Siding the coop: anything cheaper than plywood?

[rbd171]

go to the free section on craigslist.org/about/sites

i built my 8'x10' coup and 50'x8' run for less than 75 dollars. Most everything was obtained off of craigslist.

I had to closely monitor for weeks. when something i could use popped up, i would immediately call or email and then go pick it up. construction sites often throw away very good wood. go to the superintendant in the job shack and ask. you might have to go to a couple of sites before you find a guy who doesnt mind and who has the time to talk to you.

 

[Dancing]

Some places (like Lowes or HomeDepot) will sell "damaged" siding for 50% off. Might be a 9 foot peice of siding that has a corner broken off of. Cut it down to 8 foot and you have a perfect peice of siding for half the cost. Same with drywall and other building materials. Don't be shy about asking for help looking for damaged peices.

also keep in mind, two 4 foot peices of siding with a strip of flashing inbetween makes a great 8 foot wall.

 

[mechagrue]

Quote:
I wanted to second the second suggestion! I bought 3 sheets of 5mm plywood 4x8 from Lowe's last weekend for $10.62 each. If you don't have a big pickup truck (I don't) you can have them cut it for you into smaller pieces there.

I finally gave up stalking Craigslist and the local building recycling center. Plywood is a very hot item, everyone else kept snapping it up before I could get there! I wanted to be thrifty, but the chicks were growing so fast, and the brooder box in the living room... I finally decided the $30 was worth it to get them OUT OF THE HOUSE NOW.

 

[chickens3]

I use the thin plywood too it works out just fine.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi AMK3000,
Check your local saw mill for rough cut lumber. We went to ours this weekedn and foudn enough to make a 5' by 12' by 6'H coop for 75. It was from last year so was already weathered. Much of it was cedar. We were stunned the prices were so low. the lumberman was pleased to sell it to us. we also got 12 quan. 2" by 8" by 10 feet long rough cut timbers for a raised bed. price for all? 5.oo each = 60. for the 12 boards. Yeah, we were stunned, he was happy and the men started my veggie beds last night.
if you don't know of a saw mill near you, keyword search the net for "your State saw mill" In our Commonwealth a directory comes up.
3riverscheck

 

[lux_interior]

craigslist! I got plywood for my coop 1/2" thick for $3 a sheet!

 

[rainbowgardens]

I used OSB board for my walls.
I primed it good with KILZ and painted it with some excellent quality paint I got from Lowes in the mis-tint section. It was originally about $26, but I got it for $5.
I plan to keep a close eye on it and repaint if needed.
Of course, my coop is only 8'x8', so it's not a big deal. I still have lots of paint left, so it's just a matter of staying on top of things.

I know my paint will hold up well and protect the wood. Some of my hens are still wearing it from "helping" me paint the coop last fall!