Mini-van-coop-fire evacuation-mobile, PREDATOR BREAK IN! - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by canesisters 

Just an idea.... I had planned to remove the motor and have the nest boxes under the hood so that I could just open the 'hatch' and get the eggs.   

Also, you might want to (if your not already planning to) cover every available window and door with hardware cloth so that you can still open them when it's hot.

 

 

Saw this and thought you might find it interesting.

The engine on this van still runs, although I need to jump start it right now to get it going (don't know if the battery is gone or it has just been sitting so long that it lost it's charge) and I intend to use it to move the tractor every day or so.  However, I am intrigued by the cover for the rear of the mini-van.  Do you know if this is a commercial product or something someone converted from an old tent?

It looks like it's attached to the van with bungie cords, and that alone  gives me some  good ideas.  I had purchased some of those stick on hooks that you can use for hanging artwork and kitchen towels, thinking to stick them to the outside of the van.  I might still try that, but reinforcing with bungie cords would be good too.  I'm trying to limit the number of screws I actually screw into the sheet metal, because I figure each hole will increase the speed that the poor old van rusts.

OK, I'm done for Wednesday.  I built the frame for the hatch-door wall.  While once again, I don't intend this wall to be predator proof, I'm worried that if I'm trying to chuck 35 reluctant 4-week-old Freedom Rangers into the van for the night I could badly injure or kill one slamming that hatch door down.  So, the idea is that the middle opening will be rigged like a pop door and the sides will be covered with something solid.  The top will be poultry netting, like in the front of the coop space.  I'll be able to close the chickens inside before actually closing the hatch.

I secured the tarp a bit better, having to cut it in one place so that I can access the van through one of the sliding doors if necessary.  I need another roll of duct tape to finish that part.  One roost is in place, but I need to purchase one more 8' 2"X4" for the  other roost.  They'll both be kind of low, but thought that would be better for meat chickens, plus it keeps them out of any drafts from the two side windows.

Hopefully will be finished tomorrow and can turn my attention to finishing the tractor and figuring out how the heck to attach it to the van.  Thanks Jenelle for the suggestion.  I'm thinking something along the same lines.