Chook Me!

Ideas for cheap and creative chicken coop building materials?

I am building a chicken coop for 3-6 bantams (about a quarter the size of regular chickens). I'm hoping to spend less than $200 on it, and trying to brainstorm creative materials that would be cheap. I have been scouring Craigslist hoping to find materials, such as small sheds, used coops or rabbit hutches, wood, etc, but no one seems to be selling for cheap, or they get snatched up too fast. Can you help me come up with ideas for some non-traditional building materials that might work? It needs to be predator proof. I get raccoons/coyotes/dogs/cats/hawks in the yard. The minimum size for the enclosed area is 6 square feet, so I was thinking of finding a large tupperware style container, but I want it to be as large as possible. The outdoor area needs to be fully enclosed. The important thing is that the chickens will be happy and healthy. If I can't afford a cage that meets their needs, then I won't get chickens. Thanks in advance for your ideas and advice. I'm also not sure how to adjust plans for bantams, since they are about 1/4 the weight of regular chickens (about half as tall and wide). Also, I want to get some silkies, which can jump at most 8", and have trouble with most perches. People have been telling me to use aviary wire. Is there something better?

Public Comments

1. can't think of any non traditional, but home depot sells cheap 2x4's that can be ripped on a table saw and that would save at least half the money right there
2. I used reclaimed lumber. Went around buying old structures and picking up things laying around here and there. Even bought a ton of wood from a liquidating closing retail store. I got 60 - 2"X4" X 8' boards for $14. Unheard of deal. I already had a barn. I used all of the wood to build a giant enclosed run. I have a huge coop with 21 large chickens. You are going to have to come across fencing though. If you have to buy it, it's about 50 bucks for 50 X 4 ft. I think they sell it in smaller rolls, but cant remember off hand.
3. You will need to fence in a run and ensure the fence is buried a few inches in the ground to slow down some animals..you will also have to run the fence above the area. The container you are thinking of will not do. Chickens like to roost up off the ground...natural instinct as free range ones will roost in trees at night. You best bet would be to put a wanted add up locally for a free storage shed that you can go and remove...put in a decent floor and some sort of shelving for them to nest/roost, close them up at night and let them run around the pen through the day. A deal will come along if you wait long enough. In the meantime you can keep an eye out for some decent fencing. Hope you can find what you need.
4. Bland-ex walls and roof with 2X2 framing and cedar shakes or shingles for the roof and side should be ok. But use a better plywood like bc for the floor. You will need a fence if you have that many predators around. Good luck!
5. go to Absolutely free plans.com there is plans for chicken coops there