing). I'm a big fan of my local ReStore, too!

BTW, not chicken-oriented, but pallets are a big factor in the new goat house we're building!