Hi,
I love this forum!
I'm not even really a newbie yet: my chicks don't get here until the 19th (Americaunas, 15 from Ideal).
But I've been wracking my brain for cheap coop ideas and just found one behind Costco.
They have these wooden pallet/boxes that are huge...they've got Christmas wreaths in them in the store. And some Costcos keep produce in them as well. I asked and they said free, take 'em.
I think I'm gonna take eight (or maybe 12) of them, stacking them two high (upside down so the strong base would become the roof and also the floor) and putting netting around them and solid wooden ends and sheet metal roof, then attaching the whole thing to the back of the shed. I can even cannibalize one or two for the wood to enclose the ends. And make roosts/boxes/ladders, etc.
12 would be idea because then the coop would be 12x12 feet.
Just thought I'd share. It's HEAVY wood...probably 80lbs a box. And I also think I'm going to start keeping firewood in those kinda boxes: easier to tarp.
I'm thinking of taking a sawzall to the shed and making nesting boxes that poof out into the shed, so for sure they'd be water/windproof and not disturb the birds by yanking the eggs. And I could plug water and a heat lamp in if necessary.
PS- A BLM burro/donkey is legally called a 'wild ass'. I've got 3 rescues, all from the Blue Mountain range of NV, hence the name. I'm in two parades tomorrow with the WildAssWomen of NV, who try and educate the public at parades that you can have one for yourself since the BLM is adopting them out daily."
I love this forum!
I'm not even really a newbie yet: my chicks don't get here until the 19th (Americaunas, 15 from Ideal).
But I've been wracking my brain for cheap coop ideas and just found one behind Costco.
They have these wooden pallet/boxes that are huge...they've got Christmas wreaths in them in the store. And some Costcos keep produce in them as well. I asked and they said free, take 'em.
I think I'm gonna take eight (or maybe 12) of them, stacking them two high (upside down so the strong base would become the roof and also the floor) and putting netting around them and solid wooden ends and sheet metal roof, then attaching the whole thing to the back of the shed. I can even cannibalize one or two for the wood to enclose the ends. And make roosts/boxes/ladders, etc.
12 would be idea because then the coop would be 12x12 feet.
Just thought I'd share. It's HEAVY wood...probably 80lbs a box. And I also think I'm going to start keeping firewood in those kinda boxes: easier to tarp.
I'm thinking of taking a sawzall to the shed and making nesting boxes that poof out into the shed, so for sure they'd be water/windproof and not disturb the birds by yanking the eggs. And I could plug water and a heat lamp in if necessary.
PS- A BLM burro/donkey is legally called a 'wild ass'. I've got 3 rescues, all from the Blue Mountain range of NV, hence the name. I'm in two parades tomorrow with the WildAssWomen of NV, who try and educate the public at parades that you can have one for yourself since the BLM is adopting them out daily."
My window framing wasn't exactly perfect but the birds enjoy the double pane view...
