subject: Design A Chicken Coop [print this page] Design A Chicken Coop Design A Chicken Coop
If you're like me, then you realize how outrageous buying a chicken coop is. They cost several hundred dollars, sometimes thousands of dollars. What are you really paying for though? It comes in a flat box and you have to assemble it ourselves anyway. What are you paying for? You're paying an outrageous price for materials you can get for less than half the cost. This is how to build a cheap chicken coop.
There are dozens of ways to build chicken houses. You can use PVC pipes, scrap metal, old sheds, and the list goes on and on. You're welcome to use those materials and any other ones you see fit, but I prefer to use old-fashioned wood. Although it is the priciest, you can often find great bargains at second-hand hardware stores.
I prefer lumber because in terms of durability, it gives us the most for our money. So yea, the lumber might cost more initially, but if the wooden coop lasts 2 years(hypothetically, they will last much longer than 2 years), and the PVC pipes only last one. You're gonna need to spend twice as much time, and money to get the same durability that lumber will give us. There are also three things you can do to help extend the life of the wooden coop.
Apply A Sealant
Before applying the sealant, make sure all debris is removed from the wood.
Fill In All Holes
When you put a nail in the wood, it allows water to seep in and decay it quicker. You can use wood putty or caulk to cover the nail or screw holes.
Apply Treatment To Cut Ends
If you applied chemicals before you cut the wood, the interior doesn't get the protection that the rest of the wood received. So if you apply the same treatment, this will also increase the life of the wood.
Imagine all the benefits of you designing your own chicken coop. The economy goes downhill, but you do not have to worry about it affecting you. You enjoy being self-reliant, you are a "do it yourselfer."You will be relieved and relaxed by not having to worry being burdened with a poor economy.
Not only do you get free eggs. Some of the other benefits include saving money on eggs, recycling your food scraps as chicken feed and having fertilizer for your flower beds and other plant needs.
