Pallet shed ideas?

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I use two 8x10 metal sheds for a coop. Got them on Craigslist for $75 and free. I used treated 4x4s joined together with 6" galvanized lag screws for the bases. They work pretty well. No problems so far.

 

[paintedChix]

paintedchix - I like your hoop coop with the pallets, that's a pretty neat idea. How'd you keep the pallets from springing apart, did you stake them?

Yogifink - The temp one that I literally "threw together in a few hours" by myself while the ponies were housed in temporary quarters - the ends of the pallets (back of "shed") were tied tight to the cattle panel fence. Then strapped tight to the pallets in front. I think that they may have moved out a bit at the bottom a couple of times when shifting things around, my boarder who took care of all the ponies sometimes as well, moved it back, too. Wasn't a big deal for what it was.

The boys shed is set up the same here on our property - even using the same door as the back wall. However, I also have a 48x48 pallet as part of the back wall as well - didn't have that at the temporary one. I was actually looking at it the other day and it will need to be shifted back into position (left side when facing the front) - but it hasn't been corrected since I put it up (at least not by me). No, it doesn't have stakes or posts - just tied to the fence (with our ubiquitous haystring) and to each other. Here's a pic of the back of it from outside the pen (but w/i the boys' pasture).



The girls shed is larger and it is set up a bit different. For one, the ground was much more level where I set the pallets and it was so much easier to strap together. But after seeing someone else's project with t-posts driven into the ground in measured spots, then the pallets put over it, I did the same. They DO NOT move... Probably why I've been able to "get away" with not finishing it yet, LOL... The one front pallet on the left does not have a t-post thru it but instead I measured & drove it into the ground, then placed the pallet so that it was tight between it & the pallet it is strapped to... It did move some, but not enough to matter for our purposes. I have the partial cattle panel as a gate strapped to the post rather than to the pallet - works better.

At your age, go for the creative route. Get some help from your folks building something and you'll learn some incredibly valuable life skills that folks will envy when your in your 30's and 40's. IMHO

Also, you don't necessarily have to finish it right away (well, maybe do something for temp purposes). If you/your family don't have equipment and you can't rent it - see about taking a shop class (very hard to do here in NC since we have career tracks here and it can't be taken as an elective anymore if you aren't planning on utilizing for your projected career/college... All 3 of our daughters had to take some specific things relating to what they "thought" they were going to continue with) and being able to do part/all of your project there. Also consider FFA (if your school has it) - though what you do seems to vary widely depending on who is teaching and where you are (even here - our oldest was able to do that the first year thinking she'd learn more about other livestock, but she only got in on the plant part & was VERY unhappy and then didn't learn much. I was busy with a heavy, full time job and the ponies & full size horses at the time, so didn't learn anything thru/from her either, now wish we had!!).

If you don't have opportunities like that, check out Habitats for Humanity. I think you may be old enough if your parents sign all the release forms. You'd be amazed the amount you can learn and the help you can get (if nothing else, contacts for later) learning about building (at no or very little charge), the equipment you may be introduced to and taught how to safely use, and maybe later, have access to for your own projects (MAYBE).

Enjoy your build and have fun, too!

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Yogifink - The temp one that I literally "threw together in a few hours" by myself while the ponies were housed in temporary quarters - the ends of the pallets (back of "shed") were tied tight to the cattle panel fence. Then strapped tight to the pallets in front. I think that they may have moved out a bit at the bottom a couple of times when shifting things around, my boarder who took care of all the ponies sometimes as well, moved it back, too. Wasn't a big deal for what it was.

The boys shed is set up the same here on our property - even using the same door as the back wall. However, I also have a 48x48 pallet as part of the back wall as well - didn't have that at the temporary one. I was actually looking at it the other day and it will need to be shifted back into position (left side when facing the front) - but it hasn't been corrected since I put it up (at least not by me). No, it doesn't have stakes or posts - just tied to the fence (with our ubiquitous haystring) and to each other. Here's a pic of the back of it from outside the pen (but w/i the boys' pasture).

View attachment 1121214

The girls shed is larger and it is set up a bit different. For one, the ground was much more level where I set the pallets and it was so much easier to strap together. But after seeing someone else's project with t-posts driven into the ground in measured spots, then the pallets put over it, I did the same. They DO NOT move... Probably why I've been able to "get away" with not finishing it yet, LOL... The one front pallet on the left does not have a t-post thru it but instead I measured & drove it into the ground, then placed the pallet so that it was tight between it & the pallet it is strapped to... It did move some, but not enough to matter for our purposes. I have the partial cattle panel as a gate strapped to the post rather than to the pallet - works better.



Also, you don't necessarily have to finish it right away (well, maybe do something for temp purposes). If you/your family don't have equipment and you can't rent it - see about taking a shop class (very hard to do here in NC since we have career tracks here and it can't be taken as an elective anymore if you aren't planning on utilizing for your projected career/college... All 3 of our daughters had to take some specific things relating to what they "thought" they were going to continue with) and being able to do part/all of your project there. Also consider FFA (if your school has it) - though what you do seems to vary widely depending on who is teaching and where you are (even here - our oldest was able to do that the first year thinking she'd learn more about other livestock, but she only got in on the plant part & was VERY unhappy and then didn't learn much. I was busy with a heavy, full time job and the ponies & full size horses at the time, so didn't learn anything thru/from her either, now wish we had!!).

