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

[Nikkumz]

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I agree with this...Your best bet is getting rid of the problem. Any way you can fox-proof your property a little better? Put out a live trap with an already dead chicken in it or other bait, or just wait for him. Thats something your husband could do since he cant help with the coop

He'd probably have fun too!

 

[jamband]

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I don't know about fox but I have been told several times once people killed or trapped a racoon they realized that racoon was the only thing keeping away other racoons......I like the idea of a healthy ecosystem surrounding you and therefore predators already having plenty of food to eat.

 

[lorihadams]

do something in a triangle shape....they go together pretty quick. We have a big tractor that we built from scrap 2x4s for the bottom and 2x2's on the top.

pallet coops can be good but if something is getting them during the day then I think some sort of fencing is in need.

 

[Hoosierchickens]

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+1

I would think that a pallet coop or an A-frame coop would be the quickest and easiest to construct.

 

[MeowCluckBark]

It sounds like you have a coop but need a protected run for them during the day to go into? I like the idea of a pvc frame for the run to be built on. If you can find something that would work with the materials you have you can just be a little creative.

I built frames out of 2"x4"s and am covering mine with hardware cloth and chicken wire to make it tall enough for me to be in. If you don't care about you fitting in the run too you can just make it high enough for the girls 2-3 feet tall. That will save a lot of material.

Do what you can and make it bigger when you can. The chickens won't care or understand about financial issues. Just do what you can for them. I'm sure they'd be happier in a smaller space than being a fox's dinner.

 

[Carol.in.WV]

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Thanks, great idea! I need to start checking more.

 

[Carol.in.WV]

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Good thought. They are so happy free-ranging but yesterday I saw them near the road on the neighbors newly planted garden. More of this and they will be unpopular.

 

[Carol.in.WV]

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I agree with this...Your best bet is getting rid of the problem. Any way you can fox-proof your property a little better? Put out a live trap with an already dead chicken in it or other bait, or just wait for him. Thats something your husband could do since he cant help with the coop

He'd probably have fun too!

I imagine he would have fun but his (and my) eyesight isn't so good and we're not experienced with firearms but that gives me a great idea. A guy that has a camp above us on the mountain is a big hunter as is a another neighbor and I'll ask them to hunt the fox.

 

[Carol.in.WV]

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Thanks for the idea. We have a lot of 10 foot lengths laying around as well as connectors that we aren't going to use in the house because these parts have been out in the weather for years. Got to go take a look and plan some runs.

 

[FrenchToast]

I've got two old metal swing sets that I plan on painting and using for my silkie's runs and having hubby make an A frame coop on the end. Might divided the run in half and have an A frame on each end. Swing set Condo !!

You can also use an old wood swing set. We took an old wood swing set that had the fort (don't know what else to call it) and used that as the frame. Built two coops out of it, upper and lower.
It really didn't save to much money since we live in NE WI and we had to put inside walls on etc but it did save the 2x4s for the frame.

We too had a fox last year that raided out free ranging chickens during the day. Should almost be time for them to start coming around again so I too will need to put up some fencing.

Oh and we ran out of coop space and found old truck campers on Craigs list to use for coops. Two of the three had already been used for coops. These are the slide in campers, not the toppers.

A neighbor had a coop made using a truck topper as the roof.... The ideas are limitless !!! I also love Craigslist however everytime I keep an eye out for a horse or animal for a friend or neighbor, I COME HOME WITH SOMETHING !!