I should preface this by saying I am not a carpenter and you guys or gals that know that kind of stuff, be kind. I have to wing it all the way along. But this was a pretty easy project done in one day and all you need is a saw, miter box, drill, screws, staple gun. I spent a total $36.00 for this little unit and it will easily hold two standards or 4 bantams.
I keep needing more seperate places for different situations; Brooding hens, Juveniles, Sicklings or whatever. I decided to try a little tractor.
Step one was to cut 4 pieces of 2x2, 34 inches with 45 degree cuts one each end. I did not know what the width would be when I got it cut but it worked out to be wide enough to fit a piece of 48" width Siding or Plywood. I was able to get pieces at a local salvage place. They make shed there to sell with the lumber they get in. I got 4 pieces that were 36"x 48" at a cost of $2.00 ea. I braced two pieces that I cut to make an A frame. I then attached an 8' piece of 2x2 between the two A frames so that it followed the same angle. I needed to use L brackets to attach them as it was hard to brace it so it could be screwed together.
Second step was to build a simple box with two 8' pieces of 2x4 and two pieces of 4' 2x4 with the 2" sides on the bottom. I then attached a piece of Siding (you can use Plywood) to one end of the frame.
Third, I then attached the A Frame unit to the box made above.
Next I had to measure two more pieces of 2x2 to make the front frame for the little shelter. You need to make 45degree Angle cut again and attach these pieces to the 2x2 running along the top as show in the photo. These pieces are shorter because they fit on the sides of the top 2x2. ( hard to explaine) Trust me!
Now I cut the siding one piece was 4 inches longer than the other in order to make the over hang. I insulated each piece with foil backed foam used for flooring underlayment. I doubled it so the foil was facing both directions. I then placed a piece of sideing against the frame and scored it with a pencil and cut the triangles for the ends. I insulated the one that makes the shelter. I attached it with hinges so I can gain access to the inside.
I then attached plastic or PVE chicken wire available at Home Depot to one side with staples. I made the second end piece for the shelter with the other piece of the plywood that was cut for the first end piece. I just lopped off one of the points to make and opening. I then attached the wire to the bottom side of the 2x4 with staples and attached a piece of 1x3 across the top of the wire in order to have some to easily remove the one side for cleaning out purposes if necessary. I just screwed it in the top 2x2 with 3 screws that can easily be removed. I stapled the sides and those staples would have to be removed to open the wire section as well.
All I need to do is make attach a latch on the back and paint it. Keep in mind this unit as it is build is not predator proof. I am using it inside my fenced chicken yard. Predators other than dogs have not been a problem here so far in three years and this unit is for temporary situations.
If you were building with predators in mind, you would need to attach wire on the ground and then possible cover it with some sort of sand and use hardware cloth as well as the wire. I need the chicken wire because I will have some mamas in there with their babies and I don't want them to be able to escape. It is only a tractor afterall and portability is the point of these units.
I may need to make some vent holes in the back panel of the shelter for better ventalation, I will have to see how it goes. The rains here come in torrents when they come and I am always hesitant to add to many ways for something to get went.
Jaynie, Bryant Alabama knightschicks.com
I keep needing more seperate places for different situations; Brooding hens, Juveniles, Sicklings or whatever. I decided to try a little tractor.
Step one was to cut 4 pieces of 2x2, 34 inches with 45 degree cuts one each end. I did not know what the width would be when I got it cut but it worked out to be wide enough to fit a piece of 48" width Siding or Plywood. I was able to get pieces at a local salvage place. They make shed there to sell with the lumber they get in. I got 4 pieces that were 36"x 48" at a cost of $2.00 ea. I braced two pieces that I cut to make an A frame. I then attached an 8' piece of 2x2 between the two A frames so that it followed the same angle. I needed to use L brackets to attach them as it was hard to brace it so it could be screwed together.
Second step was to build a simple box with two 8' pieces of 2x4 and two pieces of 4' 2x4 with the 2" sides on the bottom. I then attached a piece of Siding (you can use Plywood) to one end of the frame.
Third, I then attached the A Frame unit to the box made above.
Next I had to measure two more pieces of 2x2 to make the front frame for the little shelter. You need to make 45degree Angle cut again and attach these pieces to the 2x2 running along the top as show in the photo. These pieces are shorter because they fit on the sides of the top 2x2. ( hard to explaine) Trust me!
Now I cut the siding one piece was 4 inches longer than the other in order to make the over hang. I insulated each piece with foil backed foam used for flooring underlayment. I doubled it so the foil was facing both directions. I then placed a piece of sideing against the frame and scored it with a pencil and cut the triangles for the ends. I insulated the one that makes the shelter. I attached it with hinges so I can gain access to the inside.
I then attached plastic or PVE chicken wire available at Home Depot to one side with staples. I made the second end piece for the shelter with the other piece of the plywood that was cut for the first end piece. I just lopped off one of the points to make and opening. I then attached the wire to the bottom side of the 2x4 with staples and attached a piece of 1x3 across the top of the wire in order to have some to easily remove the one side for cleaning out purposes if necessary. I just screwed it in the top 2x2 with 3 screws that can easily be removed. I stapled the sides and those staples would have to be removed to open the wire section as well.
All I need to do is make attach a latch on the back and paint it. Keep in mind this unit as it is build is not predator proof. I am using it inside my fenced chicken yard. Predators other than dogs have not been a problem here so far in three years and this unit is for temporary situations.
If you were building with predators in mind, you would need to attach wire on the ground and then possible cover it with some sort of sand and use hardware cloth as well as the wire. I need the chicken wire because I will have some mamas in there with their babies and I don't want them to be able to escape. It is only a tractor afterall and portability is the point of these units.
I may need to make some vent holes in the back panel of the shelter for better ventalation, I will have to see how it goes. The rains here come in torrents when they come and I am always hesitant to add to many ways for something to get went.
Jaynie, Bryant Alabama knightschicks.com
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