Hoop Coop DISASTER!

[rebelboy]

there is an alternative material, plastic electrical pipe it is gray colored and it works very well

 

[suzeeg]

Well, the first thing you did wrong was cutting your 20' joints in two. Leave them intact. Drive a piece of rebar or the next smallest size of pipe in the ground 10' apart and slide each end of your uncut joint of 20' pipe over these stakes. Now measure about 4/feet from each stake and drive some more stakes on and on till you have the length of pen you want. Look for me in BYC and you will see my PVC coop page. Going on five years and they are still up!


Im at a loss of what to do right now. I got so frustrated I broke the T's on both ends trying to pull the legs out and now have to go buy new T's and a new cross beam PVC. Should I cut the legs down another foot, and keep going till I find a flex length that works? I didn't want the pen to be 3ft tall, I wanted to at least be able to walk in it without hunching over much (I'm 5'4" so at least a 5' tall pen).


If I can just get this darn frame bult without having to invest a ton more money I have everything to finish building the pen. Advice would be much appreciated!
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[SHERRING7712]

So we just started our hoop coop last night and right at first we were having problems with getting the tees to hold too (on the top) and once we widened the design it started working great. Will be picking up lumber for a wood base frame to attach to today. I've been taking pics so I will post when all is complete.

Also wanted to say thanks to suzeeg and Miss Bee. I kinda made my design from aspects of both of theirs. I think finished size is going to be approximately 12'W x 27'L x7'H. I'm so excited to get it built. Even my husband is loving building it, it works out so easy and is quite a bit cheaper than lumber!

Best of luck to you on your coop!

 

[yogifink]

Personally, I would not use a t-joint at all. It will fail at some point. I have made a few hoop coops with PVC and attach the ridge to the hoops with some screws. Lay it all out on the ground, get everything square and even, screw together, then with some help stick and bend into place in the frame. If you want to be fancy, maybe some small bolts instead of screws. No joints, no glue, no pressure points, nothing to fail.