Hi folks,
I just wanted to share some pictures of our layer flock's hoop coop. It is two years old now and has held up well. I wanted to make an integrated coop/run that would give them ample room to move about, plenty of fresh air and a draft-free environment in the winter. I also wanted to it to be human-friendly and predator-proof.
I bent the hoops myself - they are made from the top rail tubing for chain link fence. The ground "anchors" are EMT driven into the ground. The hoops are bolted into these. This is the same basic setup that I used for my hoop greenhouse.
The entire run is covered by welded wire fence and I've buried it under the ground all around the base. I don't have a "chicken door" - I could add one but we just slide the door open for them during the day and it works pretty well. I use 6 mil greenhouse plastic and shade cloth on the top year-round and can roll up the sides like I do on my greenhouse to increase ventilation 3 seasons of the year. I use wiggle wire to secure the plastic on the ends during the winter.
Make it a great day,
Matt
I just wanted to share some pictures of our layer flock's hoop coop. It is two years old now and has held up well. I wanted to make an integrated coop/run that would give them ample room to move about, plenty of fresh air and a draft-free environment in the winter. I also wanted to it to be human-friendly and predator-proof.
I bent the hoops myself - they are made from the top rail tubing for chain link fence. The ground "anchors" are EMT driven into the ground. The hoops are bolted into these. This is the same basic setup that I used for my hoop greenhouse.
The entire run is covered by welded wire fence and I've buried it under the ground all around the base. I don't have a "chicken door" - I could add one but we just slide the door open for them during the day and it works pretty well. I use 6 mil greenhouse plastic and shade cloth on the top year-round and can roll up the sides like I do on my greenhouse to increase ventilation 3 seasons of the year. I use wiggle wire to secure the plastic on the ends during the winter.
Make it a great day,
Matt