Pallet Coop

[newchickmomma83]

Ok...I am in the process of getting a new coop, because like everyone I have a few chickens but now I want more !! I have been looking into making a coop from pallets! I would like to house about 10 chickens total. I'm curious if you have ever made one can you post pictures with any suggestions you may have?? Thanks so much in advance!

 

[paddock36]

I recently purchased a pen that was used for a goat and I am converting it into a coop. I added a laying box that I can open from outside the coop. The box is made from pallet wood and some scrap pieces of plywood that my husband gets from work.

 

[newchickmomma83]

I recently purchased a pen that was used for a goat and I am converting it into a coop. I added a laying box that I can open from outside the coop. The box is made from pallet wood and some scrap pieces of plywood that my husband gets from work. View attachment 4077295

I love it! I don't know what I will end up with. My husband says now that I can't make a pallet coop that it won't last. So he says he's going to make something. I'm just tired of waiting so I was going to do it on my own! (and may still end up) haha

 

[paddock36]

I love it! I don't know what I will end up with. My husband says now that I can't make a pallet coop that it won't last. So he says he's going to make something. I'm just tired of waiting so I was going to do it on my own! (and may still end up) haha

I have made an actual coop or shelter that you could walk in but that was a long time ago and I don't have any photos. I tore it down when I no longer wanted to use it. That's the best thing about pallet coops. You're not really out anything when they either deteriorate or just done, since the pallets are usually free to start.

 

[charlie1051]

I love it! I don't know what I will end up with. My husband says now that I can't make a pallet coop that it won't last. So he says he's going to make something. I'm just tired of waiting so I was going to do it on my own! (and may still end up) haha

It will last especially if you get pallets that have "HT" on them, it stands for heat treated. I work in fresh produce and we have to use them to send produce to other countries.

Now, you do not have to use heat treated pallets but if you do, then you are getting a "GMA-1" pallet and they are quality, the best and use top notch wood. Hey, new pallets are expensive!!

Pallets are made from high quality wood, they have to be as many types of pallets are reused for YEARS!!

I'm a guy and I know how guys are...tell the hubby it's all good.

I'm almost embarrassed to know so much about pallets...I'm kiddin'. If you have any pallet questions feel free to ask!!

P.S. Try to stick with 48"X40" as those are the most universal size across AMERICA.

 

[newchickmomma83]

It will last especially if you get pallets that have "HT" on them, it stands for heat treated. I work in fresh produce and we have to use them to send produce to other countries.

Now, you do not have to use heat treated pallets but if you do, then you are getting a "GMA-1" pallet and they are quality, the best and use top notch wood. Hey, new pallets are expensive!!

Pallets are made from high quality wood, they have to be as many types of pallets are reused for YEARS!!

I'm a guy and I know how guys are...tell the hubby it's all good.

I'm almost embarrassed to know so much about pallets...I'm kiddin'. If you have any pallet questions feel free to ask!!

P.S. Try to stick with 48"X40" as those are the most universal size across AMERICA.

I think it's awesome that you know this much about pallets hahaha! I'm going to be gone this weekend so we will see if he starts something! If not this momma will be building her own hahaha! I'm ready to get a few more!

 

[ci_cyfarth]

I'm starting a (very simple) pallet coop soon. I've already got 10 secured, and will start pulling them apart/reassembling into a coop and run this weekend. It's likely I'll need a few more to complete the build, but plan to post process/completion photos in the pallet project thread when it comes together!

 

[newchickmomma83]

I'm starting a (very simple) pallet coop soon. I've already got 10 secured, and will start pulling them apart/reassembling into a coop and run this weekend. It's likely I'll need a few more to complete the build, but plan to post process/completion photos in the pallet project thread when it comes together!

Aww yay how fun! I wish you the best of luck on your coop! And I would love to see a picture when you are finished!

 

[paintedChix]

Hi newchickmomma83!! Welcome to BYC.

If you can post the state you live in, that's helpful.

You can search BYC for pallet coops - both in general & in the Articles section under Coops. Coops are divided into small, medium & large.

Here's an old one on BYC. It's bigger, 2 levels of pallets. There are others, including at least one that is current w/i last 2-3 years.

Thread 'OUR CHICKEN COOP MADE OUT OF PALLETS Pic Heavy Almost finished' https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-of-pallets-pic-heavy-almost-finished.206569/

I thought i had a link to a very nice build w/ some unique features, but I'm not finding it now. It's also a 2 layer build. Painted a blue grey color. For a while, it showed up first in pallet build searches. It has been linked here on BYC (pretty sure that builder wasn't a BYC member).

You can also Google & Pinterest "pallet coops", "chicken coop from pallets", "shed from pallets", etc...

There are many ways to build a pallet coop. You can leave them whole, cut them apart getting shorter slats or completely de-construct them to utilize the parts. You can find larger pallets that have a solid board for the top - giving you a solid wood sheet (usually a type of OSB?) to work with. There are even plastic pallets. @gtaus has a whole thread (getting rather large) about pallet projects. I keep losing it, when reading other threads, LOL.

I have used pallets for temporary shed builds that became pretty permanent. I did not completely cover them to make walls. I used t-posts to stabilize them.

