2 Hoop coop cattle panel questions

[mowin]

I'd add a ridge beam to help hold the shape

 

[aart]

I'd add a ridge beam to help hold the shape

That would tie the panels together, but not really "hold the shape".
May also add weight, which might move them in a direction not desired.

 

[mowin]

That would tie the panels together, but not really "hold the shape".
May also add weight, which might move them in a direction not desired.

Of course it would. A ridge beam would be supported by posts and attached to each coop.

 

[Brooks_]

Of course it would. A ridge beam would be supported by posts and attached to each coop.

Op was/is trying to keep lumber costs down.

 

[mowin]

Op was/is trying to keep lumber costs down.

I get that, but it's the best way to support the structure and hold it's shape.

 

[aart]

Of course it would. A ridge beam would be supported by posts and attached to each coop.

You didn't mention supporting structure.

 

[mowin]

You didn't mention supporting structure

A ridge beam isn't any good without a good supporting cast.

 

[aart]

A ridge beam isn't any good without a good supporting cast.

True Dat.

 

[Blooie]

Our hoop run is still standing strong after 7 years. I don’t have chickens anymore but it has served as a greenhouse, and when we built our new house this fall/early winter we needed a place to house our Golden Retriever and our Irish Wolfhound. We were living in a small camper and much of our fence had to be removed, and we sure couldn’t afford months of boarding them. Cattle panel hoop to the rescue. We still haven’t made any repairs at all to it.

We’ve learned that the stiffer and more reinforced the structure, the more it fights the wind and weather. Ours flexes with those forces and bounces right back. We’ve had winds officially recorded by the National Weather Service at 90 mph one January, and even with the snow load it handled the wild Wyoming weather with ease.

I know I was late coming into this thread, but working with Cattle panels and all of the possible applications for them is still so interesting to me. Every time we think it’s time to tear ours down, something else comes up for us to put it to use. The new house is built, the dogs are back inside with us, but when I look out the kitchen window there’s the hoop run just waiting for its next assignment. I think I’ll plant flowers around it and use it for housing the riding lawn mower, pop-up camper, and yard tools. Obviously it’s not one bit tired yet!

 

[affacat]

Might want to pound in a few Tposts at base of hoops on down hill side.

We were thinking about doing exactly this, but couldn't decide if we should do it preemptively or 'wait and see'.