My 4x6 Pallet Coop Build (Completed, PIC HEAVY)

[auto5man]

The pallet boards are basically 1x4's (which is 3/4inches x 3 1/2 inches to be exact). As far as length, I got lucky and had a supply of pallet boards that were 6 and 7 feet long (longer than the standard pallet size). My coop is 6x4 so I was fortunate to have long pallet boards that fit the 6ft length, however, if I had increased the dimensions of the coop to like 6x8 or 4 x8, I would have just butt-jointed the boards to increase the length. Another lumber source (some people find dismantling pallets too tough, and I have to admit it was tedious) would be finding reclaimed 1x4's or even fence boards. Either would work for this construction style.

 

[chickenlover45]

Thank you

 

[chickenlover45]

At what stage did you install the nesting boxes

 

[auto5man]

At what stage did you install the nesting boxes

Construction order: After the basic structure of the 4 walls were complete, I cut out and installed the people access door before installing the roof, getting in and out of the coop to install the roof rafters was much easier that way. Next the rafters were installed, then the OSB part of the roof and tin on top of that (YES! Waterproof now, no more tarp!!). The outside was painted with barn paint at this stage. Next I cut in and made the windows, then the pop door, and then the holes were cut for the nest box, and finally the nestbox structure (which had been pre-built several months before) was attached. This was done BEFORE painting the inside, here are a few pics from the day I attached the nest box:




I was anxious to see how the chickens would react so I put shavings in each nest box and let a couple of them into the coop for a look. As with each new stage in the construction process, they seemed VERY curious and went right into to each nest box for some exploring and 'nesting', lol. The odd shaped blocks (the grey ones) here and there are screwed in to tie in a full length pallet board with one that had been shortened by the cut out (and because of that lost its structural support), I hope the way I'm describing this makes sense.



Each time a cut out is made, you have to frame in the hole with 1x2 or similar material to keep the integrity of the structure intact.
And from the outside looking in:




Cody checking the boxes out:

 

[chickenlover45]

How do you attach it?

 

[chickenlover45]

Do you have any recomendations or directions for you coop

 

[chickenlover45]

Not coop nesting box

 

[auto5man]

How do you attach it?

Easily attached, but I didn't take a good picture of that. Simply screw in a 1x4 horizontally along bottom wall, then the bottom of the nestbox rests on that in position against the coop wall. It completely supports the weight of of the nest box, then attach nest box to wall of coop with several screws...I can take a better picture of that detail if you need a visual.

 

[auto5man]

Do you have any recomendations or directions for you coop

CL, what do you mean? Things I would do differently? Plans?

 

[chickenlover45]

Plans and things u would do differently