Could use some advice on building an A-frame coop

[MO_Dad]

We are using some free plans we found on Anna something or other. Or I should say roughly following them. He is using 1"x2"x8' furring strips instead of 2"x4"s so that has messed up some of the measurements, the peak angles came out wrong and I'm not sure how to fix that, there is about a 1/2" gap at the bottom where the two angles touch. And he was given some welded wire fencing that has 2"x2" square holes to use on it. He did buy exterior coarse thread 1 5/8" screws and we are using wood glue too for extra strength. We have the side frames mostly done so far tonight and Sunday morning we will be back at it.

 

[cavemanrich]

Just because you have a gap, Its not that important to be perfect. Your A-frame is not going on a shuttle to Mars.
Post some pix of what you have so far. Then we may have suggestions as to what your concerns or questions are.
WISHING YOU BEST..... and

 

[jthornton]

What part of Missouri are you in?

Photos will help.

JT

 

[TattooedChicks]

So long as it’s weather resistant and predator-proof, most chickens won’t turn their beaks up at the sight of a few rough angles and such. I was able to hide/reinforce many of my less than perfect areas when the exterior layers went up. Would love to see pics of what y’all’ve created!

 

[MO_Dad]

Can we use this extruded plastic alternitive poultry fence? The guy at Home Depot sold it to my son https://m.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-Ac...een-HDPE-Extruded-Mesh-Rolled-Fencing/3457516

 

[lazy gardener]

Any critter will chew through that. Your safest bet will be 1/2" welded wire hardware cloth. As for you gap between frame and ground, you'll need a skirt in order to make your A frame predator proof.

 

[MO_Dad]

Any critter will chew through that. Your safest bet will be 1/2" welded wire hardware cloth. As for you gap between frame and ground, you'll need a skirt in order to make your A frame predator proof.

He doesn't have the money left to buy that, it is quite expensive. He has already put about $100 dollars out for lumber, hardware, paint & supplies. That is another $75, he was given some 2"x2" welded wire roll fencing that we are going to have to use, at least for now. I will have to return the other plastic fence I guess.

 

[CapricornFarm]

He doesn't have the money left to buy that, it is quite expensive. He has already put about $100 dollars out for lumber, hardware, paint & supplies. That is another $75, he was given some 2"x2" welded wire roll fencing that we are going to have to use, at least for now. I will have to return the other plastic fence I guess.

Good plan, that stuff will not keep predators out and will degrade fairly fast.

 

[KathryninQuebec]

I don't know what kind of predators you have where you are. Here we have raccoons that can put their paws through a 1" hole and pull a leg or a head off a chicken. We also have a type of ferret that can squeeze their bodies through a half inch to inch gap. We use hardware cloth on all our chicken tractors and coops now. Looks don't matter as much as security. We learned the hard way last year. Lost an entire flock of new hatchlings who were only 10 weeks old. It was devastating.

 

[MO_Dad]

I don't know what kind of predators you have where you are. Here we have raccoons that can put their paws through a 1" hole and pull a leg or a head off a chicken. We also have a type of ferret that can squeeze their bodies through a half inch to inch gap. We use hardware cloth on all our chicken tractors and coops now. Looks don't matter as much as security. We learned the hard way last year. Lost an entire flock of new hatchlings who were only 10 weeks old. It was devastating.

I hear what you are saying, but as of right now the chicken has zero protection. So even a wet paper bag would be more than she has now. We have it all as far as predators go out here in Missouri, we live out in the country, the Ozarks Hills. We have fox, coyotes, raccoons, possum, skunks, bobcats, black bears, hawks, eagles & snakes just to name a few off the top of my head. For now we are forced to use the wire fence & as soon as we can afford it we will buy the 1/2" hardware cloth.