[help] improving premade metal run coop thingy

[Vata Raven]

So, I came across this run/coop thingy, because I need a backup just in case my current build doesn't work.

It's new on the market, came out March 2023, and it looks promising. They have a 10ft x 13ft and 10ft x 20ft to pick from.

They give you 1/2in x 1/2in hardware cloth instead of chicken fence, so that's good.

I'm not sure of the weight, but my goal would be to make it mobile.

Any ideas how to attach wheels to it? How about a suggestion for a bottom?

Anything else?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Raptor Chicken]

So a few observations.

One, after viewing the video in your link that thing is more than likely going to fall apart if you try and use it as a tractor coop. Has to do with the size and construction.

Second, the HWC they advertise appears to just be some kind of plastic. Not the same thing at all as real steel HWC. That will absolutely not keep predators out. It may keep the chickens in but will not protect them from outsiders.

For the money that thing costs I would look at building your own set up. JMHO.

 

[Vata Raven]

For the money that thing costs I would look at building your own set up. JMHO.

I am building something, but I'm looking around for metal because wood gets too heavy.

There are other brands that advertise 1mm thick pipes. I was looking for listings hat listed pipe spec vs not at all.

I think there are similar listings that are cheaper, but the hardware cloth on there can in fact be metal welded with a PVC coating. Because I've seen plastic hardware cloth, and that's not is. 20 vs 19 gauge wire is not that much a difference in wire thickness.

 

[Raptor Chicken]

I am building something, but I'm looking around for metal because wood gets too heavy.

There are other brands that advertise 1mm thick pipes. I was looking for listings hat listed pipe spec vs not at all.

I think there are similar listings that are cheaper, but the hardware cloth on there can in fact be metal welded with a PVC coating. Because I've seen plastic hardware cloth, and that's not is. 20 vs 19 gauge wire is not that much a difference in wire thickness.

In regards to the HWC, I've had my fair share with dealing with that stuff and I can tell you what they show in the video in the link you provided is not steel HWC.

It doesn't roll out like that. Its kind of a pain to work with even though its the best thing to make a coop/run secure.

You're also not going to just be securing it with twist ties.

Not trying to be confrontational it just is what it is.

 

[Vata Raven]

Not trying to be confrontational it just is what it is.

Thank you anyway.

But I'm going to work with a metal frame regardless of how good or shitty the fence that comes with the package.

During my search, finding those click together metal pipes are not readily aviable. Nor are the fittings easy to find either. Not unless I'm not searching for the right thing?

 

[Mouthpear]

So, I came across this run/coop thingy, because I need a backup just in case my current build doesn't work.

It's new on the market, came out March 2023, and it looks promising. They have a 10ft x 13ft and 10ft x 20ft to pick from.

They give you 1/2in x 1/2in hardware cloth instead of chicken fence, so that's good.

I'm not sure of the weight, but my goal would be to make it mobile.

Any ideas how to attach wheels to it? How about a suggestion for a bottom?

Anything else?

Thank you for your help.

I would not use this one if you plan on moving it. Byt the time you spend the extra money to get it where it can be moved and not get all busted you will have spent a small fortune on wood or metal.

Before you get sticker shock on the prices, just know I am giving links to these because these are what I have purchased in the past. I have many of these purchased back when they were only $75 for the 12 x 6.

Shop around. Look to craigslist for still usable dog kennels. Try looking at temporary fence companies. They often have panels that they won't send out to customers.

My suggestion to you is using dog kennel panels. You can purchase a few and add more later. If you replace the linking brackets they come with, and use hinge brackets, you can run a length of rebar to hold them together. This makes it very easy to take apart and move. A screen for the top can be purchased from harbor freight. Or put another 12 footer over the top.

Dog Kennel Panel Plain 12 ft X 6 ft
Mfg.# GKPOOX12X6 Sku# 7004807
$148.99/EA

Dog Kennel Panel Plain 6 ft X 6 ft
Mfg.# GKPOOX06X6 Sku# 7004781
$101.99/EA

Dog Kennel Gate Panel 6 ft X 6 ft
Mfg.# GKGOOX06X6 Sku# 7004799
$176.99/EA

Good luck.

 

[Vata Raven]

I would not use this one if you plan on moving it. Byt the time you spend the extra money to get it where it can be moved and not get all busted you will have spent a small fortune on wood or metal.

Before you get sticker shock on the prices, just know I am giving links to these because these are what I have purchased in the past. I have many of these purchased back when they were only $75 for the 12 x 6.

Shop around. Look to craigslist for still usable dog kennels. Try looking at temporary fence companies. They often have panels that they won't send out to customers.

My suggestion to you is using dog kennel panels. You can purchase a few and add more later. If you replace the linking brackets they come with, and use hinge brackets, you can run a length of rebar to hold them together. This makes it very easy to take apart and move. A screen for the top can be purchased from harbor freight. Or put another 12 footer over the top.

Dog Kennel Panel Plain 12 ft X 6 ft
Mfg.# GKPOOX12X6 Sku# 7004807
$148.99/EA

Dog Kennel Panel Plain 6 ft X 6 ft
Mfg.# GKPOOX06X6 Sku# 7004781
$101.99/EA

Dog Kennel Gate Panel 6 ft X 6 ft
Mfg.# GKGOOX06X6 Sku# 7004799
$176.99/EA

Good luck.

12 feet long is a decent length, I'll have to think about it.

Thank you for the panel suggestions, I'll shop around and see what I can find.

What do you mean by a rebar? Do you have pictures you could show me, or do you mind taking a few when you have time? How do you have the top so water doesn't pool on top?

 

[fuzzi]

I am building something, but I'm looking around for metal because wood gets too heavy.

There are other brands that advertise 1mm thick pipes. I was looking for listings hat listed pipe spec vs not at all.

I think there are similar listings that are cheaper, but the hardware cloth on there can in fact be metal welded with a PVC coating. Because I've seen plastic hardware cloth, and that's not is. 20 vs 19 gauge wire is not that much a difference in wire thickness.

After doing research here I went with a hoop coop, made with cattle panels and 2x4s as a base. The 4 panels were $35 each, but they are solid.

I was also thinking of doing something moveable, but most of the moveable coop runs are either too heavy for me or too fragile to move. I'm doing deep litter once the chicks destroy the green growth/weeds.

 

[Vata Raven]

After doing research here I went with a hoop coop, made with cattle panels and 2x4s as a base. The 4 panels were $35 each, but they are solid.

The reason the cattle panel hoop coops are too heavy to move is because each panel weights over 30 pounds. The idea would work if you did smaller sized pens with them.

I thought of using them, but you can only make them 6 feet wide to get a 6 foot tall doorway. It wasn't worth it for me.

 

[fuzzi]

I used the 16'x50" cattle panels, and my hoop coop is 8' wide, and over 6' tall in the middle.

Let me find the graphic for that, it's somewhere on my build thread.