Show Me Your Pallet Projects!

[gtaus]

After over 2 years of living on the same woodchips I became concerned that all the dustbathing and digging and eating in the feces laden woodchips could have been affecting the health of my chickens. That's the main reason I cleaned it out and replaced it with straw.

I was thinking more about that, and I wonder if those concerns are based in fact. For example, I have read in many places that a deep litter system actually gets better and is healthier for the chickens as it ages. Yeah, I know it sounds bad to have feces laden woodchips, but isn't the whole concept of deep litter based on just that? Well, in my setup, there would be a lot of coop litter and less chicken poo in the mix. I use a dry deep bedding method with semi-annual cleanouts.

For anyone wondering what the dry deep bedding system is, here is a nice summary of that method that I have been using for 5+ years succssfully....

******************
The Dry Deep Bedding Method is similar to the Deep Litter Method, but instead of encouraging composting, it focuses on keeping the bedding dry and absorbent for long-term use. This method is great for reducing odors, minimizing cleaning, and maintaining a healthier coop environment.

How the Dry Deep Bedding Method Works​

1. Start with a Thick Base Layer – Lay down 6-12 inches of dry bedding material like pine shavings, straw, or wood chips.
2. Regularly Add Fresh Bedding – Instead of turning the bedding like in deep litter, simply layer fresh bedding on top as needed.
3. Keep Moisture Out – The key difference is preventing moisture buildup—this means ensuring good ventilation and avoiding excessive humidity.
4. Encourage Natural Drying – Chickens will scratch and mix the bedding naturally, helping dry out droppings and distribute waste evenly.
5. Clean Out Periodically – Instead of composting in place, the bedding is fully removed and replaced every few months to a year, depending on conditions.

Benefits of the Dry Deep Bedding Method

Low Maintenance – No daily cleaning, just occasional fresh bedding additions.
Odor Control – Dry bedding absorbs moisture and ammonia, keeping the coop fresh.
Healthier Air Quality – Reduces respiratory issues by preventing damp conditions.
Comfortable for Chickens – Provides a soft, insulating surface for roosting and scratching.
Less Mess – Since it stays dry, there’s no heavy, wet bedding to deal with.

Best Bedding Materials for Dry Deep Bedding​

• Pine shavings – Highly absorbent and great for odor control.
• Wood chips – Long-lasting and helps with aeration.
• Straw – Provides insulation but needs regular fluffing.
• Hemp bedding – Super absorbent and dust-free.

*******************

I used to use wood chips as litter in my coop, but I switched to using paper shreds and like that even better. Paper shreds are dust free, much lighter than wood chips, and compost very fast. Plus, I no longer send any paper products to the recycle/landfill anymore. I use almost all our paper products as litter in the coop, then into the chicken run for composting.

 

[gtaus]

Ace Hardware Elevated Herb Garden

I visited our local Ace Hardware today and saw this nice elevated Herb Garden for sale...

Heck! I could make that out of pallet wood easy enough. I'm not sure why they use grow bags in the planter, but I am assuming it is to easily swap out herbs? Would you take out a grow bag and continue to grow those herbs inside the house in the winter? Not sure.

Because of the cardboard display, you are only seeing the front half of the planter. If you zoom in on the picture, you will see that the full planter has 8 bins with grow bags. It is 32 inches high, 31 inches long, and 23 inches deep.

Just for grins and giggles, I wondered how much they are selling that kit for? Get ready...

What!!! $110.00 for basically a scrap lumber project? I suggest if you like this Herb Garden idea just build your own out of pallet wood and save yourself $110.00.

Some of you may remember that last year I built a nice elevated planter for our deck. It was designed to use a large 27-gallon plastic tote inserted into the frame. I wanted to use the plastic totes to make the planter a self-wicking system, with a reservoir of water in the bottom. I was all excited about my idea, but Dear Wife was resistant to my creation. She said it would take up too much room on "her" deck. End of discussion.

For reference, here was my completed elevated tote planter pallet wood project that never found a home last year...

Anyone want to buy it? I'll sell it to you for $110.00! (Shipping not included) Guaranteed to be a better, stronger build than that Ace Hardware Herb Garden kit.

 

[chickengr]

Ace Hardware Elevated Herb Garden

I visited our local Ace Hardware today and saw this nice elevated Herb Garden for sale...

