DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[Leahs Mom]

I just saw these and I kind-of like them for a temporary/meat bird type shelter. Haven't made them but wanted to show them for an idea starter. What I like about them is that they are lighter weight than the cattle pannel hoops AND...If I ever used the cattle panel I'd end up covering the whole thing with hardware cloth for predator protection. Might as well just cut-to-the-chase and put the hardware cloth on them in the first place and save the money of the cattle panels. (Looks like this is chicken wire but I'd use something more predator-proof.

I'm guessing that if I really study them I'd find some reason that it isn't optimal

for predator or something... Anyway...for your viewing pleasure...there are videos at the site too showing him moving them.


http://foodcyclist.com/stress-free-chicken-tractor-plans

 

[Leahs Mom]

Shoulda seen me trying to show the layers how to drink outta the cups, Bahahahaha
Hands n knees, tap-tap-tap...they'd drink but were scared of the cups so wouldn't tap the knob to fill cups. Doh.
After 20 minutes or so they got it lol

When I taught them, I just pressed down the trigger until they filled with water and let them drink from them. Did that a few times over a few days. That way they could drink the water that was in the cup and as they got empty and were beaking around in there, they'd learn that more would come in.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

Here is my ShetchUp design for my coop and run. Once I started building it I changed some of the things. I used what I had laying around and only had to buy the wire. It started out for 8 nesting boxes but I ended up with 6 nesting boxes.

Did you miter cut the boards at the apex of the roof? I used metal pieces from Lowes bec I didn't know how to miter cut, but I am not completely satisfied with the roof and DEFINATELY will lea

rn go miter cut for the next project. Matter of fact, if the plywood won't go on properly (the next step) on the roof, I may take the whole roof frame apart and try a miter cut. What did you do? It looks great.

 

[SavannahsBrood]

It only took 4- 4x8 panels for the walls but when cutting the front and back remember to flip the panel over to mark your triangle if not you'll have to build two triangles in pieces like I did. It's so the outside of the panel will be facing the right way. One panel will do half of the front and the back, then turn the next one and it will do the other side of the front and the back. The wire going over the top is looped to the other top piece then laid over. Makes it easier to put the wire on the top. the door can be opened or closed from outside the coop.

 

[SavannahsBrood]

On my I just used two triangles made from 2x3s and got the miter cut at the top as close as I could then used a piece of plywood to hold them at the angle I wanted. there isn't a piece going from front to back. I just used the piece of metal to cover the gap. I will try to ShetchUp a better design for it, showing only the framing. A good way to decide what angle to miter cut your roof framing is to lay the 2x4s on the ground and over lay the top end, and a board at the bottom to show the width you need. then mark where the boards meet. I will try to take some pictures of the steps in about an hour and will post them. I wish I had took more pics while building the coop. From the picture of yours you might do a miter of 25 or 30 degrees and that might give you the angle you want on the roof. I'm what you would call a jack of all trades and a master of none.

 

[perchie.girl]

On my I just used two triangles made from 2x3s and got the miter cut at the top as close as I could then used a piece of plywood to hold them at the angle I wanted. there isn't a piece going from front to back. I just used the piece of metal to cover the gap. I will try to ShetchUp a better design for it, showing only the framing. A good way to decide what angle to miter cut your roof framing is to lay the 2x4s on the ground and over lay the top end, and a board at the bottom to show the width you need. then mark where the boards meet. I will try to take some pictures of the steps in about an hour and will post them. I wish I had took more pics while building the coop. From the picture of yours you might do a miter of 25 or 30 degrees and that might give you the angle you want on the roof. I'm what you would call a jack of all trades and a master of none.

Plywood is an excellent choice for joining up difficult angles. I have a goat structure I need to make and because they are going to be spending as much time on TOP as under neath I will be using Plywood on the corners to help join those angles.

deb

 

[SavannahsBrood]

Here's a few more pics of the coop.






Now an easy way to decide what angle to cut your roof 2x4s.

I know this is just scrap wood but it works the same. The bottom board is as wide as the front of your building. Decide how much overhang you want then bring the tops down till you get the pitch you want. Always making sure they cross at the center of the bottom board.


Don't worry you only have to do this once then you'll know the angle of the miter for the rest of the boards. Mark both boards top and bottom the draw a line on each board connecting the two marks. Set your miter so it cuts along the line. That will be your angle. Write it down and use it for the ret of the boards.

Here is a 10x12 building I build by myself and I used that to decide on the angle for the roof. ( I wanted storage up top so that's why it's pitched tall)

 

[Angelicisi]

Great job!

Here is my ShetchUp design for my coop and run. Once I started building it I changed some of the things. I used what I had laying around and only had to buy the wire. It started out for 8 nesting boxes but I ended up with 6 nesting boxes.

 

[SavannahsBrood]

Thanks. Here's the one I'm thinking of building later next year sometime.

It's an 8x8 coop for 12 hens. Working on the material and price list now since I used most of my scrap for the first one.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote: It depends on how many chickens you want.... If you go on craigslist you can get a Little Tykes play house.... All plastic and can make a decent coop out of it for about three hens...

deb