Tips on building a cheapo coop and run?

[lazy gardener]

Every spring, I could pick up enough free ones at my town mall to make a green house.

 

[black_dove2]

Me too! They sell them cheap at the Restore if you can't find free ones.

Have you looked into Habitat for Humanity's Restore to see if there is one near you?

This is our local store link
http://www.hfhcv.org/restore.php

 

[achiekitty]

How about carpentry schools for lumber source? We have one nearby. They practice on 2x4’s - cutting and hammering nails on them. Then once a week, they put them in big metal bins, free for the taking.

 

[Nardo]

Hey! I have been looking around on here for a while at all the different coops people have built, but have been shocked by the prices. Any tips, ideas, or other info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!



Just adding another one to the mix. You'll be able to find all you want by following the very good advice in all of these replies. Happy building and keep us posted! We love pictures..and misery loves company. LOL Check out my coop by clicking on the link below my avatar.

 

[purslanegarden]

I got a lot of 2x4s for free, but when I first started, I didn't know how to frame the sides of the coop, so the coop looks a bit bad with some touch-up hammering to get things right. Be sure to check some Youtube videos about that if you're doing the sides like a shed style.

I had built a short coop before but this time when building a taller walk-inl coop, I didn't understand the value of having as straight as possible 2x4s, since for a short one, you often don't get into the curves of the 2x4 yet so that didn't come up before.

You can also see the sample sheds at Lowes or Home Depot that are on display, to give you ideas about how to connect things.

Definitely recommend 1/4" hardware cloth on the bottom 1-2 feet of the coop, then the upper portion can be regular chicken wire, if your coop is not being enclosed with wood as some of the designs here have shown

 

[mpoland33]

Lowes has good deal on white corrugated roofing 75% off going on now. I purchased 6 sheets and plan to upgrade next spring. It rain so much here that make the run so muddy and stink.

What kind of corrugated roofing do you use? I'm looking to build and see they have polycarb or PVC...not sure which is better

 

[speedy2020]

What kind of corrugated roofing do you use? I'm looking to build and see they have polycarb or PVC...not sure which is better

I would go with Polycarb. The PVC will be soft in high heat temperature condition. I have Polycarb patio cover for 15 years and still in very good shape.

 

[mpoland33]

I would go with Polycarb. The PVC will be soft in high heat temperature condition. I have Polycarb patio cover for 15 years and still in very good shape.

Great, there is only one local Lowes that has any stock..about 45 minutes away...heading there tomorrow...they only have 12' runs in stock too...so I'll cut them and use both pieces...I have a 4x6 coop

 

[blackdog043]

Great, there is only one local Lowes that has any stock..about 45 minutes away...heading there tomorrow...they only have 12' runs in stock too...so I'll cut them and use both pieces...I have a 4x6 coop

Before you go there, check your store online. different stores have different colors on sale and some have none on sale. I have about 8 - 10 Lowes within 45 minutes of me, that I checked the other day.

 

[mpoland33]

Before you go there, check your store online. different stores have different colors on sale and some have none on sale. I have about 8 - 10 Lowes within 45 minutes of me, that I checked the other day.

Yeah I did that. None of the closer stores have any. I was looking for them in a shorter length too but only 12'ers...whatever..it's going to save me a lot