Hoop Coops*UPDATE!*It's finished! New Pics pg. 3

[chickenannie]

Hmmm. If you used PVC, how would you attach the cattle panel to it?

 

[Moonwalker]

I was thinking to first try using heavy duty zip ties or wire looped around. This would allow the most flexibility. If that isn't sturdy enough, I will drill holes and run the ties/wire through. I may make a smaller version using regular fence mesh as a test and use it for the duck house.

 

[tenthingsfarm]

I am really liking this design, and I can see some ways I can do something similar here.

Thanks so much for posting your photos along with your experiences!

 

[chickflick]

Who was that person that had that cool PVC hoop coop....he lived in Texas....anyone remember??

 

[Moonwalker]

I like the wire and 2x4's because it gives it enough weight that I don't have to worry about it blowing over except in a major storm.

 

[tuskajones]

Hi Moonwalker--I am getting some broiler chicks in 2 weeks and found a simple design for a hoopcoop similar to what you have built. Yours looks great btw! I went to the TS today to get the cattle panels needed. I changed my mind because I was worried about the weight of the coop with three cattle panels and the wire needed to cover the whole thing.

How hard is it for you to pull it along?

I still want to stick with the hoop design but am going to sketch out a design with pvc and wire. I put together some portable fence panels from 1/2" pvc electrical conduit to keep out ducks and dogs from my garden The panels were super easy to make and inexpensive.

Kelly

 

[Moonwalker]

If you use 2" or even 4" PVC for the bottom frame, it will slide along easily. If you put a 3 way connector at one corner, then you can fill it with water for more stability from tipping over. I would still use wood for the cross braces for rigidity. If you use PVC, then in a high wind, it might flex a lot more than you want it to!
I am only using 2 panels for my coop, and I made the side pieces on the bottom about a foot longer on the back end and trimmed them like sled runners. I have mine on uneven ground with long grass and it's not too hard to pull. I move it up about 10 feet each time. Once the chicks get old enough to not need the heat at night, I will probably move it farther out across the yard (where the extension cord won't reach)
I am planning to make another enclosure soon for my iguanas outdoor, warm weather house. I will use a single cattle panel and make it on a 3 or 4 ft base, so it will have a smaller footprint, but be a lot taller.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

Moonwalker

I'd love to see the finished hoop coop, but in place of photos is a box that says the photos have been moved or removed, so I can't see them.

Could you re-post them?

You can see our new hoop house here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=43233

Thanks,
Jean

 

[ebonykawai]

I don't see any pics.

 

[Moonwalker]

http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee296/suzi_wright/Hoop Coop/
This should do it. I re arranged my PhotoBucket stuff