Need (chicken use) ideas for repurposing free pallets

[gtaus]

I'd use the pallets as is for 3 sided compost bins, drive Tposts to hold them in place.

Pallet set flat on top of concrete blocks at corners(a couple blocks high or set 'tallwise') for under and on top of lounging in run....or leaned against a wall....or two of them 'teppee'd for an 'Aframe'.
Tho if the surfaces/edges are rough splinters might be an issue.

If nothing else, I will just make some compost bins with T-Posts. Did that before, works well, very easy. I like your other ideas better as I would prefer to build something for the chickens to use in the run.

 

[archeryrob]

I took three pallets and laid them out. With extra pallet slats I filled in the empty spaces. Then stood them all up and made a U of the three and a board across the top to lock them in. I throw all clippings from the garden in there and the chickens rake it back out when free ranging. I kick it back in and they start over until it is all broken up and breaking down. No pictures on my phone of it.

I built my second coop all out of pallets wood. I wanted to get a flock of dark cornish to be a laying flock to raise my own meat chickens from eggs. My wife was not interested in my building another coop and tried to prevent me from doing it by saying I couldn't spend any money on wood. So, being determined not to be controlled I said, "Fine, I'll build it out of pallets."

It was a PITA and I probably used 40 pallets to get enough of the 2x4 type pieces and had a huge amount of slats left over. Anyways, you can read it here if you're interested.

 

[aart]

It was a PITA and I probably used 40 pallets to get enough of the 2x4 type pieces and had a huge amount of slats left over. Anyways, you can read it here if you're interested.

Great build and documentation!
You don't have to sleep out there do you? (rhetorical question)
After such a thrifty and successful coop build,
were you allowed to buy new materials for the run?

 

[archeryrob]

Yes, I had won by then.

I liked the idea of getting the wood for free but it honestly add twice the ork time probably. I had to use my metal cutting miter saw to cut the framing lumber as it is full of nails. This is not the best project for the beginning builder.

 

[aart]

This is not the best project for the beginning builder.

Not at all.
Takes a practiced tinkerer with the right tools to do what you did there.

 

[Quackter]

I don't know exactly what you mean, but if you can't pull out a nail head, you could use a 4 1/2 inch grinder with cutting wheel and make short work of it. Of course, depending on what you use the wood for, you could also just hammer the nail head studs over back into the wood.

Pretty much a brad point, but a flat cutting surface and better material. I haven't tried it for nails yet, I just swore the next go round I was.
I went through several different ways of trying to pull out a descent board, angle grinder included. I tried new and mostly worn out wheels, to try and get the radius down. A lot of smoke, to me, I just didn't think it was worth it.
There's a company about a mile up the road, they'll set a stack out randomly. If the stars align, and I get a wild hare, I'll grab a dozen or so. Then I'll kick myself. About an hour away a sawmill sells 3' tall 4'deep 8-12' long bundles of "outs" for $100 to $200 depending on species etc. The next cheap project bug that bites, that's the route I'm taking.
I've got about fifteen back here now, I'm going to take you guy's inspiration and do some composts bins. But save a "too cool to pass up" piece of worm wood, or a shake or burl pattern, I don't think I am breaking anymore down.

 

[gtaus]

I took three pallets and laid them out. With extra pallet slats I filled in the empty spaces. Then stood them all up and made a U of the three and a board across the top to lock them in. I throw all clippings from the garden in there and the chickens rake it back out when free ranging. I kick it back in and they start over until it is all broken up and breaking down. No pictures on my phone of it.

Not quite following you there, but I am interested in something along these lines. Did you make a 3-sided compost bin with a board on top to tie it together? Just trying to visualize this without a picture.

 

[gtaus]

I built my second coop all out of pallets wood. I wanted to get a flock of dark cornish to be a laying flock to raise my own meat chickens from eggs. My wife was not interested in my building another coop and tried to prevent me from doing it by saying I couldn't spend any money on wood. So, being determined not to be controlled I said, "Fine, I'll build it out of pallets."

It was a PITA and I probably used 40 pallets to get enough of the 2x4 type pieces and had a huge amount of slats left over. Anyways, you can read it here if you're interested.

Wow! I cannot imagine how long it took and how much work you put into that build. It looks great.

 

[gtaus]

I don't think I am breaking any more [pallets] down.

I came across a YouTube video last night on how to break down pallets without power tools. I think it's about the best method I have seen so far. IF I end up breaking down the free pallet(s) I just got, I'm going to give this method a try. Check it out even if you are not interested in breaking down pallets. I thought it was great.

 

[FortCluck]

We made a coop out of pallets... We have roofing, we just haven't had any time to do it. It's 16 (roofing) pallets, which have no gaps between the wood. And two siding pallets make the flooring with pvc board which is so easy to clean.

I've seen people make swings for their chickens with pallets, we haven't tried it yet but we want to.