This became REALLY LONG. Lots of links - both BYC & YouTube. Grab your favorite cuppa... ENJOY!
Edit to add - either i did something to change BYC settings, or ??? I can't use all the " neat things" BYC offers. Since links are just done not able to use BYCs "link builder", hold on the link & then click open in Chrome. If you don't use Chrome, either open another tab or click copy to open one yourself. Someday, I will figure out how to bring all BYCs "goodies" back. I miss BYCs specific emoji's...
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Ok. 1st attaching a link to all the things we've done. When you get to Front Yard coop #s 1 & 2, those are being refurbished now. They will be made 2' wider by adding a 2' base. They will be made 4' deeper (from one cattle panel to 2). All wood - pallets from front/back & bases) - are being removed. There will be only one wood object at this time - the roosts. The front will be a 10' wide dog kennel panels w/ gates set up on a layer of cinderblock. The front will have a wire apron. Have several ideas for the back - havent decided yet...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fgKYkhxNAXBnH6B36
In all actuality, all chicken areas on our property need to be updated , repaired &/or refurbished...
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So, in the link above, is how we built our 1st hoop coop. We didn't do wheels (im currently using a length of PVC to move our A-frame tractors. REALLY reduces wear & tear on the bases) or corner braces (bad idea not to install these, really are needed). There are several CP hoop coops in the tractor & coop areas of BYC. 2 are very heavy duty w/ GREAT details. I can attach more links in another thread. Honestly, I prefer a tractor I can stand in for larger grow outs & mature chickens. The babies, i can do in the doggie X-pens, but want to do some work on them to
Aart's Hoop Coop (SW MI)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/
Permanent Hoop Coop - (Chookaholic, NC)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/
Ms Biddy's CP Hoop Coop - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ms-biddys-cattle-panel-hoop-coop.73755/
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A list of hoop coops -
Post in thread 'Hoop Coop Retrofit' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hoop-coop-retrofit.1593936/post-27108467
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Another hoop coop, by Reformed Acres, can be seen on YouTube & they sell a detailed plan for $oneZero, on Etsy.
Another design i like the looks of, but havent built yet is the Suscovich tractor. I did purchase the plans - years ago.
John Suscovich tractor
If I build his (planning on growouts next year - will actually need several tractors), I really like the modifications here -
The Handy Homesteader - mods to Suscovitch & other tractors -
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If you have not already done so, your light weight aluminum frame run, over your coop, needs to be beefed up before winter. Probably before more thought about a tractor. I've seen those collapse under snow. That could cause lots of damage to your prefab coop, possibly "smooshing" chickens.
Even if the frame holds, the tarp, w/ no support under it, will be hard to get snow out of it & liable to tear & dump snow straight down. That could bury your coop.
I also recommend you use brick or cinder block to raise your coop off the ground. Will make it easier for you to access (but you appear to be 40-45 yrs younger than me, so relative...). It can give years of usability to the coop as it keeps the lightweight frame/base from being buried in the dirt, litter, snow or mud.
Even a CP hoop coop can collapse. Most folks quit using tractors during the winter & remove/store tarps. Some even able to store actual tractors under shelter. Again, this lengthen the time frame of usability. When im using mine, I use them year round. Those "little" A-frames shed snow & ice very well in my area. But would not, if snowfall registers in feet rather than a few inches.
Edit to add - either i did something to change BYC settings, or ??? I can't use all the " neat things" BYC offers. Since links are just done not able to use BYCs "link builder", hold on the link & then click open in Chrome. If you don't use Chrome, either open another tab or click copy to open one yourself. Someday, I will figure out how to bring all BYCs "goodies" back. I miss BYCs specific emoji's...
<><><><><><><><><><>
Ok. 1st attaching a link to all the things we've done. When you get to Front Yard coop #s 1 & 2, those are being refurbished now. They will be made 2' wider by adding a 2' base. They will be made 4' deeper (from one cattle panel to 2). All wood - pallets from front/back & bases) - are being removed. There will be only one wood object at this time - the roosts. The front will be a 10' wide dog kennel panels w/ gates set up on a layer of cinderblock. The front will have a wire apron. Have several ideas for the back - havent decided yet...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fgKYkhxNAXBnH6B36
In all actuality, all chicken areas on our property need to be updated , repaired &/or refurbished...
**********
So, in the link above, is how we built our 1st hoop coop. We didn't do wheels (im currently using a length of PVC to move our A-frame tractors. REALLY reduces wear & tear on the bases) or corner braces (bad idea not to install these, really are needed). There are several CP hoop coops in the tractor & coop areas of BYC. 2 are very heavy duty w/ GREAT details. I can attach more links in another thread. Honestly, I prefer a tractor I can stand in for larger grow outs & mature chickens. The babies, i can do in the doggie X-pens, but want to do some work on them to
Aart's Hoop Coop (SW MI)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/
Permanent Hoop Coop - (Chookaholic, NC)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/
Ms Biddy's CP Hoop Coop - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ms-biddys-cattle-panel-hoop-coop.73755/
**********
A list of hoop coops -
Post in thread 'Hoop Coop Retrofit' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hoop-coop-retrofit.1593936/post-27108467
**********
Another hoop coop, by Reformed Acres, can be seen on YouTube & they sell a detailed plan for $oneZero, on Etsy.
Another design i like the looks of, but havent built yet is the Suscovich tractor. I did purchase the plans - years ago.
John Suscovich tractor
If I build his (planning on growouts next year - will actually need several tractors), I really like the modifications here -
The Handy Homesteader - mods to Suscovitch & other tractors -
<><><><><><><><><><>
If you have not already done so, your light weight aluminum frame run, over your coop, needs to be beefed up before winter. Probably before more thought about a tractor. I've seen those collapse under snow. That could cause lots of damage to your prefab coop, possibly "smooshing" chickens.
Even if the frame holds, the tarp, w/ no support under it, will be hard to get snow out of it & liable to tear & dump snow straight down. That could bury your coop.
I also recommend you use brick or cinder block to raise your coop off the ground. Will make it easier for you to access (but you appear to be 40-45 yrs younger than me, so relative...). It can give years of usability to the coop as it keeps the lightweight frame/base from being buried in the dirt, litter, snow or mud.
Even a CP hoop coop can collapse. Most folks quit using tractors during the winter & remove/store tarps. Some even able to store actual tractors under shelter. Again, this lengthen the time frame of usability. When im using mine, I use them year round. Those "little" A-frames shed snow & ice very well in my area. But would not, if snowfall registers in feet rather than a few inches.
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