Brainstorming help needed!

[Rt66Kix]

I had originally planned to repurpose 2 small plastic playhouses for my coop. However, they would not be big enough for my needs; I'd like to have at least 8 hens. So scratch that idea!

I plan to buy a Premier 1 electric mesh fence, and use it for a paddock system. My coop will be built on a 4' x 8' metal trailer, which I plan to move around our property with our garden tractor. The coop/trailer will be enclosed in the electric fence 24/7, but I still plan to confine the hens at night. So the coop doesn't have to be as predator-proof as some coops.

The trailer/coop needs to be sturdy, yet lightweight enough for our garden tractor to haul it. Our property is a bit hilly, and I would chock the trailer once it's parked.

Here's my latest plan. PLEASE feel free to comment!

1. Use 3/4" expanded steel mesh for the floor of the trailer. Right now it's nekkid since the plywood rotted, and I removed it. That would allow all the mess to fall through to the ground below. Or do I need to have more solid footing, and bedding?

2. Put 2x4's in the stake holders of the trailer for uprights. Get horse panels (2"x4" openings; they are 6'x12' height/length) and fasten them to the 2x4's. The 6' height will allow me to get inside. Two panels will make a rectangle that will fit the frame of the trailer. Need to figure out how to fabricate a door.

3. Make a roof out of corrugated fiberglass roof panels. I could pitch it slightly so rain/snow could run off. I would also attach panels to the sides for wind/sun protection, adding more as the weather gets colder.

4. Since we have hawks in the neighborhood, I plan to buy at least one pop-up canopy to place in the paddock for cover. The hens will also be able to go under the trailer. We have a lot of large trees, so I'm trying to break up the landing/take-off space for aerial attacks.

My husband is an A&P and IA, so he's quite handy. I don't want this to turn into a huge project for him, so I'm trying to keep it simple.

Thank y'all so much!

 

[Embden Geese]

I am currently using an old plastic playhouse my kids used to use they make great nest boxes

 

[rosemarythyme]

Use 3/4" expanded steel mesh for the floor of the trailer. Right now it's nekkid since the plywood rotted, and I removed it. That would allow all the mess to fall through to the ground below. Or do I need to have more solid footing, and bedding?

I would go for a solid floor. Main concerns would be 3/4" is probably big enough for things like mice to get through, yet not quite large enough to let poop cleanly fall through. Most likely some poop would start getting stuck and then build up, and that's just not fun to clean. Other issue is wire flooring tends to be hard on animals and can cause things like bumblefoot.

 

[aart]

A trailer can make a fine mobile coop base, mostly because of adequate wheel/axles.
Yes, you'd have to chock the wheels on hills, but also somehow support the tongue end. Make sure coop is weighted so most of weight is on tongue end.

Agrees with rosemarythyme about the expanded metal floor,
most poop won't go thru easily, mice access, and could cause feet injury which can allow the possible subsequent staph infection that is 'bumblefoot'.
Even the flattened expanded metal can be rough,
and those diamond shaped holes would be 'good' toe grabbers.
A square mesh would be better as far as toes getting caught/cut if you really want a mesh floor.

'Stakes' could well provide part of the framing to mount everything else to, like roof rafters, door frame, nests, etc. Check your pocket size carefully, some are not 2x4, you'd want a good tight fit.

Horse panels will also need to be covered with 1/2" hardware cloth for predator protection. You'd probably want to put solid wall, or somehow provide protection, on roost side against blowing rain.

Got pics of trailer?

 

[blackdog043]

I would prefer a solid floor, not wire at all and definitely not expanded metal, for the reasons aart was saying. Any metal flooring will end up getting poop stuck in the wire and it will end up being a solid poop floor unless you power wash it a few times a year. Even then you might not get it all off.

 

[Rt66Kix]

Horse panels will also need to be covered with 1/2" hardware cloth for predator protection. You'd probably want to put solid wall, or somehow provide protection, on roost side against blowing rain.

The trailer/ coop will always be inside the electric mesh fence, so I didn't think hardware cloth would be necessary. For this summer there would be 2 corrugated polycarbonate panels, one on a long as well as short side. When the weather gets cooler I will enclose the other two sides. The roof will have a center pitch, and I'll use a combo of clear and colored panels.

Good to know about the mesh floor. I will definitely use plywood covered with vinyl.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[aart]

The trailer/ coop will always be inside the electric mesh fence, so I didn't think hardware cloth would be necessary.

It might not be necessary, as long as your fence stays good and hot.
Don't think I'd personally take that risk tho.