Sources for CHEEP (think FREE) coop building materials?!?!

[digitS']

Log cabin coop? Yes, I did that about 35 years ago

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I don't know what I can tell you. The coop was under a large roof which sheltered my stack of firewood.

One thing I did wrong was to make the coop too small. I don't know how many birds you are thinking of getting in a coop using 6-foot posts. Mine was probably built with similar length logs. After the flock got up to about 10 birds, the chickens decided that it was better to roost in the barn than return to the coop

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I do recall my uncle kidding me that the bears would have a hard time getting at them in their "log cabin."

Steve
Hey, I just noticed that the pic-of-the-week is of a rooster named . . . Steve!

 

[poltroon]

Our local dump has a "garage sale" section where stuff that is no longer wanted, but still useful, is placed.

 

[BethESH]

That's a great idea...the dump setting space aside. They actually have signs posted at our dumps telling us that scavenging is prohibited. It irks me when I see perfectly good reusable stuff sitting there to go into the landfill. Aren't we supposed to be recycling?!?!?

Okay, off my soapbox...

 

[warhorse]

My dad (retired) makes a past-time out of driving around to different construction sites (new home subdivisions) and picking up things that are discarded. Sometimes there are really good lengths of 2x4, 2x6, plywood, etc. as well as shingles and other misc. odds and ends.

If you keep an eye out in established subdivisions, sometimes people replace their privacy fence and you can get the old fence pickets.

Craigslist is another great resource.

 

[sewincircle]

Our local dump has a section for people to go in and take what others dont want. There is always good stuff in there. Garage doors and everything! Normally you go to the dump to get rid of stuff. Some leave with more than they came with. hehehe! Good luck. All the ideas here are great!

 

[sewincircle]

oops...post first read later...Poltroon already suggested that!

 

[jonny_v]

Another good source is auctions. I have picked up tons, (literally) of wood over the years for as little as a buck, at most 10-20 bucks for an entire pile, which includes just about everything you need. Our coop is built completely from reclaimed wood

The bigger the pile of wood the better, as usually around here it is sold as 1 lot. Most auction goers do not want the hassle of removing it so usually your bid is uncontested most of the time. There are also many other items you can use available at local auctions for pennies on the dollar compared to retail.

Try www.auctionzip.com enter your zip and see what’s in your area. It’s another source for useful stuff. If you’re in eastern PA and someone’s bidding against you on a big wood pile it’s probably me!

 

[BethESH]

Wow - you guys are terrific!

Turns out that the more people who know you're looking for supplies the more you'll end up with. I have about 100+ posts that I can have - and now my boss is offering me some free windows too!!!

digitS' :

I do recall my uncle kidding me that the bears would have a hard time getting at them in their "log cabin."

- we don't have too many bears on the peninsula...although they're seeing up on the north end. But they haven't made it down here on the "slower lower" yet.

I'm hoping that if I do a log-cabin type of coop that it'll be a little more substantial than if I do a regular post and beam. I'm thinking through the chinking question. Any thoughts?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!​

 

[FrChuckW]

Beth,

In regards to the chinking, if you can get some bags of quick set concrete at your local builders supply for about 3-4 dollars a bag, this time of year they should be reduced in price because of the weather. What you want to do is put a layer between each of the logs and especially at the joining points of the walls. This will not only add strength to the structure, but also help prevent unwanted smaller type vermin(like snakes, mice, rats) from wiggling in between the logs. Once you have the wall up, you can apply a coating over the joints on the outside to further seal up and prevent drafts. Just make sure that any openings you leave for windows, vents have hardware clothe and screening on them to also prevent unwanted visitors.

You will also want to put some kind of footing underneath the logs that would normally set on the ground. Make sure that it is deep enough to go below the frostline in your area to prevent any upheaval, and to prevent burrowing animals from getting into your coop.

To further make it look rustic you can use additional timbers to make the framing for your runs for your birds. Just make sure to bury the posts 2-3 feet deep and put gravel under and around them to provide drainage and help prevent them from rotting out at the bottoms. If you have any left over concrete from the chinking you can pour that around them for additional stability.

Hope this helps

 

[digitS']

Regarding 6' posts and size of coop: The joints take up some of the length. Let's say they are really good-sized posts - 6" diameter. You use the minimum overlap (a half notch) and lose 6" on each end of the posts. You'd lose 12" and the longest a wall could be would be 5'.

If you used the traditional saddle notch, that would give what most people think of as a log cabin look. However, the corners are set back even farther so the wall is even shorter. You may end up with only 4' on the interior.

One way to overcome this is to use something like 4 by 4 posts set vertically for the corners. Holes are drilled thru them to hold the ends of your poles with large screws or dowels. Now the interior walls are the full length of the poles. The look may or may not be what you want and the 4 by 4's may have to be purchased. Construction is quick since there's no notching of the poles. It should also be easier to frame a roof over the cabin.

Steve