Consolidated Kansas

[HEChicken]

HEChicken, If you have stiffer panels you're really going to have problems if you build the frame first for the hoop coop & then try to bend the panels to fit in there. I can tell you from making mine & I have the livestock panels as you know. I found out about it before I built it by reading about others who built one first. It's much easier to hook the panels onto the side boards with fencing nails first & then have your end boards laying in place & push the side panel towards the end one until you can get it close enough to screw them together. Do one side & then the other & it would be much, much easier if you have someone to help you hold the side in place while you put the screws in. I had to do it by myself the last time & it's not fun trying to hold & put screws in at the same time.

When we went out to look at the panels yesterday, as an experiment we bent them over, pretending we were bending them into an existing frame. We were able to bend them fairly easily to a 10' base. With ratchets and really hauling on it, we probably could have got it down to 9' or even 8' but I already had some 10' lengths of 2x6 so in the end we decided to just do them 10' wide, and then we'll use 3 panels to make them 12' long. As short as I am, I will still be able to stand upright in there.

We are building two, so I told DH I still want to try it both ways, and then we'll see which way is the easiest overall. I can see advantages to both, as by building the frame first, we can then work one panel at a time, and we won't be trying to hold the whole hoop in place while screwing on the end pieces, as you described.

Thanks for the tips on the granite overlay. I've never liked the countertops in my new house - they are WHITE. Which means it takes nothing to leave stains on them. With bleach I've been able to keep them looking relatively nice but I really don't like having to always worry about anything I set down leaving a stain, if there was something dripping down its side when I set it there.

Sorry about your mother-in-law continuing to go downhill.

I bought fencing staples but I also bought plumbers tape. I think I will try securing the panels with plumbers tape instead of staples cause it will be less likely to tear out. I guarantee the wind won't be picking this sucker up and taking off with it!!

I don't know if it will be warm enough to work on the hoop coop today or not. A lot depends on how hard that stupid wind is blowing. I was honestly thinking I would build the frame first then add the hoops. I have a couple of ideas I want to experiment with before I decide. The area I was thinking of building my coop is really uneven. I don't know if I can make it work or not. I might have to spend a day just either digging in or trying to build it up so I have a place to set it. That would out me behind on my project. It's always something.

I'll have to go and google plumber's tape - I'm having trouble picturing a tape that would work better than fencing staples. I picked up a box of those yesterday so I guess I'll stick with them for this build. The wind today is not supposed to be as bad as it was yesterday - hope that's the case. Sorry your dad isn't doing so well.

Hechicken can you post pictures of how you'll do your pens

I was getting ready to ask you to document it too! Thanks!

Will do!!!

 

[chicken danz]

Those eggs look the same to me in the picture Hawkeye. It could be a matter of different monitors and how they are showing it. I don't typically crack eggs to test fertility. I just do test hatches. I was just watching that video from the chicken doctor I posted the other day and they showed pictures of fertile vs unfertile eggs so I was going mostly from that.
Yes Maidenwolf I would say she is all d'uccle. They are much slower growing than the d'ulandsk mix. But there is really no other possibility on that one. But she doesn't look like she has very puffy cheeks? Could just be the picture. I have one male and I think 3 females left here in the d'ulandsk combination. I am planning to give the girls to Medawinks and have no plans for the boy yet.

 

[chicken danz]

Here is a picture of plumber's tape. It's used to hold pipes in place.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Those eggs look the same to me in the picture Hawkeye. It could be a matter of different monitors and how they are showing it. I don't typically crack eggs to test fertility. I just do test hatches. I was just watching that video from the chicken doctor I posted the other day and they showed pictures of fertile vs unfertile eggs so I was going mostly from that.
Yes Maidenwolf I would say she is all d'uccle. They are much slower growing than the d'ulandsk mix. But there is really no other possibility on that one. But she doesn't look like she has very puffy cheeks? Could just be the picture. I have one male and I think 3 females left here in the d'ulandsk combination. I am planning to give the girls to Medawinks and have no plans for the boy yet.

Her cheeks are not as puffy as the others. I am sure medawinks will love them. I was thinking all duccle on her. Good she is a beauty and I love to see spots already on her.
Do you raise silkies? I need to find a couple of pullets for my daughter.
Also,, DE is good for sprinkling on bedding in the coop to control moisture and odor along with other things correct???

 

[chicken danz]

No I sold all my silkies last fall. Just one more breed I eliminated.

 

[HEChicken]

Here is a picture of plumber's tape. It's used to hold pipes in place.

Oh gotcha - I have a roll of that but just call it metal strapping. Its what I used to affix the PVC pipe feeder to my coop wall last weekend.

 

[chicken danz]

They do make metal strapping which is similar. The difference is all one size holes or no holes and a slightly different material. All the same really.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Ok thank you Danz. We had gotten a silkie in the bantam mix we ordered and it didnt make it and my daughter fell in love with it and nursed it as long as it could go and I wanted to get her a couple

 

[Hawkeye95]

Ok thank you Danz. We had gotten a silkie in the bantam mix we ordered and it didnt make it and my daughter fell in love with it and nursed it as long as it could go and I wanted to get her a couple

I have a couple of pet quality boys that I'd give you for free! But of course, they are boys. They are really laid back and like to be pet.

 

[chicken danz]

Aarg! I'm lacking energy! I got the hardware cloth on the greenhouse. Back up plan # 1 completed. I've been trying to pull lumber of the trailer. Wouldn't you know all the plywood was on top of the cattle panels!!! Now I've got to decide where to start building.
Better get back out there.