Cardboard Coop

[SandyRiverChick]

I've been collecting free plywood and pallets from FB marketplace for a bit, I was planning on making something from that. I do have a couple friends that could help, so I'll probably just stick to the reclaimed materials.

Now you're talkin. Check out this Pallet Project link and also Coops section for ideas and inspiration. You're already UpCycle minded by thinking of putting cardboard to good use, so just switch gears over to wood. I've used a dog house, old furniture, scraps. My coop is bomber and made from all kinds of re-used materials (less cardboard.) Good Luck!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/show-me-your-pallet-projects.1541562/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/

 

[shroomie]

Now you're talkin. Check out this Pallet Project link and also Coops section for ideas and inspiration. You're already UpCycle minded by thinking of putting cardboard to good use, so just switch gears over to wood. I've used a dog house, old furniture, scraps. My coop is bomber and made from all kinds of re-used materials (less cardboard.) Good Luck!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/show-me-your-pallet-projects.1541562/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/

These are super helpful! Thank you so much!
It's always hurt me to see good things go to waste, haha. And it doesn't help that it's free!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

These are super helpful! Thank you so much!
It's always hurt me to see good things go to waste, haha. And it doesn't help that it's free!

I share this trait!!! I really dislike waste. I've grown out of being cluttery but I really do my best to use what can be re-used. I took a sledge hammer to the worlds ugliest armoire from the 80's and turned it into nest boxes and poop boards. You can use cardboard in raised garden beds. I put layers of it in my compost because worms love to live under it....

 

[50-45-1]

Article 'My Coop' https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop.76267

My walking coop is made 98% all reclaimed, reused materials.

 

[AntiqueB]

I've been collecting free plywood and pallets from FB marketplace for a bit, I was planning on making something from that. I do have a couple friends that could help, so I'll probably just stick to the reclaimed materials. Sad I won't be able to make it a cute little house

You can still make it cute! Check out what others have built in the "coops" threads and articles

 

[Krugerrand]

Agreed. Any predator can tear cardboard apart. Mice will gnaw it for nesting.

I've heard hoop coops are easy to make. By the time you make cardboard pretty and sealed, you could have made a more secure coop.

YES! Take a look at Blooie's run. No framing required. Cover some cattle panel with hardware cloth and slap it up between steel T-posts.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/motel-chix.67240/

This could make a great temporary coop and then if you want, you can use the hoop structure for your run (or as a garden trellis) after you build another coop.

I used a cattle panel hoop run based on Blooie's.

 

[perkolator]

Use the pallet wood and make coop from that, some people have made some really really nice pallet coops. Heck, even just un-altered pallets screwed together would be more predator proof from anything that can't fit through the slats, than cardboard.

 

[countryladyNH]

Unfortunately, that is an Absurdly Bad idea.
Not strong or safe and some cardboard can leach chemicals. Not to mention the weather will destroy it.

I agree. NOT predator proof whatsoever and just...bad. With all the work even that would be to make I would suggest you go buy a temp coop from Craigs List or a cheap temp one somewhere else just until you can build a good one.

 

[AFG]

Look for a free dog house or kennel type structure. That might tide you over until you have time to build properly. BTW, chickens also love to eat the rigid insulation (pink or blue stuff). Have no idea why, but my girls free-ranging on 75 acres preferred to run to the garage area and eat weird stuff!