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

[auto5man]

Looks good so far auto5man what size fan did you use?
Sorry that im adking so many questions im a newbie

No problem, CL,,,,I was asking all kinds of questions myself when I first started my flock a couple years back. I learned almost everything starting out, from this website. Not to mention all the ideas I got for coop building....it's one way of giving back.

Here's what fan I used:


It was 24 bucks from Lowes. So far I really like it, moves alot of air for a small size, small footprint fan. Here is the link from lowes...

http://www.lowes.com/pd_416717-1621...rentURL=?Ntt=lasko+oscillating+fan&facetInfo=

 

[auto5man]

Okay, so here are the cut outs fashioned into 'gunports' to cover the vent windows,,, they will be closed during winter time:







Next post I will show them installed, since I got that done today as well.

 

[auto5man]

The vent cover doors went on fairly easy. Here are the pics....first with doors closed:





Then with the doors open:





My lab Pepper snuck into those last two pics, lol. You can also see how much the flowers have bloomed since getting planted July 5th! After installing these vents and doors, I'm happy to have the 12 inch roof overhang, it covers the vent doors nicely even in the open position (will keep rain from pooling on the trim)

 

[auto5man]

Remember how we talked about the rust on the roof? Well, I used some steel wool on that bit of rust and polished it up a bit, then sprayed on a rustoleum clear lacquer product (you can see a picture of the can a few posts back). It worked pretty well and looks much better, lets hope it LASTS. Here is the finished pic with the roof looking better:






That's it, I think I'm finally done for now. Don't get me wrong, there will be other improvements on down the road (like an automatic pop door), but I'm gonna let the girls settle in for now. And any further improvements will have to wait for cooler weather!

Hope you enjoyed my pictures and build!

 

[redhen689]

You did a very nice job!
I like the idea of a fan. Maybe I'll add one to my coop!

 

[ashncarson]

Did you cut the pallets apart at all or only pried them apart and then removed staples? How long did that process take? The pallets we are collecting wont be that long so we will have to butt them together, but it will still work out I think!

You said you would like to do it bigger, possibly a 8x4...whats your winters like? I know mine might be spending more time in the coop during the winter (we can have 5 birds) and I don't want them to crowded....do you keep any food or water in the coop during the day?

 

[auto5man]

Did you cut the pallets apart at all or only pried them apart and then removed staples? How long did that process take? The pallets we are collecting wont be that long so we will have to butt them together, but it will still work out I think!

You said you would like to do it bigger, possibly a 8x4...whats your winters like? I know mine might be spending more time in the coop during the winter (we can have 5 birds) and I don't want them to crowded....do you keep any food or water in the coop during the day?

I pried my pallets apart, for the most part. Some pallets are near impossible to pry apart though, and then you have to use the cut apart method. The sawzall (recipricating saw) works great for this. Usually you can get away with cutting one end with the saw and then pry apart the middle and other end. I think butt jointing the pallet boards would work too, as long as you lay the joint down on an upright piece (stud). I don't remember exactly how long it took me to take them apart, because it was a while back. I also did the work in little snippets of time, like one or two hours before work, or after work. (guessing, but maybe 30-45 minutes per pallet).

As far as winters here in Memphis, TN? Fairly mild...average temps in the 30's, dipping into the teens is a real cold snap for us and infrequent. I don't keep food and water in the coop night or day, and that seems to be different than what i see folks here on BYC doing. I have a different idea on that subject, though. Since my chickens free range in the fenced in yard (truly my actual BACKYARD, lol) all day, I don't want to encourage activity in the coop (except for laying and roosting). They roost at dusk and they go in as they please (door open) and when they are all in I shut them in. In the morning I let them out at sunrise more or less, every morning. I've found that feeding and watering them outside the coop cuts down on the mess INSIDE the coop. The recommended space allowance is 4 sq/ft per bird for the coop and 16 for the run. I have roughly half that amount of space in the coop, yet they all fit on the roosts and are not crowded at all. Just remember when you are getting advice by reading posts on BYC, that what works in New Mexico is not necessarily going to work as well in Canada or vice versa....consider your geographical area when making decisions. But since you are thinking that some time may be spent in the coop, I would use the 4 sq foot per bird minimum rule. Since you will have five birds, 20 sq feet would be minimum and my size coop would be perfect for you at 24 sq feet.

 

[chickenlover45]

Do you think i should insulate the coop

 

[auto5man]

Do you think i should insulate the coop

Depends on where you live, CL. As I live in the HOT and humid South,,,No insulation.

 

[ashncarson]

I pried my pallets apart, for the most part. Some pallets are near impossible to pry apart though, and then you have to use the cut apart method. The sawzall (recipricating saw) works great for this. Usually you can get away with cutting one end with the saw and then pry apart the middle and other end. I think butt jointing the pallet boards would work too, as long as you lay the joint down on an upright piece (stud). I don't remember exactly how long it took me to take them apart, because it was a while back. I also did the work in little snippets of time, like one or two hours before work, or after work. (guessing, but maybe 30-45 minutes per pallet).

As far as winters here in Memphis, TN? Fairly mild...average temps in the 30's, dipping into the teens is a real cold snap for us and infrequent. I don't keep food and water in the coop night or day, and that seems to be different than what i see folks here on BYC doing. I have a different idea on that subject, though. Since my chickens free range in the fenced in yard (truly my actual BACKYARD, lol) all day, I don't want to encourage activity in the coop (except for laying and roosting). They roost at dusk and they go in as they please (door open) and when they are all in I shut them in. In the morning I let them out at sunrise more or less, every morning. I've found that feeding and watering them outside the coop cuts down on the mess INSIDE the coop. The recommended space allowance is 4 sq/ft per bird for the coop and 16 for the run. I have roughly half that amount of space in the coop, yet they all fit on the roosts and are not crowded at all. Just remember when you are getting advice by reading posts on BYC, that what works in New Mexico is not necessarily going to work as well in Canada or vice versa....consider your geographical area when making decisions. But since you are thinking that some time may be spent in the coop, I would use the 4 sq foot per bird minimum rule. Since you will have five birds, 20 sq feet would be minimum and my size coop would be perfect for you at 24 sq feet.

Thank you for your well written response! This is a all new adventure for us, and I am eager to start! Our winters can be in the low 20's (or teens) so I am thinking we might make ours 4x8 or 4x10 for those super snowy days or late season ice storms like we had this year (I know even bigger would still be better)

Our chickens will be in the run, but would like to possibly experiment with letting them roam our yard when we are home and outside with us (concerned about our dogs and the neighbors and them flying the fence) but will mostly be in the run.

Now if I could find plans for a good run that would save us $$ like this will! Thanks again for your post. I am sure I will have more questions if you dont mind!~