Texas

[Nomibear]

Is anyone familiar with building with pallets?  I'm planning on a rather large building on my land, and my plans are using pallets and boards from the fence we just pulled down.  I'm pretty nervous about it as it will be my first time doing most of the building by myself as my building partner is now over 80 and feels this project is too much for him.  If I get it done right, it will be about a 26X17 building.  Most will be a coop, with a small section for storage and such.

What I have planed is just a Little smaller.

I looked into using pallets before I decided to build an open air coop. One of the biggest issues with pallets is removing the wood without splitting the boards to pieces. The best solution to that was to use a sawzall to cut the nails between the slats and two by fours.
The other issue with pallets is to make sure you get pallets that have not been sprayed with pesticides. You can do a google or bing search to find more info on that.

Hope this helps and good luck!

David

I'm also planning on leaving the pallets whole. My pallet/back wall will face the north and cut off most of the wind and cold rain. My shorter side walls will be mostly pallet, with open air/hardware cloth doors. My larger wall to the south will be screened in only, with access to their fenced off yard. I'm planning to divide the coop with access to two different yards. Now if I can just get this project finished...
Then I'll share some pics

 

[Nomibear]

I have built all my coops from pallets....but they may be a bit crude for your liking. Here's a few pictures.... This is the base, and the other two are the front and back. I don't take the boards off, I use the pallets whole. I cut a hole in the base and install a ladder so the chickens can be protected from the weather both inside and outside. Plus I add a yard on the front. Here's the end result. Not at all fancy, but quite inexpensive. I don't keep my feed in it however.

I think that's awesome! Is that a net covering it?

 

[Gittx]

I think that's awesome!
Is that a net covering it?

I use wire mesh in any opening except the door....even over eaves openings. Since I live in the forest I also bury wire around the entire exterior so critters don't get in. On this coop, on the front I have that clear plastic "roofing?" that can slide in a track so it can be taken off and on the coop with the seasons. I make a single pallet and double pallet coop too. Lots of options with pallets, but I build basically large and small versions of the same plan.

 

[needlessjunk]

I use wire mesh in any opening except the door....even over eaves openings.  Since I live in the forest I also bury wire around the entire exterior so critters don't get in.  On this coop, on the front I have that clear plastic "roofing?" that can slide in a track so it can be taken off and on the coop with the seasons.  I make a single pallet and double pallet coop too.  Lots of options with pallets, but I build basically large and small versions of the same plan.  

That looks great! I love pallets and my little duck house uses a pallet as a base. I found some crates and I'm using those to expand it as soon as the weather behaves.

 

[Belott]

I use wire mesh in any opening except the door....even over eaves openings.  Since I live in the forest I also bury wire around the entire exterior so critters don't get in.  On this coop, on the front I have that clear plastic "roofing?" that can slide in a track so it can be taken off and on the coop with the seasons.  I make a single pallet and double pallet coop too.  Lots of options with pallets, but I build basically large and small versions of the same plan.  

Looks Good Gittx!!!

I like your design and ingenuity!! I think your design would be a good addition to my existing coop. Did you cover the gaps between the slats with hardware cloth to keep snakes and small critters out?
Most of the pallets I have come across have some pretty wide gaps between slats. It's hard to find a good supply of usable pallets in my area.

David

 

[Gittx]

Yes, I almost wrap it in wire mesh if I'm not going to use plywood or something to cover it. I have taken many many trips to Home Depot for lumber from the seconds piles. (More than half off around here). Also you can order much cheaper wire mesh from Amazon (I have prime so free shipping to my door). The chickens don't seem to mind my frugal ways. We have pallet companies close, so pallets are an ideal building source, but I understand that sometime businesses will give them to you.....roofing contractors are one example. hope you're able to find a good supply.

 

[carikermoon]

Yes, I almost wrap it in wire mesh if I'm not going to use plywood or something to cover it. I have taken many many trips to Home Depot for lumber from the seconds piles. (More than half off around here). Also you can order much cheaper wire mesh from Amazon (I have prime so free shipping to my door). The chickens don't seem to mind my frugal ways. We have pallet companies close, so pallets are an ideal building source, but I understand that sometime businesses will give them to you.....roofing contractors are one example. hope you're able to find a good supply.

Trying to predator proof a small coop with an eye to building a bigger, better coop in the near future. Thank you for sharing--I greatly appreciate your info!

 

[Cowpoke]

Hello thudson,

I'm so glad that you are back and my hat is off to you! For knocking that Ole C-bug out of your body! That is something I think all of us over 50, are concerned about contracting.
It is Great to hear you have it Beat!

I Wish You The Very Best!

 

[Chicken Ladies]

We've had more snow & ice in last 2 weeks. Now it's raining, we need the mosture, it's just... My poor chickens need galoshes!

 

[kenmlang]

Hell All!! I am finally back. Had computer problems, and I think we finally got it fixed. How is everybody doing?? I'd ask what I have missed, but it would take me a few months to go thru it all.