Thoughts on Reclaimed Old Wood

[Flawedatdesign]

Okay have tons of old wood from misc stuff laying around. I could use it to expand and build new pens and stuff of the like. The only thing that concerns me is what the people driving by will think lol. I know it sounds crazy but I don't want people thinking I'm not taking care of the chickens because the pens and coops look so patched together.

 

[crossgirl]

You can always throw some paint on the finished projects. Paints makes everything look better! Or you could ut some boards into curves or shapes for trim which will give it a little more upscale look. I doubt anyone will think your chickens are uncared for based on the look of their coops or pens though. I think most people associate chickens with a rather unkept look which is why so many places resist allowing chickens in neighborhoods.

 

[XxKiki_Bantam_BreederxX]

when you are done, just sand and paint it.

Paint makes anything look so much better and ties a project together. It leaves it looking new without "costing new".

If you are really creative, let it work to your advantage and paint it crazy. Then they will only stare because of how cool it is.

 

[MVchickens]

I say go for it. Who cares what they think, if they have problems show them how well you take care of them. I build all my tractors, shelters, coops, And fencing out of recycled material. I havent bought anything from the lumber yard but a few boxes of screws.

 

[Enslaved-by-Ducks]

Who cares what people think...the main issue is that you are providing a safe environment for your birds. You are making an effort to show you care. I wouldnt worry and the more cool things you can assemble for your coop the better. It will be fine and you can add like hanging baskets and plant flowers and vines hanging down and spruce it up with cool yard-art....I have seen many coops and each one is interesting and a signature of your own ideas. Have fun and use all your old wood and use your imagination and it will be the talk of the town....Please send pics when your done. I designed our coop on a dime and it is the coolest........

 

[betsy329]

Go for it! First off, who care what they think as long as you know you are taking good care of your babies. Second, I am sure the chickens really do not care what the coop looks like as long as all their needs are met. And third, I personally love the ones that look patchworked together, makes it look more rustic and homemade.

 

[7L Farm]

I build all my coops from recycled wood. I occasionally have to buy some wood for the run but mainly recycled. I get good feed back from folks that like my coops. Here's my first one its a coop I found on my proberty & moved its super old vintage coop.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
I agree.

Flawedatdesign, do you live in a neighborhood where you all have "standards or other regulations" as far as how your property should "look?"

Everything that I use is recycled. As long as your chickens are safe and secure, then that is all that matters.

If you are feeling a bit skeptical as far as how your coop will 'look", check out our fun page that has pics of "ugly/tacky coops." I'm sure this will set your mind at ease when you see some of these coops.

And yes, please post pics, We would love to see

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=394207&p=1

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=333688&p=1

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
So do I.

 

[chickenboots]

We used free pallets to build ours. When we finished I thought it looked horrible. I painted it red and I love it now. Pallets work great here in FL since it is so hot. It allows for air flow to keep things cooler. That is if it can be cool at 98 degrees with 90 o/o humidity.