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NikonD2xer said:
I will try to explain what i did to build my hoop house for everyone interested. I am sorry for the long post to everyone else.

First thing I did was to figure out the width i wanted by arching one of the panels so i knew how much head room I had inside. I think most panels at 16 feet long. I got mine at Tractor Supply for 20 bucks each. They are 50 inches tall. The overall dimension of the hoop house is really a personal preference. I used 4 panels

Here is the link to the photos https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/a/7050199/hoop-house-coop/

The Base:

4 x 6 treated timber. Cut lap joints in the corners and joined them with construction adhesive and a large bolt. I wanted it to be strong enough to be able to be pulled or lifted by a tractor if the coop needed to be moved. There is also a 4 x 6 timber across the coop at the midway point. I used large lag bolts the are installed from the outside as well as a double joist hanger(slightly modified to fit 4 x 6).

The Hoops:

The panels are nailed to the inside of the base with "U" shaped fence staples. I put a 2x4 on the ground and set the panels on that to get a consistent height and to ease with nailing them. If the panel are not even on the bottom they won't be on top either. I cut the corner of the back panels to reach over the back 4 x6 so that back wall would flush with the base. I used hog rings to tie the panels to each other and foam sill plate insulation over the joints to prevent any punctures through the tarp. The foam is a pain. The chickens destroyed it where they could.

The Door(s):

I looked at the arch of the hoops and the height of the door and compromised. Mine is 30 inches wide and 62 inches tall. Because of the arch the door height is limited, so watch your head going in. I would have liked it to wide enough for a wheel barrow but it is not bad at all.
I framed for doors on both ends just for future flexibility. The door is covered with hardware cloth.

Ridge beam and center post:

I used 2 2 x 4's as a beam to make the panels more sturdy. I didn't want my to collapse like some i saw online. I installed a center post on the 4 x 6 cross brace. It is just 2 2 x 4 screwed together. there is a ridge bean from the front door header to the center post and a beam from the center post to the rear door header. The panels are now nailed with fence staples to the top of the ridge beam.

End Walls: The walls are just 2 x4's cut to the height of the panel and fastened on top with fence staple and screwed to the bottom base. The back wall is covered with plywood and the front is covered with hardware cloth.

The Tarp:

The tarp I got is a the heavy duty silver one i bought at Menards. I think is was a 20 x 20 for around 50 dollars. I wrapped the tarp around 2 x 4's and screwed them down to the base. Same with the back except it is just screwed to the back wall. Nothing fancy and I have never had a problem with it at all except the one small hole caused by the lawn mower.



OK guys and galls i think that is it. Feel free to ask me anything about my hoop house if there is something I didn't explain well enough or i didn't get the photos you wanted.
Click to expand...
What are the dimension of the perimeter of your hoop?
 
Minniechickmama said:
What are the dimension of the perimeter of your hoop?
Click to expand...


If you join the workshop, I have so generously agreed to host here. We could work that out....
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Minniechickmama said:
Noooo, the arch would be 16' from side to side. I am just wondering how wide he made it. I think I am going 10" wide and that will make the peak of the arch 5+'. Boy, having taught my son Advanced Algebra this last year is paying off! LOL
Click to expand...


I was thinking of making mine 8ft wide. That should give me over 6 in the center. And by doing that, I can use 4 panels and almost not violate the ridiculous zoning rules.


Coffee Thanks for being my first registrant to the 2015 Hoop Coop workshop. Please bring send your supplies and tuition in advance..... ( I am sorry we have a strict no refund policy, in case of bad weather, or hang overs)
 
Well, I am back from the 'big city' with my youth group from our mission trip this week. We fed people meals through a homeless shelter and did other service projects. Very eyeopening stuff for these kids (6-8th grade). Now I am preparing to head out for my 10 year high school reunion. I will be ready to be home tomorrow finally! I have been missing out on Chicken TV and my dogs are just begging me not to leave again.
 
Minniechickmama said:
What are the dimension of the perimeter of your hoop?
Click to expand...
My hoop coop is roughly 8 feet wide and about 15 feet 6 inches long.

The width is determined by how tall you want it to be. I just tied a rope to the ends of a panel, made and arch and tied the rope so i could get an idea if it would work for me. When the height is determined, i measured at the base of the arch and that was the inside dimension of my base. Length is what ever you want it to be.....just add more panels.
 
Someone on hear (BYC) has said over and over the way to break a broody hen is to soak her in cold water......

I have that PITA BA that keeps going broody on me. I am not going to waste more eggs under her, she never sits longer than 10-14 days and then stops being broody.

I have tried separating her from the nest. It is a PITA. I decided today to try the cold water bath. I picked her out of the nest and took her to the hydrant. Filled a bucket with cold water. Then put her in said bucket.

I immediately realized I had made an error. I was as wet as she was. The water was cold though. Once I caught her again I took her back to the bucket. This time I held unto her feathers around her wings so she could not to the explosive bucket exit trick again.



I held her in the bucket. She settled down and I think she enjoyed the bucket. She stopped fighting me. I held her in the water for about 5 minutes. Then I let her out. She jumped out, ran to the roosters and started telling them what she thought of me. I now know where the saying "mad as a wet hen comes from". She stayed out of the coop for about 10 minutes while I watched her.


I went out about an hour later to check the coop. She was back on the nest. There was a difference this time. She started to peck and claw at me as soon as I reached for her. I think they do have short term memory capabilities in their little pea brains. Once I got my hands into the nests and most of the bleeding subsided I picked her out and carried her back to the hydrant. She fought me the entire trip.

I filled the bucket with fresh clean cold water and held her in the bucket again. I pulled her out, then dunked her again. I am guessing she spent 10 minutes in the water. She was not at all happy. As soon as I let her out she started cackling and letting everyone know what a PITA I was to her. Again she went to the main flock, stood by the roosters and they just stared at me. I figured this time I did it.


45 minutes later she was back on the nest.... Should I try this again or is there a better plan? I may need to wear welding gloves to get her out of the nest the next time....
 

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