Pallets for a Barn | Chickens in the Road

Mar
12

We’re going to build a pallet barn! We’re in the process of hauling home 40 of these massive six-foot pallets (for FREE!) to build a hay barn in the meadow bottom over a pre-existing 22′ x 24′ cement pad. It’ll need a roof and a loft (and doors), and can double as a sheep shelter. Frugal hay barn, here we come!

By the way “sheep shelter” is an oxymoron since it will be a miracle if the sheep will ever deign to enter its doors.

You can read more about pallet barns and check out some handy links in the pallet barn topic on the CITR forum here.

P.S. We will not be tearing them apart and pulling nails. We will be using the pallets as they are. (See link above to forum topic on pallet barns with links to pictures.)

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3-12
10:12
am

Yay, a barn at last! Have fun pulling out all those nails! But it will be worth it, FREE wood, hurray!

brookdale

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3-12
10:15
am

brookdale, check out the link to the forum topic and the links to pics there of pallet barns. We will NOT be pulling the nails–we’ll be using the pallets as they are!

Suzanne McMinn

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3-12
10:16
am

Oh, perfect! This week I drove by a new Michael’s store and they had a huge dumpster outside with pallets in it. I wanted like anything to pack up the whole thing but I have no real application in mind so I left them…

Ruth C

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3-12
10:16
am

Hurray!!! Great find, Suzanne!

texwisgirl

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3-12
11:00
am

My DH has built several sheds out of pallets (Dad did too). Our big barn (40X75) is even made of them. They can be really sturdy if you do it right. They sure do make it cheaper too, if you can find free ones like we did. DH wrote a short e-book a while ago about how to do it, it was before we did the barn I think, so I’m not sure that he mentions it in it, but if you are interested he sells them for $8.00 on his blog.

http://scroungeman.blogspot.com/p/art-of-scrounging-e-books.html

Just scroll down to the poll/pallet one. If you are interested in it, to make sure you like his e-book style and can open them, you can download a free one on making a goat milking stanchion…click on the free e-book link at the top of the page.

I’m sure he would be happy to answer questions you have too, his contact info is on his blog on his contact me page.

I don’t remember exactly what we spent to build our barn (DH would remember), but it wasn’t much because we also scrounged the metal we put on the outside of it…and the rafters we had purchased cheap at an auction when a mobile home company was closing down. Course it’s not as “pretty” as what most people want, because of the “used” metal, but the animals sure don’t seem to mind, and it kept us from having to go further into debt!!

Deb

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3-12
11:04
am

as usual….you are way cool!!! can’t wait to see the ongoing progress (is that redundant?) and finished product…and no, the collective Borg-brain of the sheep will probably disdain the structure…

iowacowgirl

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3-12
12:12
pm

Suzanne here are some ideas for any left over pallets unless you are sick of them after the barn is finished. Donna at Funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com uses pallets to make amazing furniture for her home. Her desks are great and her style of personalizing them is inspired. Old ladders, pallets, fence gates, bed springs take on new life in her home. Also look at her ‘barn door’ sliding door version for window coverings. Funky Junk is also on Facebook. I think anyone would enjoy checking it out.

Dee

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3-12
12:26
pm

Hubby’s work let’s him have all the free pallets he wants. He cuts them up and we use them in the fireplace.

Can’t wait to see how your pallet barn turns out!

Jessica

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3-12
1:38
pm

We used pallets to build our goat shelter and are planning on making a huge dog house for our new-to-the-family great pyr pair! Oh and compost shelters and…..and…. We LOVE pallets!

Beth

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3-12
1:51
pm

Great idea!!! Free is always best! Looking forward to seeing the progress!

Anne

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3-12
2:08
pm

Suzanne as for a roof maybe try looking for billboard tarps. They work great and usually are free. Love this idea. I have used these for gates and fences too.

Angela P

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3-12
2:26
pm

What a great idea!!! I’ve been in need of some kind of scrap wood to make certain things, and this is a great frugal idea! Thank You!!!!

Merlin

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3-12
3:22
pm

That is wonderful Suzanne! What a great find. I can’t wait to see pictures of your finished barn. Out my way it seems that most places covet their pallets, only wanting to give up those that are broken and ready for the fire pit.

TinaG

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3-12
7:26
pm

Great idea! I always thought you should invite us all to come to a Barn Raising! Maybe next year at the picnic we could build another one!!1

Kelly Walker

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3-12
7:32
pm

My goat’s house is made out of pallets. A really nice heavy duty plastic one that is solid on one side is the floor. Three additional one’s are the sides and we built a little slanted roof. Filled with hay they love it! The two labs in the back yard have a pallet doghouse. Again. One on the ground. Three on the sides and on the dog’s version- one for the roof and then covered with left over cypress siding. My daughters bf has a lot of them and is bringing me another haul so I can make yet ANOTHER chicken coop- this time for my banty hens. You can cover them with whatever you wish but it really cuts down on the lumber expense for the main walls. I have a fence in mind (that one does require me pulling boards) and I am going to build a small barn to store all my feed and mower, wheelbarrow, etc as well as a seperate side to house sick or new animals in confinement until they can join the others. Pallets can be really helpful and need not look bad at all with just a little thought of the design and use. Good luck on your barn!!

Melinda

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3-12
8:06
pm

I LOVE this idea! Please be sure to post lots of how-to pictures.I’d love to build a garage out of them, but finding a source for them will be a bit tricky.Where did you get yours?

Cheryl LeMay

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3-12
8:16
pm

Cheryl, all sorts of businesses have them. Try lumber yards, warehouses, electrical supply houses, even regular grocery stores. Drive around the back places and see if you see pallets. A lot of times, they are EXCITED if you will take them away.

Suzanne McMinn

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3-13
8:38
am

Some years ago I had a canning cabinet built out of them. It was perfect for pints. I moved too much and lost track of it or would post a photo. The man who built it plained and jointed the wood so it looked like just another piece of furniture since I was in a small apartment. I am very excited for you to get your barn. BLESSINGS

holstein woman

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3-13
8:41
am

What a great idea! The free thing would grab me first of all. I know they are strong we have had some on the farm for 20 or more years …often out in weather and they are still sound.

I will be interested in following the construction.. Get that camera ready.

Glenda

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3-13
12:52
pm

I think this is a grand idea Suzanne. I’m so happy you’re doing this and I look forward to seeing the progress!

Miss Becky

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3-13
5:26
pm

So cool – lucky sheep. Yes I saw that they won’t ever use it.

lilac wolf

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3-13
6:21
pm

I would love to have a oppurtunity to read this book. Thanks so much.

frenchbread

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3-14
6:41
am

I checked out the links to pallet barns…wow, they’re pretty impressive. It’s amazing what you can do with other peoples scrap!

Sharon_C

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3-14
11:05
am

Good way to recycle.

Ramona

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