rustic chicken coop by faire 1two
So, you want to build a coop that is a little more substantial than the rustic example above, but you’ve never really built anything noteworthy in your life. Never fear – today’s episode is totally dedicated for those who are willing in spirit, but weak in skills. Chris Gleason, author and carpenter extraordinaire, is on this week’s episode to discuss his book, “The Art of the Chicken Coop,” and to tell you how you can master the art of coop building, even on your first attempt.
Chris Gleason 2012 – photo by Fox Chapel Publishing
Chris will discuss at length how to use recycled and reclaimed building materials when building your chicken coop and why that makes sense. One example of recycled building materials that Chris and I talk about is the ubiquitous pallet – literally found everywhere. It is estimated that in the United State alone, there are approximately 2 billion pallets carrying 80 percent of all of products of our commerce. According to some estimates, more than 46 percent of the total U.S. hardwood lumber production is used in making pallets. More concerning though is the fact than an estimated 185 million pallets ended up in American municipal landfills in 1995 alone. Pallets are a great source of free, usable wood available to everyone.
Chris and I also talk about the nine other books, besides “The Art of the Chicken Coop,” that he has penned over the past 10 years. Ten books published in ten years is an admirable feat to have accomplished. Chris’ books are all focused on DIY building projects. Here is a bibliography of his titles in order of newest to oldest in time: 1) Wood Pallet Projects: Cool and Easy-to-Make Projects for the Home and Garden published March 2013; 2) The Versatile Shed: How To Build, Renovate and Customize Your Bonus Space published September 2012; 3) Building Projects for Backyard Farmers and Home Gardeners: A Guide to 21 Handmade Structures for Homegrown Harvests published April 2012; 4) Art of the Chicken Coop: A Fun and Essential Guide to Housing Your Peeps published June 2011; 5) Backyard Projects for Today’s Homestead published March 2011; 6) Kitchen Makeovers for Any Budget: Layout, Design, Build published April 2010 – mixed media product; 7) Built-In Furniture For The Home: Storage Projects To Enhance Your Living Space (Popular Woodworking) published May 2008 – mixed media product; 8) Old-School Woodshop Accessories: 40 Tried-and-True Jigs, Fixtures and Tool Storage Projects (Popular Woodworking) published June 2007; 9) Complete Custom Closet: How to Make the Most of Every Space (Popular Woodworking) published December 2006; and 10) Building Real Furniture for Everyday Life (Popular Woodworking) published January 2006. Wowzers – that’s a lot of books! Yours truly here, actually built her coop using Chris’ book and following one of his designs. You can see a video of how I built my chicken coop here – proof that anyone can use his book and produce a serviceable and attractive coop.
Lastly, on today’s show – I have a contest for the listeners. I reveal in the Sally’s Sidenotes segment – not one, but TWO ways everyone can get two entries into the contest to win a copy of Chris Gleason’s chicken coop book. Be sure and listen to the show and find out how to try to win this useful and clever book.
Show Resources:
- Chris Gleason’s Interesting Furniture webpage LINK
- Chris Gleason’s Blog “Seeds and Sawdust” LINK
- Poultrykeeper.com Book Review of “The Art of the Chicken Coop” LINK
- Apartmenttherapy.com article about Chris Gleason LINK
- Utahstories.com article about Chris Gleason’s woodworking shop LINK
- 2 Billion Pallets in U.S. alone Slate article LINK
- PDF of research article on the pallets in U.S. landfills LINK
- Wasatch Community Gardens (in SLC, Utah) webpage LINK
- Info about Chickens 201 class offered by Wasatch Community Gardens LINK
- Restore – recycled building material stores run by Habitat for Humanity LINK
- Find a “Restore” near you LINK
- Second Chance Building Materials Center – store in Boise, ID selling donated recycled building materials and working with individuals who are in recovery for substance abuse/addiction LINK
Sally’s Sidenotes:
- Urban Chicken Podcast’s Facebook Page LINK
- Urban Chicken Podcast’s Twitter Account (urbanchxpodcast) LINK
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