Gabe4223's Chicken Coop

Trampoline Chicken Run and Drum Coop

I came up with the idea to use a trampoline frame as a chicken run. I needed to spend as little as possible but I also wanted it to be secure. Looks were not as important to me as it may be to others. Functionality is key in this build. 

So, FIRST I searched my local neighborhoods and sure enough I found one. For FREE! Yes I said FREE! You can too. Here is a good example. http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/com/2360199642.html 

Second, after getting it home I assembled it the way I wanted it to be...The fourth upright is not pictured. My trampoline was damaged when i got it. So in this picture the fourth upright is not shown. But I later, after repair, I spaced each upright evenly. Then, using staight peices allready cut for the trampoline, I inserted them in the T-connectors located in the centers of the uprights...

Third, I took a can of spray paint and marked where each upright touched the ground.Notice how shallow these holes are. I didnt want to kill myself digging 1 or 2 foot holes so i only dug out about 6 inches. This equals about 1.5 bags of ready mix concrete for 4 holes. So How did I attach the poles to the concrete? notice...

THEN, I cut 4 pieces of pipe about 7 inches and after mixing and pouring the concrete I inserted those pieces into the concrete, leaving about an 1.5'' sticking out above the ground. This would allow the upright pieces to be attached and secure... 

NOW, I after letting the concrete dry for a day I could then reassemble the uprights. Notice the end of this piece gets smaller at the end. This is a common piece on trampolines.This small end is important

 since it allows the uprights to slide over them...

NEXT, I attached a fence gate to one side of my tool shed.This is a gate and hinges I had laying aroung the house, so it did'nt cost me anything. Hopefully yours wont either. The concrete was left over from the 1.5 bags I used earlier. I simply dug a rectangle hole or trench about 1.5'' deep and filled it in with cement...

OK, it was time for the wire fencing. this was the most exspensive item. I paid $53 for two 50' roles of 2'x3' fence wire 36' high. I started at the bottom and tied one end to the upright frame, then i stretched the roll tight using a come-along. A good pair of tin snips, needle nose pliers and a pair of flexalble gloves will help you get this job done...

 To secure the wire fence on one end. I simply took the loose ends of the roll and wrapped the uprights then twisted the loose end to itself. Then to cut away the extra I used self-tapping screws. I paid about six dollars for a large box, but you really dont need many.

I worked from the bottom up securing the fence to the uprights untill I got to the shed. Then, instead of cutting away the excess I left it so that i could fasten the excess to the shed using some 1x1 wood I had laying around the house.

Next, came the pole next to and above the gate. This step is not too difficult but it was more complex for me becuase instead of buying new poles, I simply welded some of the extra straight peices together. It saved me about $15 dollars. I utilized two of the extra T-connectors that were left over from the trampoline.The up and down pole had to have a bend in it in order to attach to the arch and it also had to have a T-connector. The second picture shows where the bend was cut. The third picture shows the horizontal pole attached to the shed using an old cabinet hinge.

After the gate was in place i finished covering the run with the wire fence. Sorry about sideways pic. 

Then,  I built the coop using a 55 gallon drum $7. 

This build took me about 20 Hrs. and cost me about $65. It may cost more depending on if you have to buy the trampoline and the wood and the concrete etc. I used the trampoline mat for shade since it has been 105 degrees lately. Im sure my flock will appreciate that. I am very proud om my trampoline run and drum coop.

Thanks for taking the time to read my page. hope you enjoyed it.