Circo Direct Snap Fittings

[tommyz44]

Good morning Yall!! I moved my chicks from the brooder to the coop. I used a small dog run and added a top to it. But it seemed too small... So my father and I designed a run using snap fittings from https://www.circoinnovations.com/circo-direct We made 5x5 frames using 1" PVC picked up elbows, Tees, slip fittings, door hinges, water hangers, ect. All Made for 1" PVC. Used 1" hole chicken wire for the fencing, that took the longest time wire tie the whole things. but once each panel is made you just snap them into place with the snap fittings! which to expand we just make 2 more sides 1 top and 1 bottom to expand it out. Really happy with how it turned out. Still need to add the bottom, but for now we tested to see how it worked.

Water hanger is holding 3gal water with a little flex on the top cross member but not too bad. Added 2 roosting bars, a large external door and 1 small internal door to match the coop so i can close them into the run and clean the coop as needed.

Just wanted to share this. Not super easy to build, not super cheap, but it is easily expandable light enough to move, but heavy enough to hold with wind. Any thing you see i could improve on?

 

[sealer39]

I build PVC runs also. I use 3,4 and 5 ways for my joints. Cool trick with the snap fittings and I like how you used the slip fittings for some of the middle joints. Questions/suggestions:
On the joints where the chicken wire terminates, do you think the snap fittings are strong enough to keep a dog from pushing through or unsnapping them? Dogs can be pretty strong.
Since you only have one latch in the middle of your door there is probably enough flex in the door to allow a raccoon could push his way through the bottom. I recommend some type of latch on the bottom and top to prevent that. This is my latch

I can’t see for certain in your pic how far apart you zip ties are but make sure there are enough of them to keep a raccoon or possum from squeezing through. About 8” apart should do.
The sun will eventually degrade the the (schedule 2 ?) pvc. If that happens in the future. You could try the 3/4” gray pvc electrical conduit. It is uv resistant. You can also buy uv resistant zip ties(the black ones) that may last a little longer. Zip ties are cheap, use a bunch.

Good looking run. You gave me some new ideas for my next one.

Edit: I just checked out the Circo website. So I assume you bought the furniture grade pvc that has the uv resistance also.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

It looks very nice but my concern is that it is not predator proof at all. Chicken wire will only keep chickens in. I've used it in my garden and groundhogs bust through it lightening fast. If you have absolutely no predators (including neighbors or your own dogs) then no worries. However, raccoons, Fishers, weasels, coyotes, even snakes, etc. will easily tear through the chicken wire and grab a free chicken dinner. I would consider using 1/2 inch 19 gauge HC at least 2 feet up all the sides and have at least an apron on the ground to protect against burrowing critters.

 

[aart]

Any thing you see i could improve on?

Fun.... like lego, lincoln logs, erector sets...
..but, yeah, not predator proof.

Curious what that cost you to build (if you care to share that)?
PVC and fittings can get expensive.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @tommyz44
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[tommyz44]

Thanks Yall! The bottom part is not in yet. We had a storm come in last night as i finished this up. Bottom will be done the same way. I do like the ideas i may do the bottom and also 2 ft up with some better wire. Luckily I have yet to have any predators other than my own dogs (2 shelties always on a leash), in almost a year. They also are only out during the day, cooped at night. I have cams to check for this. But better safe than sorry!!

@sealer39 I believe that is what was used. Ill double check and ill also give you all an estimate of what i used. Zip ties are about 2-3inches. i loaded it up. also wrapped some extras around to pull them tighter. i do not believe they were UV resistant so i will check into those. Also i just used 1" schedule40 pipes. If things degrade ill look into upgrading to something more UV resistant. I think on the hinged and snapped areas ill add colored zip ties as well to strengthen the clamps. They are a pain to clip since they are for 1" pipe, not 1" with wire. So it takes a good amount of strength to break them apart.

@Wee Farmer Sarah I luckily have some extra fencing material for my garden as well. Ill definitely add that to it. also still need to make my bottom panels as well, but ran out of time with a storm moving in.

@aart I swore i did that! updated now! and thank you! great community, and already very helpful since this is my first attempt at them! It was really nice and i wanted it to be a lot like legos and such. if i get more chickens, it will be easy to expand. Great advice here since ill update the bottom and some of the sides to be stronger. Also liked sealer39's advice on an extra clip on the doorway. As far as price ill be happy to share i know it was not super super cheap. probably could have built with wood for the price, but this is much lighter for moving and easy to add more. ill check back in the morning when i get my receipts. Piping i just got from home depot.

 

[aart]

I would consider using 1/2 inch 19 gauge HC at least 2 feet up all the sides

going 2' up will only barely slow down the coons and weasels.

@aart I swore i did that! updated now!

What are your plans for the snow?

 

[sealer39]

If you used schedule 40 you should get several years from those then.

 

[tommyz44]

@aart luckily i really dont have much to worry about here. but i may reinforce parts to be safe. For the snow i have a slip tee in the front middle and back where i will put a pipe up and across to create a A frame and use a higher strength clear plastic to still allow light in, but go down the sides as well. The coop itself i have cut cement board for all the sides ill have to look into how to keep it warm but properly vented. It has a vent in the rear but no idea how it will do. Also have a ceramic bulb for heat that i used for the brooder.

 

[tommyz44]

Update on that, fittings cost shy of 250. But i purchased alot of fittings since in bulk it was pretty cost effective like the Elbows. i know ill be using on some home projects. I still have a ton of snap fittings and tees left over as well. So ill estimate i actually only used maybe 125-150 plus the PVC piping, some screws to hard attach the hinges and corners, and Zipties. The shipping was the worst part of the cost since it shipped from CA and i am in upstate NY.