If you don't have opportunities like that, check out Habitats for Humanity. I think you may be old enough if your parents sign all the release forms. You'd be amazed the amount you can learn and the help you can get (if nothing else, contacts for later) learning about building (at no or very little charge), the equipment you may be introduced to and taught how to safely use, and maybe later, have access to for your own projects (MAYBE).

Enjoy your build and have fun, too!

Thank you, I don't have access to most classes especially ones run through the school system because I'm homeschooled. My dad teaches me all sorts of carpentry and construction and all houses and fencing that I currently have was built by mostly myself with some help from my father when I didn't know how to do something. Which is fine by me because he knows his stuff (he's built and sold houses). Honestly I'm mostly just looking for ideas and what everyone else has done or would recommend doing. The information above it still wonderful, but for the most part not something that applies to my situation. I do like the idea of build something temporary especially because my family is looking to move withing the next year or so. My only concern with the hoop coop is that because I'm in New England and we get very cold and snowy winters that it won't keep them warm and protected.

 

[yogifink]

Thank you, I don't have access to most classes especially ones run through the school system because I'm homeschooled. My dad teaches me all sorts of carpentry and construction and all houses and fencing that I currently have was built by mostly myself with some help from my father when I didn't know how to do something. Which is fine by me because he knows his stuff (he's built and sold houses). Honestly I'm mostly just looking for ideas and what everyone else has done or would recommend doing. The information above it still wonderful, but for the most part not something that applies to my situation. I do like the idea of build something temporary especially because my family is looking to move withing the next year or so. My only concern with the hoop coop is that because I'm in New England and we get very cold and snowy winters that it won't keep them warm and protected.

first off, I just want to say that you are very well spoken. I have a few 20 something's that work for me that were publicly educated and cannot write a complete sentence to save their lives.

On protecting your flock, in your environment a hoop coop would be more than adiquite, if built properly. If you were to support the cattle panels with a header of sorts, and then cover the panels with a clear plastic, not only would they be amply protected from the weather they would be living in a make shift greenhouse. In my Aberdeen article I cite the gentleman I piggybacked on, I suggest you take a gander. He to lived in a northern state and had to contend with snow loads. The fact you may be moving soon reinforces the suggestion of a hoop coop. If or when you move, these kind of coops can easily be disassembled and moved to a new location. Relocating a shed or wooden coop on the other hand is quite challenging. Why put your time and money into something like this and then leave it behind a short while later?

 

[Lamaremybabies]

first off, I just want to say that you are very well spoken. I have a few 20 something's that work for me that were publicly educated and cannot write a complete sentence to save their lives.

On protecting your flock, in your environment a hoop coop would be more than adiquite, if built properly. If you were to support the cattle panels with a header of sorts, and then cover the panels with a clear plastic, not only would they be amply protected from the weather they would be living in a make shift greenhouse. In my Aberdeen article I cite the gentleman I piggybacked on, I suggest you take a gander. He to lived in a northern state and had to contend with snow loads. The fact you may be moving soon reinforces the suggestion of a hoop coop. If or when you move, these kind of coops can easily be disassembled and moved to a new location. Relocating a shed or wooden coop on the other hand is quite challenging. Why put your time and money into something like this and then leave it behind a short while later?

Thank you very much.

I will definitely look farther into the hoop coops, and your Aberdeen article. I remember reading about them a while back when I was inquiring about goats. I didn't end up getting goats for a few different reasons, but the more I think about it I do remember thinking that the hoop coop design was a good one. Of course, I believe it went by a different name since goats don't live in coops. Haha

Also, thank you so much for all the advise you've given me! You have been helpful and I'm absolutely thankful.

 

[SandeeC]

What ever design or materials you use, have fun doing it and be proud that you built it yourself Too many kids around here think money grows on trees or something isn't as flash as what someone else has. My 15 yr old has been my offsider for years making fences, coops etc. I am proud of him for getting his hands dirty and now he is constantly wanting to make things His next project after welding my trailer is figurines made out of pistons from a couple of old engines we had laying around

 

[Lamaremybabies]

What ever design or materials you use, have fun doing it and be proud that you built it yourself Too many kids around here think money grows on trees or something isn't as flash as what someone else has. My 15 yr old has been my offsider for years making fences, coops etc. I am proud of him for getting his hands dirty and now he is constantly wanting to make things His next project after welding my trailer is figurines made out of pistons from a couple of old engines we had laying around

Thank you! I most certainly will. I love to build things to improve my animals health or general well being. Especially if I can find an idea or design that leaves some of those dollar bills on the tree.
Plus it's a lot of fun.

 

[SandeeC]

Self satisfaction is the key to life Plus learning skills never goes astray
Proud of you

 

[Ravynscroft]

@Lamaremybabies just fyi, might want to edit your first post to omit your age... in regards to safety for minors, it is against BYC rules to openly post your age as a minor...

I always enjoy your posts, btw... and am refreshed seeing your resolve for the safety and well being of your charges... a good friend if mine has done incredible buildings with pallets, @Fields Mountain Farm can you post some pics of your barn and bungalows? Show what functional and pleasing looking can be done with less...

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

My only concern with the hoop coop is that because I'm in New England and we get very cold and snowy winters that it won't keep them warm and protected.

Metal sheds probably wouldn't be a good idea then. No insulation and would probably collapse under NE snow loads.