Texas

[needlessjunk]

I contacted both a man in Florence and "Hillbilly Sawmill" on Craigslist. Both were willing to build and deliver a coop to Georgetown. I haven't seen either in person, but they are my backup plan if my coop doesn't turn out.

As for my coop, I have built the bottom support on 4x4 posts, framed the bottom, attached an OSB floor, and framed all of the walls. I think I have enough wood left to build a human door (which should be an adventure) and most of a run. I am probably going to use corrugated metal sheeting for the roof, so no more than $13 there. However, I am trying the keep the total cost of the coop under $100. I am currently at $19, thanks to some nice men at a construction site and Habitat Restore. This brings me to my questions:

1. The cheapest materials for the side of the coop that I have been able to find so far are cedar pickets. The thinner OSB would probably work as well, but I have very limited circular saw abilities. I have no idea how to cut a window and door opening. Any other ideas? I thought about recycling old fencing, but I can't fit whole panels in my minivan, and most of them in CL are whole panels.

2. Holy cow, hardware cloth is expensive!!!! I found a 4x25 ft roll at Home Depot for $58. Is there a cheaper place to find it in the Georgetown, RR, N Austin area? My coop is 4'x4', and I am planning on at least a 8'x6' run, plus some extra around the perimeter of the whole thing. I would like the run to be 5-6 ft tall so I can get inside to clean. Does the hardware cloth need to be used over the whole thing, or just a short way up on the sides? Is it necessary to also have hardware cloth on the top?

Thanks! You guys have been so helpful. I have learned a ton already!

I found Amazon has the best price to hardware cloth. I also took apart some pallets that use plywood for the tops of them. I then used that wood for the sides of my coop. It is a lot of work and you really have to be on top of getting the good types of pallets before someone else nabs them. Every once in a while someone will have a shipping crate on craigslist for free and that would be the way to go if you can snag it. It is hard to get though, trust me I've tried. Everyone knows the value of the wood so they go quick. There is also there Habitat Restore in Georgetown and the main larger one in Austin. Supposedly the Austin one has a lot of great stuff, but I haven't been. I used hardware cloth on all of my openings. I just don't want to chance it and I have a small coop. If you have a really large area what about using cow panels or chain link and go over just the bottom half with hardware cloth?

 

[wilded]

www.montopolissupply.com
in Austin has hardware cloth, welded wire, panels, steel, fencing and many other supplies at wholesale prices to the public.

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Just wanted to post a pic of my new chicks. They were born on Sat and I pick them up Tues!




Blue & Splash English Orpingtons and Black split to Spangle English/American Orpingtons. I"m so excited! Can't wait to get them!

How egg-citing!!!

Love the Orps breed!!! Have fun with your babies when you get them! Still getting ready for mine which will come in the last week of April!!! Getting Spreckle Sussex.

 

[Sunflowergirl]

I found Amazon has the best price to hardware cloth. I also took apart some pallets that use plywood for the tops of them. I then used that wood for the sides of my coop. It is a lot of work and you really have to be on top of getting the good types of pallets before someone else nabs them. Every once in a while someone will have a shipping crate on craigslist for free and that would be the way to go if you can snag it. It is hard to get though, trust me I've tried. Everyone knows the value of the wood so they go quick. There is also there Habitat Restore in Georgetown and the main larger one in Austin. Supposedly the Austin one has a lot of great stuff, but I haven't been. I used hardware cloth on all of my openings. I just don't want to chance it and I have a small coop. If you have a really large area what about using cow panels or chain link and go over just the bottom half with hardware cloth?

Thanks for the info on the hardware cloth! I know I still have not figured out the "ropes" of getting good pallets!!!

 

[Greywolf1962]

Anyone in the market for a one year old Blue English Orpington rooster? My phone won't let me post pics so shoot me a text for pics. 936-525-8530. New Waverly, Tx.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

Anyone in the market for a one year old Blue English Orpington rooster? My phone won't let me post pics so shoot me a text for pics. 936-525-8530. New Waverly, Tx.

I was considering a Buff eventually, because my son has two buff chicks.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

Rooster, there is a better tool to cut hardware cloth. I have one. It is the greatest thing since sliced bread!!! Here is a pic.


It cost about $40.00 dollars, and can out-cut any other method, hands down. I have been using it for about a year, and love it. I bought it a Lowes, but they don't carry it anymore. You can get it online. Just search for Skil Cutting Tool, and it should pop up.

I got the Angle Grinder on Sunday. Yours kind of reminds me of a battery powered drimel tool. You are right, there wasn't anything resembling what you have at the Lowe's where I got my angle grinder. I hope my angel grinder will do the job, I spent 60.00 on mine.

 

[kenmlang]

I think I missed the info on this one. When, where, cost? Most of the meet ups are on Saturday, but Sunday's work better for me. I would like to go.

It is being held at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on Airport Rd in Conroe. They hold 2 a year one on the first Sunday in May and the second on the first Sunday in October. Not sure of the time it opens, but I will find out. Mark your calender for May 3, 2015.

 

[kenmlang]

I got the Angle Grinder on Sunday. Yours kind of reminds me of a battery powered drimel tool. You are right, there wasn't anything resembling what you have at the Lowe's where I got my angle grinder. I hope my angel grinder will do the job, I spent 60.00 on mine.

If you are going to be at Trade Day, I will bring it with me, along with some hardware cloth scraps, and show you how good it works.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

If you are going to be at Trade Day, I will bring it with me, along with some hardware cloth scraps, and show you how good it works.

I hope to. I am trying to get my larger coop all squared away by the time the 22 straight runs come by the end of the month, first week of May. I will probably have to shove the other chicks out of the brooder into the large coop and buy myself 6-8 more weeks to get the other birds their own small coop.