My first coop...a pallet coop.

[WelshSpringChicken]

Cool, I look forward to the end result! Useful reading the construction tips too

 

[ernndbrtt]

Quote:
Everyone has a different way of using pallets. I think it's a personal choice . The pallet coops and other projects that we have built, were best used as boards. I prefer more ventilation, so we prefer open/air coops. Insulation is great but not really a concern for me and the area where I live.

WelshSpring, I like what kuntrygirl says, its a personal choice best made after a little hands on experience. If you decide the tear down method and using them as boards, I would first get one pallet and actually take it apart to see if it is manageable for you. The pine pallets I used were RELATIVELY easy to tear down, but I used approx 16 pallets, took about 15-30 minutes per pallet to put in perspective. Some pallets are nearly impossible to tear down and its almost better to saw them apart, but you get shorter boards. As far as looking tidy, you can get that with either method, see the pictures posted towards the front of this thread, you would never know whole pallets were the walls, you just see siding and all the lines are true (very nice erndbrt!). I think flyboys coop is going to look awesome. As far as insulation I would think using the pallets whole as flyboy is doing would be easier to insulate. The route I chose (take apart, use the boards) I think would be harder to insulate, it could be done but not necessary for my climate. Been 110 heat index here in the south for weeks, winters are average temps in the 30's with occas dips into the teens but not prolonged cold.

My personal preference is to use the pallets whole. I got all hardwood pallets and pulling them apart proved nearly impossible without damaging quite a bit of the wood, or you could use a sawzall but then you would still have to use dimensional lumber for wall studs, etc. I wanted to buy as little as possible for this coop. My wife was thrilled learning I had to replace my circular saw and power drill during this project ;o) That's what I get for buying power tools at wallyworld.


If one wants to insulate their coop, leaving the pallets whole will make that easier as well. The full pallets leave you pre-made "studs" to place your insulation between. I plan to insulate mine and cover the inside walls with OSB as I did the outside walls... At least I think that's what I'm going to do... After reading the thread about open air coops and much debating with my wife and her friend whom has had chickens, I leaning towards NOT insulating it... Are our chicken breeds now a days that weakened that they cannot handle cold weather?

One note I will add: If using whole pallets, it will go MUCH easier if your pallets are all EXACTLY the same size, including thickness of the wood slats. Mine were not in the name of saving time spent in our boiling hot pallet trailer at work..... A little more sweat gathering the pallets would have saved me loads of time during consturction.

 

[Flyboy718]

Ok, here is this evenings work...worked a little late so the picture is hard to see. Raised the rear wall about 18 1/2" then built (5) 2X4's out of the pallets and finished putting up the rafters...I am just about ready to skin it now!
In the picture the back wall is the one closest to you and it is hard to see the rafters overhanging on the front wall.

 

[auto5man]

Looking AWESOME!

 

[Flyboy718]

Sorry about the picture last night...here is a better pic.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
WOW!!!!!!

You are doing a fantastic job. I can tell that you are working hard on your coop. It shows. Keep up the good work!!!!

 

[Flyboy718]

Quote:
WOW!!!!!!

You are doing a fantastic job. I can tell that you are working hard on your coop. It shows. Keep up the good work!!!!

Thanks! I just did the figuring on what it will cost me to put 4X8 OSB sheets on the outside and its $80. Just don't want to pay that much, I am trying to make this coop as cost effective as possible, I only have $5 into it right now. So, my chicks have outgrown my little brooder inside my house. So, I am going to build me a larger brooder that I can sit under my carport to buy me some more time on the coop. I plan on just dissasembling all the pallets I have and using the slats as the final outside wall layer on the coop instead of the OSB, I will however, have to use 4 sheets of 4X8 OSB on the roof for about $24. This will be a little more time consuming hence I have to build a larger brooder. Thanks for looking everyone!

 

[WelshSpringChicken]

Looking good

Enjoying watching your project in real time too! Keep it up

 

[ChickInDelight]

What a great way to get the slant on the roof! I neer thought of that.

 

[Flyboy718]

Quote:
Yeah, thats what I said when I accidentally discovered it when I put the rafter up there to check things...then the light bulb went off!