Repurposed box spring secondary coop

[KBNAZ]

Just wanted to share a money saving idea. Lumber prices are nuts right now! I wanted to build a small secondary coop for an outdoor brooder when our new chicks get a little older. This way they can be inside our larger run and near the big hens. We have 4 chicks, so this small size will be just right. We can later use it for anybody that needs to be separated for any reason. We had a queen size box spring to get rid of because we bought a platform base. I stripped it of all fabric, staples and cardboard, then used some 2x3 lumber we had on hand for some skids and ends. I plan to enclose half and leave the other half open as a run. I will add more pictures as I go. Height is 30 inches and width is 27 inches. I could have gone wider, but wanted to use a scrap piece of tin roofing we have, so kept it narrow.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

An unexpected place to salvage materials but really cool! How long is it and how many chickens are you planning to put into it?

Also, what are your plans to protect the wood from rot and/or wood-destructive insects? As a fellow resident of the Steamy Southeast, my experience is that bare, untreated wood in contact with the ground is unlikely to last even a full year -- maybe 2 years if given two coats of barn paint.

 

[RojoMarz]

great re-use of "free" wood.

 

[KBNAZ]

It is 79” long and 27” wide. Half will be a slightly raised coop and half will be run. Today I coated the whole thing with some porch paint I got as “oops” paint for $9. If need be, I am thinking I could use some treated 1x wood under the skids around the base. We will see how it does with the paint. This will house 4 chicks until they are ready to mingle with the rest of the flock and join the big coop.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Oh snap! Very good thinking!

 

[3KillerBs]

It is 79” long and 27” wide. Half will be a slightly raised coop and half will be run. Today I coated the whole thing with some porch paint I got as “oops” paint for $9. If need be, I am thinking I could use some treated 1x wood under the skids around the base. We will see how it does with the paint. This will house 4 chicks until they are ready to mingle with the rest of the flock and join the big coop.

Very clever!

I've heard great things about that porch paint.

 

[KBNAZ]

So I have enclosed the floor and two sides with plywood, and am trying to decide what to do for both ends. Solid doors with wire windows at the top? One solid door and a wire door going into the run part? I am not sure how much ventilation is needed.

 

[3KillerBs]

I am not sure how much ventilation is needed.

The usual guideline is 1 square foot of ventilation for each adult, full-size hen.

 

[KBNAZ]

Thank you! So for 4 chicks it can be a little less. I am thinking a solid back wall and then making the door screened facing the covered run. That way there will be less chances of rain blowing in too.

 

[KBNAZ]

Finished! Just have to add the mama heating pad.