View attachment 4116754

Heck! I could make that out of pallet wood easy enough. I'm not sure why they use grow bags in the planter, but I am assuming it is to easily swap out herbs? Would you take out a grow bag and continue to grow those herbs inside the house in the winter? Not sure.

Because of the cardboard display, you are only seeing the front half of the planter. If you zoom in on the picture, you will see that the full planter has 8 bins with grow bags. It is 32 inches high, 31 inches long, and 23 inches deep.

Just for grins and giggles, I wondered how much they are selling that kit for? Get ready...

View attachment 4116756

What!!! $110.00 for basically a scrap lumber project? I suggest if you like this Herb Garden idea just build your own out of pallet wood and save yourself $110.00.

Some of you may remember that last year I built a nice elevated planter for our deck. It was designed to use a large 27-gallon plastic tote inserted into the frame. I wanted to use the plastic totes to make the planter a self-wicking system, with a reservoir of water in the bottom. I was all excited about my idea, but Dear Wife was resistant to my creation. She said it would take up too much room on "her" deck. End of discussion.

For reference, here was my completed elevated tote planter pallet wood project that never found a home last year...

View attachment 4116761

Anyone want to buy it? I'll sell it to you for $110.00! (Shipping not included) Guaranteed to be a better, stronger build than that Ace Hardware Herb Garden kit.

I think they use grow bags bc it is the cheapest thing they found. I believe 8 pcs wholesale price is less than 1$.

 

[Smokerbill]

I think they use grow bags bc it is the cheapest thing they found. I believe 8 pcs wholesale price is less than 1$.

I bet they also use grow bags to encourage more sales of replacement grow bags each season.

 

[Smokerbill]

Ace Hardware Elevated Herb Garden

I visited our local Ace Hardware today and saw this nice elevated Herb Garden for sale...

View attachment 4116754

Heck! I could make that out of pallet wood easy enough. I'm not sure why they use grow bags in the planter, but I am assuming it is to easily swap out herbs? Would you take out a grow bag and continue to grow those herbs inside the house in the winter? Not sure.

Because of the cardboard display, you are only seeing the front half of the planter. If you zoom in on the picture, you will see that the full planter has 8 bins with grow bags. It is 32 inches high, 31 inches long, and 23 inches deep.

Just for grins and giggles, I wondered how much they are selling that kit for? Get ready...

View attachment 4116756

What!!! $110.00 for basically a scrap lumber project? I suggest if you like this Herb Garden idea just build your own out of pallet wood and save yourself $110.00.

Some of you may remember that last year I built a nice elevated planter for our deck. It was designed to use a large 27-gallon plastic tote inserted into the frame. I wanted to use the plastic totes to make the planter a self-wicking system, with a reservoir of water in the bottom. I was all excited about my idea, but Dear Wife was resistant to my creation. She said it would take up too much room on "her" deck. End of discussion.

For reference, here was my completed elevated tote planter pallet wood project that never found a home last year...

View attachment 4116761

Anyone want to buy it? I'll sell it to you for $110.00! (Shipping not included) Guaranteed to be a better, stronger build than that Ace Hardware Herb Garden kit.

That's a very nice planter you built!

 

[gtaus]

I think they use grow bags bc it is the cheapest thing they found. I believe 8 pcs wholesale price is less than 1$.

I have never bought grow bags. I don't know how much they cost. I was thinking more like $1 each.

I bet they also use grow bags to encourage more sales of replacement grow bags each season.

That Ace Hardware Herb Garden had 8 bins and a grow bag in each bin. I don't know what advantage you would get with that design compared to just filling the entire planter with potting soil and growing your herbs in 8 different sections, for example.

That's a very nice planter you built!

Thanks. I really liked it and thought Dear Wife would be just as excited. But no, not even close. She just wants smaller, individual pots out on "her" deck.

Considering the time and effort it took to build that elevated planter for the deck, and not even using it, it was a disappointment. I was going to put it outside somewhere, but I prefer my pallet wood raised bed v2.0 design which is faster to build, and it is 4X larger for growing food.

I think if I build anything more this year, it will just be those raised beds.

 

[Smokerbill]

I'm monitoring the temperature of the chicken run woodchip bedding I shoveled into my pallet compost bin, using an old turkey fryer thermometer with a 10 or 12 inch probe.

Yesterday it was at 75°F. Today it's running at 85°F. I hope it makes it up to ~150°F and stays there for a while. That'll mean it's composting quickly and should be done sooner than expected.

I soaked it with a LOT of water as I layered on the old chips, so I don't think it'll need hosed down for a while.

