Coop building isn't working out, running out of time and not sure how to proceed

[Anon112]

Do you have a Buy Nothing Facebook group where you are? It might be worth asking if anyone has an old pre-fab coop/run, shed, etc that you can use, at least until you can make something more permanent. You might have to splurge $25 on a U-Haul to move it.

I feel for you. I've had many meltdowns over thinking I could do a project and then it just isn't what I envisioned. If it's any consolation, to more I take on these types of projects, the better they get. I built a run for my most recent flock of chickens, and even though it accidentally came out like a pirate ship (don't ask), it does its job. I also just last month assembled two "nurseries" for my broody hens, and they came out great.

Best of luck as you move forward!

 

[sophiehatter1057]

Do you have a Buy Nothing Facebook group where you are? It might be worth asking if anyone has an old pre-fab coop/run, shed, etc that you can use, at least until you can make something more permanent. You might have to splurge $25 on a U-Haul to move it.

I feel for you. I've had many meltdowns over thinking I could do a project and then it just isn't what I envisioned. If it's any consolation, to more I take on these types of projects, the better they get. I built a run for my most recent flock of chickens, and even though it accidentally came out like a pirate ship (don't ask), it does its job. I also just last month assembled two "nurseries" for my broody hens, and they came out great.

Best of luck as you move forward!

Thank you for the encouragement. I've definitely learned about what I won't do next time haha! A temporary solution is a good idea...it'll take the pressure off until I have the means/ability to do it properly.

 

[AntiqueB]

I don't think this is a loss. I agree that posts in the center will help stabilize it, and once the hardware cloth is either buried or made into an apron, it will hold better. I have something similar, and I used spiral tent stakes to hold the apron, as well.

I think the sides of the door frame should go straight up, so you have 3 vertical pieces rising from the top of the door frame. The door itself would benefit from either corner braces, or an "x" from corner to corner. The door and door frame are the only things that I would want to make from wood.

I attached a modified shed to the non-door end of the run. It was easy to screw the hardware cloth to the shed. I put the shed door so that I enter from the run, but you don't have to. A pop door can easily be made in the shed wall and the hardware cloth.

 

[Anon112]

Thank you for the encouragement. I've definitely learned about what I won't do next time haha! A temporary solution is a good idea...it'll take the pressure off until I have the means/ability to do it properly.

I think you'll be fine. Keep reading/watching videos. And keep building! I'm fully serious when I say that I bet if you started from scratch with the same materials, you'd get a better result from what you've learned. I think a lot of people who are "not handy" just haven't had enough practice!

 

[DLA]

I appreciate that so much. Here's a couple of picsView attachment 4132522View attachment 4132523
It's somewhere between 7 or 8 feet tall, 10 feet wide, 20 feet long. In hindsight, it was a mistake to make it so big (I just wanted to eventually be able to accommodate many birds!)

Garden fence stakes (see image) pounded in the ribs and at the door frame then wire or zip tie the pvc to the stakes may provide some additional stability to keep it from shifting and enable the door to close properly. I know exactly what you mean about projects getting away from you. Working with hardware cloth can be exceptionally challenging and I always buy extra bandages, peroxide, alcohol wipes and iodine before starting as getting cut up is guaranteed. You may also consider putting in two or three 2x4 or posts as roof supports to shore up the center line. It looks too big to be easily mobile but if you did want to move it at some point, unhooking it from supports then reattaching them after shouldn't be incredibly difficult. Good luck and I hope it goes well for you.

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[WilderSkye]

Do you have a Restore nearby? They sell all kinds of left over remodel and construction stuff, including paint, hardware, doors, etc, that profits got to Habit For Humanity. We stop by ours weekly to see what may have shown up, and hey, even 2x4s for a dollar are worth picking up. Also, where we live they are building a lot of homes and those big construction dumpsters are full of plywood and boards etc that are still good that they discard. It drives my husband nuts, but I am like, STOP they have a 3x4 piece of decking that might come in handy some day. Lol

I understand your predicament. We have spent a fortune on our run and henhouse and I am to the point of using mistinted paint from Lowes I bought for henhouse, as I do not want to spend another penny on this thing.

My husband laughs and tells me he sees all over New Mexico chickens in pallet homes with haphazard laid on tin roofs. What I was told is the run/coop esthetics are for us, the chickens don't care, as long as they have reasonable protection from elements and predators.