Chook Me!

chicken coop materials?

what kind of wood would be cheaper to build a chicken coop? also where i can find the prices of the wood. I'm planning to build a 24'x24' coop. Also I'm plannig to put some fencing, likes chain fencing something like that i don't know exactly the name but is chain something, what kind of fence is cheaper and what are the prices?

Public Comments

1. Planning ahead on size and style of coop before you purchase your materials will save money and prevent waste Things You'll Need Chicken Wire Fencing Pliers Hen Nesting Boxes Work Gloves On-off Timers Cement Blocks Electric Fans Fence Posts Light Fixtures Measuring Tapes Salvaged Windows Shovels 2-by-4 Boards New Or Used Lumber Electrical Wires Hammers Insulation Salvaged Doors Step OneDecide on style of barn or shed. Each chicken needs around 2 square feet of floor space. Step TwoUse insulation in walls and ceiling, if you live in a very cold area, to help maintain a comfortable temperature for your chickens. Step ThreeUse old doors or windows to let in light and air in the summer. Step FourWire your chicken house for lights and, possibly, a fan if you have very hot summers. Chickens need 14 hours of light a day to lay consistently. Step FivePut your light bulb on a timer for use during the winter months. Step SixDecide on the size of your fenced-in run. Step SevenUse good mesh chicken wire and posts around perimeter of run. Chicken wire comes in all heights and sells by the running foot. Measure the perimeter of your pen and add a few extra feet to allow for overlap onto side of barn. Step EightBury wire in ground to help keep foxes from digging under wire. Or nail 2-by-4s on the inside of the pen around the base and put cement blocks around the outside. Step NineProvide nests for your hens - watch farm auctions for used nests or build your own out of milk crates or wooden boxes. Do not use treated lumber. Tips & Warnings A dirt floor is all right for your coop. A cement floor is easier to clean but is more expensive to install. If you decide on a wooden floor, it will need to be raised about 1 foot off the ground. You can use cement blocks as a foundation for the building. Watch your newspaper for local auctions for used building materials and supplies. Salvage yards provide good sources for doors, windows and cement blocks.
2. Use redwood or at least pressure treated wood for the framing. It will weather well. Get regular chicken wire for all the sides , top , and if you are smart, the floor as well. Chickens dig alot , and will create holes in the dirt. That will make it easy for preditors to get in sooner or later. I learned that from experience. You need to build or find some wood or wire laying nests as well. And do not forget shade and wind and rain protection. There are lots of ways to accomplish all those requirements. Many from found materials. Chicken aren't fussy about esthetics, as long as you cover these basics.
3. If you have a local sawmill, then you can buy good (cheap) wood from them. I would use chicken wire which can be purchased at most all hardware stores.
4. Forget building stuff thats too much, check this out, go and find a old cotton trailer turn it over and cut a door into the wire and use wire to shut it evertime you go in and out. to make a shelter for it simply put up plywood by drilling wholes every two foot and wire it to the side of the trailer. wham bam thank ya ma'am- cost depending on trailer .... 100$