I'm not sure if this is correct, but I'm assuming that all the nitrogen rich chicken droppings plus all the brown woodchips is a good mix for composting, without having to add additional fresh green compostables.

 

[fuzzi]

I'm monitoring the temperature of the chicken run woodchip bedding I shoveled into my pallet compost bin, using an old turkey fryer thermometer with a 10 or 12 inch probe.

Yesterday it was at 75°F. Today it's running at 85°F. I hope it makes it up to ~150°F and stays there for a while. That'll mean it's composting quickly and should be done sooner than expected.

I soaked it with a LOT of water as I layered on the old chips, so I don't think it'll need hosed down for a while.

I'm not sure if this is correct, but I'm assuming that all the nitrogen rich chicken droppings plus all the brown woodchips is a good mix for composting, without having to add additional fresh green compostables.

View attachment 4118120

Yep. You mix some brown stiff (leaves, wood chips) with some green stuff (vegetables, grass, droppings) and wet thoroughly but not so it's soggy. It needs air (oxygen) so let it dry out some. If you stir or turn it you will add air and speed up the process. Compost stinks if you have a bad balance: too much green stuff, too much water, or not enough air.

 

[gtaus]

I'm not sure if this is correct, but I'm assuming that all the nitrogen rich chicken droppings plus all the brown woodchips is a good mix for composting, without having to add additional fresh green compostables.

Yeah, I really like the looks of that compost bin. I'm no expert on compost bins, but if your woodchip pile does not heat up good with only chicken droppings mixed in, I would start dumping in grass clippings when you mow. I know for sure that grass clippings will heat up the pile.

 

[gtaus]

Outdoors Pallet Wood Storage Option to Consider

A week or so ago, I picked up a load of special pallets made out of all 2X4's. Mostly 6- and 7-foot boards, but a few that were 8 foot long...

I had to break them down on site because my 4X8 foot utility trailer was too small to load them up. Well, that, and they were too heavy for me to move by myself. I put the boards in my trailer and took them home to de-nail them. It took a couple of hours to get the trailer full of 2X4's de-nailed, but it was an easy job. I stacked the 2X4's on some sawhorses in the garage to see what I salavaged...

I created a spreadsheet with the lengths of the boards and found out that I got almost $200 worth of 2X4's if I had to buy them new. I was pretty jazzed about that salvage pickup. I have lots of good lumber in that pile for future projects.

However, as you can see, it was taking up way too much room in my garage and I could not get anything done with all that wood in the way. It had to be moved to storage.

I spent the past number of days looking at lumber storage options on YouTube. I don't have room to make a horizontal rack system on my walls. So that was not an option. I looked at a number of vertical storage options, which looked promising, but I needed to get the lumber out of the garage and stored outside.

I was thinking of making a vertical storage shed out of pallets, but I would need to make it 8 feet tall plus a bit more to get my longest boards in it. I was leaning that way, but then I read online that wood stored vertically outside was more prone to warping and bending. So, I gave up on that idea as well.

This afternoon, I finally came up with a simple, effective, outdoor storage solution for all those 2X4's...

I cleared out a small area under some trees and put down a couple of 4-foot pallets on the ground. That will keep the lumber off the ground. Then I put the lumber on the pallets, with the backends all at the same point. So, I can visually see how long the boards are in comparison to each other.

If you look at the backend of the wood, under the pine branches, there is a sawhorse back there. I have one more that I will put towards the front. I saved the two 8-foot long 2X4's to put on the sawhorses to hold a couple more pallets to act as a roof. I have some free Harbor Freight green tarps to cover the top and sides, so that should keep all the lumber below nice and dry.

No nails or screws needed. If I want to move everything, no problem. It would only take a few minutes to break it down and move it somewhere else. Well, the pallets and the sawhorses. Of course, moving the stack of lumber would take as long as it takes.

Is it a perfect storage option? I don't know about that, but it was easy to setup and should work fine until I use all that wood. As you can see, those 2X4's are in really good condition and I wanted to store them in a way that there are not exposed to the weather. I think I got lucky and discovered one way to do it.

Oh, and if you are wondering why I have some plastic garbage cans out there, it is because they are full of pallet wood planks that are de-nailed and ready to be used in a project. The tops on the garbage cans keep the wood dry. I had all those garbage cans full of wood in the garage last fall but had to move them outside for the winter. Believe it or not, it's more important to us to garage the cars in the winter!