Newbie Question--Wanting to build a inexpensive coop, is it possible?

[mammachick]

HI everyone, I am new to this forum, we just got 3 baby chicks last week. We are now working on a coop design. We live in the city on a smaller lot.
We are thinking of building a A- frame design but would like to do it for under 200.00 is it possible? Any tips or advice, I would love to see any pictures.

Thanks!

 

[faykokoWV]

check out the coop designs link at the top of the page. It has all sorts of pictures of small coops that would be appropriate for 3 chickens. What area of the country do you live in? If its a cold climate it costs a little more, but you should be able to do a tractor with attached run for under $200

 

[faykokoWV]

Oh yeah

 

[AtholCoop]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=214876

Easily accomplished. I'm working on another one right now a full 4'x6' and I'm in for about 200 dollars for materials. All told it'll probably come in around 300 with hinge hardware and roofing.

 

[jrossetti]

I had the same idea in mind when I started: wanted to build as cheaply as possible.

You could scrounge a lot of your materials, and probably spend no more than you need to on fasteners and stuff. I figured if I scrounged as much as possible, I could have spent less than $50 total on mine. The disadvantage is that you probably can't get all your materials all at the same time. It might even take weeks or months!

However, for most small coops, you could easily spend less than $200 if you're smart about it all. I'm building a 4x8 tractor and I estimate when I'm finished, I will have spend about $140-150 total. I'm also going the DIY route on some of the more expensive features like waterers and feeders, so i'm trying to actively spend as little money as possible, but still do a great job.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

You can build a coop for $30 if ya want. Its a matter of deciding what you really want and or need. An "A" frame coop could be had for less than $200.


11 8 foot 2x4s
3 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood.
wire

Should run about $150.

That would make a 8x8x8 cage with a upstairs that is 4x8


Check taht you would need another sheat pf plywood to make ends on the upstairs. Wouldent have to be that thick So add another $20

 

[patandchickens]

Yup, you can do it for free if you're good enough (and have the time to wait for the right materials to turn up), although it is more practical to buy your hardware so that'd be maybe $20 or so

BTW, I don't know where you're located or whether you plan on letting the chickens loose in the yard, but in many situations an A-frame is really not a very practical functional design, compared to a 'box style' coop. Just something to think about.

Your best bet, for economy, is to start vigorously scrounging materials and then after a little while step back and see whatcha got and figure out what it'll best lend itself to building

Good luck, have fun, welcome to BYC,

Pat

 

[Sooner]

Not real sure on the total cost if you were to buy everything, we only had to buy the chicken wire, hinges & latches.

This is flipped on it's back so you can see the area we put wire for the roost to sit above.

side view