Submit your small coops and cost!

[4theloveofhens]

Hey Everyone

I am in need of some good ideas for a coop. I have four chicks (or WILL by June 7th) and am trying to create the ultimate cost efficient, space efficient, safe coop for my ladies. I am on a TIGHT budget, but still want the coop to look decent as the coop will be in close quarters with the neighbors. I am moving soon and will either build a run or use part of my fenced yard. I need something simple (no extravagant building skills here) although I am convincing the boyfriend to get his butt in gear with the help (thankfully he wants chickens as well!)! I will have basic tools (saw, hammer, drill, boyfriend, lemonade).

Please submit your "smaller" coops and their estimated cost of building and the number of hens that occupy. I plan to get any materials I can recycled.

THANKS so much for your posts!

**edit, I live in CO so i need something that'll be good in winter and summer!

 

[PineappleMama]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=335879

The coop wasn't all that pricey... one piece of plywood... was it six 2x4 studs...
It was the aviary that added up... starplates were 80ish... and the HC to cover it... got really pricey.

But we're happy with it, dogs can't get in, no problems with coons or possums thus far *knocks on head* and our four girls have plenty of room.

 

[TaylorC]

I'm in Northern CO, and have basically zero for budget, but with organic eggs going for $4/dz and us eating almost 2dz/wk there's incentive to invest. I have almost finished a (relatively) giant coop for my seven birds, and I think I have about $150 in it. It's 6'x6' and 5' high on one side, 4' on the other, on 18" legs sitting on concrete footings, 6'x7' run, vinyl tub floor, two very large doors, a double-paned window, louvered vent, 2'x4' poop tray drawer, etc., etc. Scour Craigslist, post want ads and tell all your friends you need OSB, plywood, 2x4's roofing materials, screws, nails, vinyl flooring, hardware cloth, welded wire fence and any other sort of sheetgoods or building mat'ls.
Amass a bunch of material and then figure out a coop to build. Going the other way is bound to cost more.

 

[Morgan7782]

Mine is only big enough for 2 standard hens or to brood chicks outside in, but it works with my two girls! Base was a extra large dog kennel, size is 2 ft by 4 ft. I had the kennel lying around, and got free plywood off craigslist. This cost me a total of 0.00!

work in progress to finished product:

It's not the best, but haven't had predetor issues so far. Until I get a bigger coop and more chickens it will do just fine

 

[sashurlow]

I really cant comment on my coop because it got a little more expensive than wanted (5-600?). A few thoughts though. You only need a 4x4ft coop. Make it a 4x6 anyway. You very well might want to more chickens and a larger coop won't hurt them. You will need 40sq/ft of run space (4x10, 8x5). One of the most expensive materials is hardware cloth. Spend a little bit of money on predator proofing, it will save you money on the long run (ie, a floor, hardware cloth vs chicken wire, an apron around the run/coop). Spend money on insulation, it will save you money on heating the coop. Don't forget to look through the coop design pages.
I would love to here from others the cheapest design. Hoop vs "A" frame vs rectangular. Of course "found" is cheaper.
Scott

 

[Kansaseq]

Mine was free. Neighbors were going to trash it, so I asked for it. Had to replace a side wall or two, but had some plywood laying around, as well as hardware cloth, fence boards (for the floor and door). I probably spent about $20 on paint and hardware. The run was also free, from the same neighbor. Used dog run. It's not pretty, and I have yet to finish the roof (have plastic stapled on top of plywood), but it works. What can I say, I have wonderful neighbors!

First coop was an old doghouse/shed that came with the house. I slapped a front on it, cut a door, and viola; chicken coop! Rustic, but goes with the character of my property.

 

[CapeCodJohn]

I had no access to free or scrap lumber had to buy everything.
maybe my coop design would help you, you could build it without the run part and add just a simple fenced run.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=58960

 

[1newchickontheblock]

Quote:
One always has access to free stuff!! (a la Freecycle.org, craigslist, etc...

)
Just have to look harder

Cheers!

 

[Wabi Sabi]

Here's mine, cost about $150: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=350596

Here are a couple more that I've been looking at online recently:

http://www.toastyfrog.net/2010/05/07/my-diy-chicken-coop-and-run/

http://greengardengirl.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/how-to-convert-an-old-dog-house-into-a-chicken-coop/

The key to doing any of these cheaply, it seems (including my own coop) is combing clearance aisles, garage sales, Grandma's barn, Craigslist, etc. I've seen those plastic deck storage boxes at cheap discounters and garage sales, plus on clearance at hardware stores. I saw a huge cedar doghouse at TJ Maxx last week for $60. Thinking about getting one to build another coop if they still have them. I've also seen people use those Igloo style doghouses and even plastic Step 2/Little Tyke style kiddie playhouses that can be often found used and cheap.

 

[Bearsfan]

Quote:
One always has access to free stuff!! (a la Freecycle.org, craigslist, etc...

)
Just have to look harder

Cheers!

I pick up truck loads of material from printing companies sometimes. They get their roll stock delivered propped up off of the floor by scrap 2x4's and 1x3's. (To prevent water damage) I asked them last time I was at the printing co. what they do with all of the pallets of scrap wood, the answer is that they throw it away! I asked for a couple of pallets of it and they just gave it to me. Sure they aren't longer that 50", but I just scabbed them together and you're good to go!

Check the printing companies.