What do you (not) add to the cost of your chicken coop build?

[gtaus]

That's what I wonder about people who use pallets. It must be verrrrry time consuming to find usable ones....

Yeah, YouTube videos that show you how to make a pallet coop for $50, or something like that. Don't bother talking about how much time and effort to find the good pallets, time and effort to break down those pallets, removing all the metal nails or staples so you don't ruin your saws, cleaning up the wood, etc... I suspect you put in about $100 dollars of labor time just to get about $10 of usable wood. At least where I live.

I have seen pics and videos of some wonderful pallet projects, but the only thing I have done with "free" pallets is tie them together with some rope to make a compost bin.

 

[gtaus]

Take heart! I'm not "done," either. And you can see my coop on my coop page. That should make you feel better!

You have encouraged me to consider putting together a coop page when I finish the build. BTW, I saw the ladder in the background.... That's me for sure.

 

[gtaus]

I for one, would love to see pictures of this magnificent coop and run you've built! Share, please. You know what they say: "Pictures or it didn't happen!"

Ok, just published my coop page here. Hope you like it. Magnificent or not, the chicks love it and that's a win in my book. I just have a few things left to do (nest boxes) but it's mostly finished.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I will review it properly when I get a chance. Love it! And I love the compost set up! I might just steal that....

 

[gtaus]

I will review it properly when I get a chance. Love it! And I love the compost set up! I might just steal that....

I had a whole thread on the mobile compost pile for chicken coop idea. The concept evolved over the course of the thread and I ended up trying the 4 wheeled garden cart. The chicks love it. Since I don't want to sacrifice my (wife's) garden cart for the chicken run, I'll probably build something similar out of 2x4s and wire using wheels off an old broken down lawn mower. For those who haven't seen the mobile compost pile for the chicken coop, here is a pic.

I have just started the compost pile with some grass clippings and kitchen scraps, but will continue to add to it and fill it up over time. Also, once the chickens are used to going into the cart for foraging, I'll put up the side panel again so when they scratch around not everything gets thrown down to the ground.

So I guess I'll have to (not) add another $150 for the garden cart in the chicken run.