I don't know if this has been mentioned before. We used wooden pallets that we got free from the local lumber yard for sides for our compost pile. They can be nailed or wired together and the slats allow plenty of aeration. For better stability, T-posts can be driven in the ground at the corners.

-- Patricia Sheek (pasheek@aol.com), January 07, 2001

Answers

I have mine raised up on pallets as well for air circulation. It seems to be rotting just fine and is keeping the questing tree roots out. (small size chicken wire on top of it to keep things from sifting down)

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), January 07, 2001.

Have you been peeking in our back yard? We set up 3 bins out of pallets. Work great, don't they.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 08, 2001.

I have used them that way for years.

-- Hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), January 08, 2001.

Any other good uses? I've seen them used for temp fencing and Countryside (I think) had a story about someone building a chicken coop from pallets and pallet parts. Anyone ever built a pallet barn?

-- Cash (cash@andcarry.com), January 08, 2001.

Here in Florida we don't need the kind of barns needed in cold country, though I would love to have one anyway, and someday I hope I will. But, yes, I have used wooden pallets for chicken pens, compost bins, and to build the shelter where I have my milking stanchion. I recently built a fence across the front of my yard out of pallets, and it is almost what you'd call a privacy fence. What would I do without pallets?? But, goats can jump over them, and even a fiesty calf can, so if I use them for these animals I have to add a row of wire at the top to make the fence taller.

-- Lela R. Picking (stllwtrs55@aol.com), January 13, 2001.

Have used them for sheep shelters, just wrap canvas over the top and three sides. After 6 years it's still standing, even after the kids have climbed on it for all these years too. My parents used pallets for their composting pile and I will not go near it as the snakes have taken up residency there!! What a scare to be turning the pile over and have several big snakes come slithering out. NO thanks!! Gives me the shivers. LOL

-- michelle (tsjheath@ainop.com), January 13, 2001.