For most people, the reasons for building a chicken coop usually revolve around saving money on eggs, so if the goal is to save money, then that should begin with the construction of the chicken coop.
There is no point in having a huge construction budget, as it just lessens the chances of recouping your investment in the long run.
So, where to begin when it comes to building a chicken coop on a budget? It usually all starts out with finding plans that will match up with the space and size you have in mind.
There are literally thousands of different hen house plans available, and the good news for the budget conscious builder is that most of those can be found for free online.
Opting to build the coop yourself, or with the help of a few handy friends, will also save you a bunch of money over purchasing a kit, which you'd mostly likely have to piece together Ikea style anyways.
The next step is finding the materials that you will need to put together your coop, and as wood is the predominant material, it may be a good idea to head to the lumber yard and look for batches that have been discontinued or are on a deep discount.
If you don't mind begging a little, then you could also visit construction sites and speak to the site manager, asking if you could do a little dumpster diving to get your hands on lumber that would ordinarily just be tossed out anyways.
A lot of those scrap pieces may have nails and holes, but with a little work, they can be made to look as good as new.
When looking for wood, it's a good idea to keep in mind that most folks who start to raise chickens, end up expanding their operation over time, so plan on doubling or tripling the amount of wood you'll need for your initial plans.
If buying, getting that extra bulk order can help lower the price significantly.
Second hand stores and yard sales are another great way to get your hands on supplies and tools.
Picking up hammers and nails and cutting equipment can be pricy, but if you go the thrifty route, then you will be able to save money again.
Look on sites like eBay and Craigslist for tools, and you may even find people who are selling lumber and other essential parts at a fraction of the cost you'd expect to pay at hardware stores.
Keeping it simple will help keep the costs at a level that make the whole operation financially viable, and although you want to make sure that you build a coop that will be comfortable for your chicken, understanding that you are not building a reproduction of the Taj Mahal will ensure that you come in under budget, and that your efforts will bear fruit in the long term.
There is no point in having a huge construction budget, as it just lessens the chances of recouping your investment in the long run.
So, where to begin when it comes to building a chicken coop on a budget? It usually all starts out with finding plans that will match up with the space and size you have in mind.
There are literally thousands of different hen house plans available, and the good news for the budget conscious builder is that most of those can be found for free online.
Opting to build the coop yourself, or with the help of a few handy friends, will also save you a bunch of money over purchasing a kit, which you'd mostly likely have to piece together Ikea style anyways.
The next step is finding the materials that you will need to put together your coop, and as wood is the predominant material, it may be a good idea to head to the lumber yard and look for batches that have been discontinued or are on a deep discount.
If you don't mind begging a little, then you could also visit construction sites and speak to the site manager, asking if you could do a little dumpster diving to get your hands on lumber that would ordinarily just be tossed out anyways.
A lot of those scrap pieces may have nails and holes, but with a little work, they can be made to look as good as new.
When looking for wood, it's a good idea to keep in mind that most folks who start to raise chickens, end up expanding their operation over time, so plan on doubling or tripling the amount of wood you'll need for your initial plans.
If buying, getting that extra bulk order can help lower the price significantly.
Second hand stores and yard sales are another great way to get your hands on supplies and tools.
Picking up hammers and nails and cutting equipment can be pricy, but if you go the thrifty route, then you will be able to save money again.
Look on sites like eBay and Craigslist for tools, and you may even find people who are selling lumber and other essential parts at a fraction of the cost you'd expect to pay at hardware stores.
Keeping it simple will help keep the costs at a level that make the whole operation financially viable, and although you want to make sure that you build a coop that will be comfortable for your chicken, understanding that you are not building a reproduction of the Taj Mahal will ensure that you come in under budget, and that your efforts will bear fruit in the long term.
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