Raising turkeys can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, but constructing a proper turkey coop can often feel like an expensive investment. However, with a bit of creativity and a commitment to using repurposed materials, it’s entirely possible to build a functional and sturdy turkey coop for under $50! Here’s how I did it, and you can too.
Start with a Plan
Before you start collecting materials, sketching a design for your turkey coop is essential. It’s crucial to visualize the placement of the coop and assess what resources you already have at your disposal. This preparation can help you determine if any groundwork needs to be done, such as leveling the area or salvaging nails from reclaimed wood, ensuring everything is ready when you begin construction. Turkeys require ample space, so your coop must be sufficiently large to house your growing flock comfortably. A general guideline is to provide about 10 square feet per turkey within the coop. Currently, I’ve got three turkeys, but I plan to increase my flock, which is why I chose a 10 x 20-foot dimension to give them plenty of room to thrive as well as space for future additions. For this project, I constructed a straightforward rectangular frame using free pallets sourced from Facebook Marketplace. Over this frame, I intended to create a “hoop coop effect” but instead of utilizing either a cattle panel or plumbing pipe. I opted for a couple of simple roof peaks and netting to keep my turkeys securely contained. It was cheaper and gave me the opportunity to use the netting. Additionally, I wanted to incorporate nesting areas for egg collection and designated roosting spots for their comfort.
Scavenge for Materials
To keep the costs down, I scoured my property, local construction sites, and online marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for repurposed materials. The key is to be resourceful, so don’t shy away from used or broken items that can be easily transformed into something useful.
Here’s a list of what I found and used:
Old wooden pallets – These are perfect for building the frame and walls of the coop. I was lucky enough to score a few for free from a local business. You can often find these behind stores or warehouses.
Bird Netting – I repurposed old bird netting I had saved from years prior but any ol chicken wire or fencing you have lying around will work. This will act as the coop’s outer barrier, keeping predators out and turkeys in.
Scrap plywood or boards – These were used for the coop’s floor and roof. I also used them to secure the pallets that formed the periemter. You can often find leftover plywood sheets at construction sites or salvage yards.
Clearance Buys – I used an old gazebo that I had bought on clearance a few years back. Everything was still in the box, we hadn’t even opened it. You could also use a tarp or a large piece of plastic sheeting as a waterproof cover for the roof, ensuring the coop stays dry during rain.
Building The Walls
I found some free pallets on Facebook Marketplace with this project in mind my husband and I decided to pick up a trailer full to take home. After laying out the perimeter for the turkey run I was building, I brought all the pallets in. Working solo on this section, I arranged the pallets on the ground and began assembling them. Using any scrap wood I could find, I secured the pallets together. Once I had enough pallets assembled for a wall, I stood them upright and drove T-posts into the ground alongside them. To ensure stability, I attached the pallets to the T-posts with plumber’s tape and repeated the process to construct the second wall.
Adding the Doors and Peaks
Once the walls were constructed and finished, my husband assisted me in determining the placement for the door while also crafting the roof peaks for the netted run. We needed to buy a couple of 2 x 4s since we didn’t have any suitable materials available. For the door, we repurposed a piece of cattle panel, it was already clipped to size (we had used it for another coop previously) and secured it to a T-post using tie wire.
Building the Structure
To create the necessary structures, both an interior and an exterior were designed. I envisioned a cozy coop for the turkeys to nest in, but I decided against adding roosts. My reasoning was that they would likely prefer roosting on top of the coop, as they do currently. To finalize the roof, we utilized a gazebo, which I had purchased for just $50 during a sale a few years back. Surprisingly, I had never opened it since I mistakenly believed it was a pop-up gazebo. Now seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally put it to use! With my vertically challenged stature, my husband stepped in to help assemble it, so I wouldn’t require a ladder to do so. Once the gazebo was up, he turned his attention to the coop. Using leftover plywood, he skillfully pieced together a functional structure for me.
Securing the Coop and Roof
Leftover bird netting from a previous chicken run presented both a challenge and an opportunity. Though it was tangled and messy, I was determined to make use of what we had rather than purchasing new materials. After untangling the netting, I draped it carefully over the top and over the pallet walls, securing it to the gazebo for added stability. To ensure it stayed in place, I fastened it with staples to the wooden frame.
The Total Cost
When it comes to the total cost of this project, I managed to keep it under $50. Here’s a breakdown:
– Wooden pallets: Free
– Bird Netting: Free (from scraps)
– Gazebo: Free (clearance buy from years back)
– Scrap plywood: Free (leftovers)
– 2 x 4 Boards: $30
– Nails, screws, and hardware: $15
– Straw bedding: Free (from my garden)
Conclusion
Through a mix of creativity and recycling materials, I constructed a sturdy turkey coop for less than $50. This project not only resulted in substantial savings, but it also contributed to waste reduction by utilizing resources I already had on hand. It demonstrates that with a bit of time, effort, and ingenuity, one can create something both practical and resilient without breaking the bank. While it may not be glamorous, it effectively keeps my turkey secure and protected. For those interested, I’ll share a link to our brief YouTube video below.
If you’re considering raising turkeys or any other poultry, I highly recommend looking at repurposed materials for your next coop build. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be doing your part to keep reusable items out of the landfill. Happy building!
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