Are pallet coops safe?

[Primo]

If everything is predator proof, no need to lock them up. You can use a simple latch with a snap hook. Or a couple sliding bolts. Quite a few options.

 

[FDaniels]

Thanks so much!! Is hardware cloth the safest option or is chicken wire ok? Is there a cheap strong chicken wire or should we just go with the hardware cloth?

 

[JaceAgain]

I would think pallets would be worse than pressure treated wood. Id maybe use them for the run, but not for the coop.

 

[FDaniels]

What about doing the coop out of pallets like this guy did?

http://thehomesteadingboards.com/2013/09/pallet-chicken-coop/

Do you think it would be safe & work ok doing it like this?

 

[JaceAgain]

Check this out http://earth911.com/health/how-to-safely-use-pallet-wood/2
Id use it if it were heat treated, but otherwise, no.

Theres a lot out there on the chemical grossness of pallets if you google

 

[FDaniels]

Thanks for the link & I have definitely reconsidered the pallet idea. I just don't want to risk their health. So I think I'm going to go with my original idea and just buy lumber from the Marvin's in my town. Quick question you may be able to help me out with: we are going to get 5 girl sex links on march 7th so we can get things built before getting them but we were talking last night about having to wait for about 5 months before they're old enough to lay eggs. Is it smart to go ahead & get 1 or 2 started pullets (looked at some on McMurray's site) so we can have eggs while the babies grow & then just move the babies outside with them? Or is this dangerous for the babies? Is there a safe way to mix young ones with older ones? The babies would be about 6 wks & the pullets would be about 22 to 26 wks old by the time the babies would be put outside with them. We're looking at the Red Star started pullets. Thanks!

 

[Mehjr10]

On my floor I used, treated 2x6 framing, with a some 1x10 Cypress salvage wood, I then covered it with Fiberglass wall panels to make it easy to clean.. No problem with predators to date, dogs keep them away.

I use bagged shavings for the nest boxes and put some on the floor if it get too wet. Other than that it is deep litter and I clean it in the spring..

I lock mine up every night.. I built an auto door that opens to let them out and closes after dark, so they are safe.

 

[LindaB220]

I had read about the apron so we decided that we would do that as well as bury wire straight down about a foot. We're going to use hardware cloth as well since it's stronger than chicken wire--or at least stronger than the wire sold in our town. And after looking around some more I think we're going to try the pallet idea. I'm thinking as long as I make sure everything is as strong as possible & fenced in then it should be safe for them. Also, what about heating? We live in Alabama & have hot humid summers but our winters fluctuate between 40ish highs & lows in the 20s & teens. This is one of the coldest spells we've ever had because of the arctic weather but it can still get pretty cold here even in a normal winter. Do you think we would need to put a heater in the coop? I read that a flat panel radiator heater is the safest. But where we have to build the coop isn't near an outlet. The only outside outlet we have is on the back of the house & the coop/run is being built in the front. Do you think as long as we insulated the coop with straw (stuffed into the pallet gaps & paneled inside & out that it would keep them warm enough with our temps? And is there a cheap way to make a feeder & waterer? For the baby chicks as well as when they get older? I'm trying to think of anything I can do for free that would work. Thanks!!

I live in NW La and totally clay area. I can't dig at all. No need really, I am putting an apron about 18" out on the ground of 2"x4" welded wire. You can cover it with dirt or just let grass grow through. No heater is necessary. I've heard that taping empty feed bags on the inside walls insulates also. Also consider deep litter and fermented feeds. Threads are available on search at top. Good luck.

 

[Mehjr10]

Check this out http://earth911.com/health/how-to-safely-use-pallet-wood/2
Id use it if it were heat treated, but otherwise, no.

Theres a lot out there on the chemical grossness of pallets if you google

Typically the pallets that you have to worry about being chemically treated are ones that come in from other country's, with imported goods. Pallets that are using pine or oak that are made in the states are not usually treated chemically to kill bugs that may enter the US., since the wood originated from the US.

 

[WYNot]

Hardware cloth is definitely a better option than chicken wire. Hardware cloth is tougher and critters can't reach through it to grab your chickens. Chicken wire can be relatively easy for a determined critter to tear apart.

Also, on the earlier question of filling in the gaps of the pallets with straw... Seems like that would just be adding good hiding/breeding space for bugs and mice. The air gap will be plenty of insulation as long as the coop has good ventilation and no drafts on the chickens.

For my coop...

Pic from the build, not completed.


I have two of these types of latches on the door I use to enter the coop. I figure a critter might be able to figure out one but would be tough to get to the second one at the top of the door. *shrugs* Of course that might be wishful thinking. The latches are on the left side of the door above and below the handle.

For the chicken door on the side, I use a hasp and a carabineer. The carabineer is just one of the cheap aluminum ones. If some critter ever manages to figure it out, I'll switch to a real one with a locking gate. I use the carabineer to hold open the door during the day. See pic below, easier than trying to explain it.

Thanks so much!! Is hardware cloth the safest option or is chicken wire ok? Is there a cheap strong chicken wire or should we just go with the hardware cloth?