Pallet coop time!

[Wxguru]

In the very initial stages of working on a pallet coop. Want to use as much recycle as I can. I ended up putting a 48"x48" pallet and a 48"x40" pallet together to make basically a 4'x7'4" coop. Coop itself is going to have a 3' high wall at the back and a 4' high wall at the front. I am going to have 6 hens (they arrive halloween!)....so I think they have PLENTY of room (they will be outside in a 8'x7' run during the day).
Biggest question I want to try and get answered.....I would like to allow the hens some room outside under the coop, and maybe put their dustbath under it or even the feeder/waterer. How much "headroom" will a grown hen need to safely be under a coop? 12", 18", 2' or what? 4' of the run will be covered, so if it has to be raised too high, then I won't be using the under coop area. I am in an area that allows chickens in the city, but covenants for the neighborhood don't allow (I have the blessing of all of my neighbors already), So I am wanting to keep the entire thing below fence line.
So what say you chicken experts?

 

[Truckchick]

No expert here but I left 17" under the coop I am building and my chickens have been spending some time under it already. That's to the bottom of the framing so they have an added 6" in between.

 

[Wxguru]

I have started laying the foundation for the pallet coop. I have a sloped yard, approximately 6.5" over a 4FT span, so I am doing some digging and leveling of the foundation first before building on it. Backyard is looking like a pallet yard so far.

Here is a pic of pallet nation....the cedar 4'x38" boxes are all part of an upcoming garden. I am going to have 2 12' rows for the spring.\


Got the 4 corners level. Just the middle supports left. Notice the pallet in middle with double opening. Already a perfect nest box opening complete with overhang. These came from a electricians company.


Got some siding cut out of the pallets too. Still need more to complete the exterior though.


Will end up staining this entire thing to waterproof it to a degree. The pallets that are being used as walls are 44"x48" which is perfect. I have a 48x88" base. They square up nicely all the way around. Finishing out the leveling today, then securing the base hopefully today or tomorrow. The work continues!

 

[Wxguru]

Almost have the floor completely framed. That is Hamer (pronounced Hammer...rescue border collie) our inspector making sure it is up to code. So far he hasn't given us a citation. Once the floor is finished out, we will start to finally go vertical. This floor will have a 3/4" OSB sheet on top of it.

 

[LadyKjo]

Can't wait to see it all put together. You've got the materials nicely laid out already. I bet it's going to turn out great!

 

[tracecom]

Almost have the floor completely framed. That is Hamer (pronounced Hammer...rescue border collie) our inspector making sure it is up to code. So far he hasn't given us a citation. Once the floor is finished out, we will start to finally go vertical. This floor will have a 3/4" OSB sheet on top of it.

It's looking good. I know that OSB is less expensive than plywood, but plywood would be more moisture resistant. With the excellent subfloor you have, I think 1/2" plywood would work.

But, maybe you are planning some sort of waterproof floor covering over the OSB? Anyway, good luck!

 

[Wxguru]

For the floor OSB I am going to coat the underside with a sealer so any moisture out of the soil will be snuffed....hopefully! Interior will stay dry of course, so not going to treat that side of it I have thought about plywood, but simply for cost going to go with OSB.

 

[goodb]

Almost have the floor completely framed. That is Hamer (pronounced Hammer...rescue border collie) our inspector making sure it is up to code. So far he hasn't given us a citation. Once the floor is finished out, we will start to finally go vertical. This floor will have a 3/4" OSB sheet on top of it.

I love it when the current animals get involved on these projects!

 

[SouthHouse]

How will you access the coop to clean? We used an old playhouse set upon on concrete pad as our coop. The walls inside are plywood. I painted them with outdoor glossy paint I got free from a neighbor that overbought for his project. That finish has been a godsend as it it easy to scrub down and sanitize when necessary.
If using wood as the floor of your coop, you may want to consider putting down a scrap of linoleum sheet goods over it. I used it in a 4x6 grow out pen and it, like the painted coop walls, saved a lot of time and effort when it came time to clean and sanitize. I use a deep litter method in the brooder and coop and only have to do a deep clean twice a year in the coop (more often in the brooder/grow out pen). Will have to increase the frequency as our flock grows, but it's relatively painless.
It looks like you're off to a great start. Sure wish I had your skills when I started my chicken keeping; it would've saved me much $$ and frustration!
Best of luck to you. Enjoy!

 

[Wxguru]

Both ends are going to have doors of approximately 36"x30" I believe. So I should have some room there. I am going with plywood walls on the inside as well, and I might do a finish on the floor. Only reason I am kind of reserved on linoleum, is if I get it down wrong and it isn't sealed right, then water will get under and become an issue when I clean out the coop. I will continue to mull that over.
On your deep litter method, how deep is it, and what materials are you using?