Chicken House From a Twin Bed--DIY, Part 2.

Lucky me! When I took branches and leaves to the dump a few weeks ago, someone had illegally dropped off 3 doors and their framing, many pieces of plywood, Masonite? (that pressed dark brown stuff), some shower board (slick on one side), and various 2 x 4s and lumber. I loaded it up and brought it home!!!

I also had quite a bit of 2x4 odds and ends from a construction site near my son’s place. When I visited him, I’d check the dumpster and grab what I could!  Some pieces where almost 6’ long! Another thing I do is take scrap wood out of the trash at Menard's while I shop and throw it at the bottom of my cart--then say "This wood was in your trash--can I have it?" The checkers always say "Yes".

I cut one of the free doors for the floor of my chicken coop. (I had plans for the original mattress support.) I had to cut it a couple times to get it to fit—I’m not that great with a saw! I did put some narrow wood strips/scraps back into the cut sides of the door—using wood glue and clamps—have you ever seen what is inside a cheap door??! Nothing but air and cardboard, ugh.

Leftover Kilz  primer was painted on—I tried to paint all the pieces as I created them. I had this old dresser drawer saved and after tacking in some tiny strips along the back, I slid a piece of ¼” plywood down the center to divide it into 2 nest boxes. I’m glad I didn’t paint it white yet, because it just seemed too big. My backyard neighbor had a broken chest of drawers in her trash—I salvaged it for smaller, easier-to-move nest boxes and the dresser's side was cut narrower for a chicken ladder--watch for nails when sawing! Scroll all the way down to see the ladder...

The nest boxes were shortened even more, making them roughly 14 x 14”; I just glued, nailed and clamped the rear board back on. These will be easier to pick up for cleaning later, individually. I borrowed clamps from our Woods teacher.

Pinterest had lots of ‘chicken tractor’ ideas, so I knew I wanted tires. An old lawnmower hidden in the hydrangea bushes was yanked out for its wheels. I got three off with a mere modicum of cussing, but the 4^th was a killer.  WD-40 didn’t work, even hrs later-- I stripped the hex nut and got blood blisters. My neighbor wrenched it off next day—I guess I loosened it for him! I drilled holes and fastened them under the bed so I could push/pull it. Warning! It only pulls straight forward/backward—I wished it swiveled! I had 4 rollers off a desk chair, but was afraid they'd be too weak.

Some 3 x 3” posts (part of a palette?) were attached to the ‘front’ of the bed—one thing I regret is not sawing them off at an angle BEFORE. It would have made the roofing so much easier later…. Oh well.

 Stay tuned for the next section of Twin Bed Chicken Coop!...http://diederichtrashcraft.blogspot.com/2015/09/cheap-chicken-coop-from-bed-part-3.html