What is the fastest to build and also the cheapest coop?

[Carol.in.WV]

I really need to get some coops built NOW. I need housing for a Splash silkie roo and about 6 hens, a Partridge Silkie roo and about 3 hens, 2 pairs of d'Uccles and something for new babies and their momma as well as something for a Jap roo and 2 hens and also 3 Cornish bantam hens. A fox has taken about half of my chickens usually during the day, and I am tired of losing them.

To work with I have some small sections of metal roofing, some boards, some fiberglass pieces, some windows from old houses ....big and about 6 new basement type windows. I also have some chicken wire and a roll of hardware cloth. Have some 1x1 tomato stakes (painted to use) and some 2x2 PT as well as all sorts of misc. boards etc. I have waited in vain for my husband to help but his back is bothering him and I am tired of waiting. So I could use some ideas. I also have some pallets around and some silver colored house sheathing (lots of that).

 

[Illia]

From my experience. . . Pallet coops. If you've got the vehicle to nab 'em - Grab some pallets, they're usually free, and look up "pallet coop" - You should find a lot of ideas for how to build it.

 

[gbeauvin]

Are you able to buy any new materials? Just for speed of assembly, it seems like a hoop coop would go together mighty quick.

-GB (who notes that he has not yet built a coop, so take a healthy dose of salt with his advice)

 

[knjinnm]

Fast and cheap usually means predators easily gain access.

 

[kasey08]

A fox has taken about half of my chickens usually during the day, and I am tired of losing them.

How was your other built? you may just need to fix it up​

 

[Carol.in.WV]

Quote:
How was your other built? you may just need to fix it up

They weren't taken from a coop. They were free-ranging and taken during the day. The coop I have someone else built on the place and we re-habed it with roosts and new roof but it is now being used just for the mommas and babies. Some of my chickens roost in the rafters of the horse's stall (they are safe there, but get caught when they come out in the am), and the others roost in an area of the house and are predator free, but I keep them penned up till I think the fox has given up then let them out and they are not happy waiting so long. BUT the fox out-foxed me and started coming back for lunch and nabbed some just about 2 feet from the front door in the mid-afternoon.

gbeauvin, no I am not in a position to buy new materials, the fox having messed with my chicken income.

Illia, I will look up pallet coops although it seems I had done that and found people took them apart to use the boards. Thanks for reminding me. I think I have enough pallets to cobble at least one together and had planned to do that before winter set in and gathered the stuff together but I know we removed a few pallets for something else. I'll look around though and may find enough.

 

[Gmasandy]

I searched Craigs list for a storage shed. It took a couple of weeks, checking every day, Sometimes more than once a day, but we finally got one that is PERFECT for $50 plus the cost of the wire for the run. A little remodeling and add a couple of nesting boxes and a nice big run....tada! I saw chicken wire on Craigs list, too. You could probably find used/scrap lumber there too. I love craigs list!

 

[outdoor junkie]

Could help your cause if you sit and wait for the fox to come by for breakfast or lunch and put a little lead in him. Once they know there is a easy meal around they will continue to return daily, and god forbid it's a mom with pups, because they will be coming with her too soon enough. Good luck.

 

[macadam8157]

Fast and cheap! PVC Coops and runs. Google it.

 

[flowergirl60]

Quote:
This is very true.