This one was very temporary. Put up on rented property, when we were buying our own & moving out of a lease that was foreclosed on. Built end of Oct 2014, removed end of Jan 2015. I put it together, by myself, in one afternoon. Ground was level, pallets were all sized 48"×48", held together w/ t-posts & haystring.



This was built on new property. Held together same as above. Meant to also be very temporary, but worked well enough that we never got around to actually building sheds. Wish I had put a brick or cinder block foundation & better "ties" on it. But then again, it's withstood 3 hurricanes, several wind & rain "events" (not classed as either tornados or hurricanes) & still stands today w/ original tarp (very holey now). It is somewhat protected by a 3 segment row "barn", 2 other hooped chicken tractors moved into permanent spots behind that barn & a very large pine tree. The haystring needs to be replaced. No longer have ponies, it's become a "storage shed" of sorts...




Then I made a single CP hoop coop w/ other pallets. Again, didn't make pallets into solid walls, but put wire over them. I inserted large, heavy cardboard sheets (washer box) on one side (right side) between the hooped & wired CP & the 3' field fence pasture its butted against. Easily replaced when no longer working. Didnt think to take pictures. Then used a combo of bottles & cardboard on front right. They stayed dry and un ruffled during wind & rain events. Again, wish I'd put a brick or cinder block foundation. The pallets are all sorts of crazy sizes, don't match & though stamped as PT, they are totally disintegrating, not just at the "bases" set directly on the ground, but also boards throughout. This is what I'm dismantling now, to refurbish/rebuild.


**********

You could also consider a full hoop coop design or dog kennels. Many designs here on BYC.

**********
Edit - i found his shed build. Still looking for his coop build. It's similar, but not the same...

https://theownerbuildernetwork.co/easy-diy-projects/diy-pallet-shed/

 

[newchickmomma83]

Hi newchickmomma83!! Welcome to BYC.

If you can post the state you live in, that's helpful.

You can search BYC for pallet coops - both in general & in the Articles section under Coops. Coops are divided into small, medium & large.

Here's an old one on BYC. It's bigger, 2 levels of pallets. There are others, including at least one that is current w/i last 2-3 years.

Thread 'OUR CHICKEN COOP MADE OUT OF PALLETS Pic Heavy Almost finished' https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-of-pallets-pic-heavy-almost-finished.206569/

I thought i had a link to a very nice build w/ some unique features, but I'm not finding it now. It's also a 2 layer build. Painted a blue grey color. For a while, it showed up first in pallet build searches. It has been linked here on BYC (pretty sure that builder wasn't a BYC member).

You can also Google & Pinterest "pallet coops", "chicken coop from pallets", "shed from pallets", etc...

There are many ways to build a pallet coop. You can leave them whole, cut them apart getting shorter slats or completely de-construct them to utilize the parts. You can find larger pallets that have a solid board for the top - giving you a solid wood sheet (usually a type of OSB?) to work with. There are even plastic pallets. @gtaus has a whole thread (getting rather large) about pallet projects. I keep losing it, when reading other threads, LOL.

I have used pallets for temporary shed builds that became pretty permanent. I did not completely cover them to make walls. I used t-posts to stabilize them.

This one was very temporary. Put up on rented property, when we were buying our own & moving out of a lease that was foreclosed on. Built end of Oct 2014, removed end of Jan 2015. I put it together, by myself, in one afternoon. Ground was level, pallets were all sized 48"×48", held together w/ t-posts & haystring.

View attachment 4083217View attachment 4083218View attachment 4083219

This was built on new property. Held together same as above. Meant to also be very temporary, but worked well enough that we never got around to actually building sheds. Wish I had put a brick or cinder block foundation & better "ties" on it. But then again, it's withstood 3 hurricanes, several wind & rain "events" (not classed as either tornados or hurricanes) & still stands today w/ original tarp (very holey now). It is somewhat protected by a 3 segment row "barn", 2 other hooped chicken tractors moved into permanent spots behind that barn & a very large pine tree. The haystring needs to be replaced. No longer have ponies, it's become a "storage shed" of sorts...

View attachment 4083221View attachment 4083222


Then I made a single CP hoop coop w/ other pallets. Again, didn't make pallets into solid walls, but put wire over them. I inserted large, heavy cardboard sheets (washer box) on one side (right side) between the hooped & wired CP & the 3' field fence pasture its butted against. Easily replaced when no longer working. Didnt think to take pictures. Then used a combo of bottles & cardboard on front right. They stayed dry and un ruffled during wind & rain events. Again, wish I'd put a brick or cinder block foundation. The pallets are all sorts of crazy sizes, don't match & though stamped as PT, they are totally disintegrating, not just at the "bases" set directly on the ground, but also boards throughout. This is what I'm dismantling now, to refurbish/rebuild.

View attachment 4083229
**********

You could also consider a full hoop coop design or dog kennels. Many designs here on BYC.

**********
Edit - i found his shed build. Still looking for his coop build. It's similar, but not the same...

https://theownerbuildernetwork.co/easy-diy-projects/diy-pallet-shed/

That Shed he built is impressive! hahaha And we are in IL so the weather requires something for them to be able to hide away in haha. So for this reason I think we decided against a pallet coop after all.

I ended up with a large prefab coop to get me through, and we are going to build my dream coop next year I think! The babies will have plenty of love and growing to do in this coop we got but also knowing it's not the long term coop.

I love everyone's help and input though thank you so much!