Zero Cost Coop

So, when I decided to become a crazy chicken lady, I challenged myself to create a zero cost coop (for chickens I knew would free range all day on two acres) using things I already owned or could get for free. I divided my existing shed down the middle with a tarp. (If I keep adding chickens, I will have to give them the whole shed.) I put three wire baskets I found at the dump (enclosed them with roof shingles and wood) on the shelf in the shed for nesting boxes and added two buckets for additional nesting boxes. For roosting, I got four large tree stumps for free from a friend. (Each one should accommodate at least four chickens comfortably. 5-6 if they want to huddle). The concrete floor is covered with clean pine straw from my property. I am pretty happy with my zero cost coop setup and the chickens seem super comfortable. They return to their budget motel coop every night like clockwork at 8:30 to the minute! I can set my watch by them. Suggestions or criticisms are more than welcome. (Photos Attached)

We could suggest and criticize (and praise) better with photos. Your coop sounds very appealing. I love repurposing materials.

I would especially like to see a photo of the chickens roosting on the stumps.

azygous said:

We could suggest and criticize (and praise) better with photos. Your coop sounds very appealing. I love repurposing materials.

I would especially like to see a photo of the chickens roosting on the stumps.

Click to expand...

You didn't see photos? I attached two photos.

I am also curious about the roosting situation. Several chickens on a the same stump sounds like an interesting situation on where everyone will poop during the night.

Nestbox vs roost area might be a bit of a concern - chickens will typically head to higher places roost for the night. If your nestboxes are the highest places, I would imagine you would get a decent amount of hens sleeping in the nestbox, and the associated poop in the nestbox. They usual remedy for this is to have the roosting area at a higher level than the nesting area.

Also, just a bit of a personal preference here - I like to provide a step-in or hop-in experience for the nest boxes. For those fly-in nest boxes, I would imagine a risk of a hen flying into another hen currently laying, or landing on the eggs. A remedy for this would be to provide a walkway in front of the nesting area.

I replied to your thread before you edited the photos onto the post.

The only concern I have are the stumps for roosting. That's why I would like to see the chickens actually roosting on them. The purpose for a roosting bar is to direct the night poop away from the chicken's body. Sleeping in poop, especially on a hard surface, can amount to a lot of caked on poop on the abdominal area, and that will eventually irritate the skin.

Good for you!! Zero cost and mega creativity is the BEST!!! My first coop cost one big box of beer for man assistance lifting an old dog house onto a base that I built out of scrap wood. I actually really like the stump idea but I'd think one or 2 per stump... You could just find a decent sized branch and put that up in the coop so that they don't find the nest boxes appealing for sleep. I really do prefer to just find stuff and know I don't have a fortune in my coop, just fun figuring it out. After 20 years mine is absolutely huge but it's all recycled! Can't wait to see what you set up is after you've been crazy chicken lady for a long time.

Battlepants said:

I am also curious about the roosting situation. Several chickens on a the same stump sounds like an interesting situation on where everyone will poop during the night.

Nestbox vs roost area might be a bit of a concern - chickens will typically head to higher places roost for the night. If your nestboxes are the highest places, I would imagine you would get a decent amount of hens sleeping in the nestbox, and the associated poop in the nestbox. They usual remedy for this is to have the roosting area at a higher level than the nesting area.

Also, just a bit of a personal preference here - I like to provide a step-in or hop-in experience for the nest boxes. For those fly-in nest boxes, I would imagine a risk of a hen flying into another hen currently laying, or landing on the eggs. A remedy for this would be to provide a walkway in front of the nesting area.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply. I have not had any problem with hens trying to sleep in the nesting boxes so far. Each nesting box has a large stick attached to the front for hopping in or landing on. Not sure if you could see that in the photo. I scrape the poop off of the stumps every day. Only takes a minute.

SandyRiverChick said:

Good for you!! Zero cost and mega creativity is the BEST!!! My first coop cost one big box of beer for man assistance lifting an old dog house onto a base that I built out of scrap wood. I actually really like the stump idea but I'd think one or 2 per stump... You could just find a decent sized branch and put that up in the coop so that they don't find the nest boxes appealing for sleep. I really do prefer to just find stuff and know I don't have a fortune in my coop, just fun figuring it out. After 20 years mine is absolutely huge but it's all recycled! Can't wait to see what you set up is after you've been crazy chicken lady for a long time.

Click to expand...

thank you for your reply. Love the branch idea!

azygous said:

I replied to your thread before you edited the photos onto the post.

The only concern I have are the stumps for roosting. That's why I would like to see the chickens actually roosting on them. The purpose for a roosting bar is to direct the night poop away from the chicken's body. Sleeping in poop, especially on a hard surface, can amount to a lot of caked on poop on the abdominal area, and that will eventually irritate the skin.

Click to expand...

Hi azygous, what do you thing about me attaching a2x4 or tree limb on top of the stumps. I could position the board or limb near the back of the stumps so poop would fall onto the floor or the stump below. I could use screws to attach for stability. greatly appreciate your opinion or alternative suggestions. I just cant figure out how to attach a board or branch diagonally in the coop. any other direction is too long.

SandyRiverChick said:

Good for you!! Zero cost and mega creativity is the BEST!!! My first coop cost one big box of beer for man assistance lifting an old dog house onto a base that I built out of scrap wood. I actually really like the stump idea but I'd think one or 2 per stump... You could just find a decent sized branch and put that up in the coop so that they don't find the nest boxes appealing for sleep. I really do prefer to just find stuff and know I don't have a fortune in my coop, just fun figuring it out. After 20 years mine is absolutely huge but it's all recycled! Can't wait to see what you set up is after you've been crazy chicken lady for a long time.

Click to expand...

what do you thing about me attaching a2x4 or tree limb on top of the stumps. I could position the board or limb near the back of the stumps so poop would fall onto the floor or the stump below. I could use screws to attach for stability. greatly appreciate your opinion or alternative suggestions. I just cant figure out how to attach a board or branch diagonally in the coop. any other direction is too long.