Moving our coop.... what did we do wrong.

[sattoritx]

We were trying to make this coop as moveable as possible (since we're renters) so it is built very sturdy.
After building 90% of it we realized we cant move it even to the designated spot in our yard.
We have 8 chicks...
We went with the standard 4sq ft per chicken making the coop 4x8 just seemed the easiest dimensions since it would still fit in the bed of our truck with the back gate down (if we could lift it in there).
It does have 4 4x4 pressure treated posts on all corners that are 6 ft tall. but then the floor is framed out with 2x6's to help make the siding sturdier, use as a kick plate for bedding and to make the nesting boxes.

 

[KellyHM]

That's way too much heavy duty wood for a portable coop.

 

[SillyChicken]

couple thoughs... add some additional diagonal bracing and put skid plates under the legs, like a sled. I've seen people use guard rails along roads (for moving a huge tree hunting stand)...

If you have a truck you could pull it around, but I'd put something under the posts so it won't catch on something and collaps on itself.

Or put removeable axel/wheels in so you can roll it around the yard. You may have to jack up one end at a time, but it's doable.

 

[sattoritx]

Yeah we figured that one out, lol I hate to say I told you so to the hubbie though.
We (rather I) originally planned to only have the legs of the coop the 4x4 posts, I also thought it would be nice if we could lift it off in different sections, bottom run/ legs, coop & roof. Funny enough we got in a huge fight friday night before purchasing the materials because i didn't want the 4x4 posts all the way up the sides, my stand was that i wouldnt be able to lift it when we moved. I told him my brother and him needed to be able to lift it.
Hubbie being a contractor wanted to make it sturdy enough to move and withstand our tornado warnings and high winds.

 

[sattoritx]

Quote:
Some great ideas, its hard to see in the pic but we built it on panels of bathroom stalls, we had severe thunder storms, the night before we started construction and had a lot of mud in the yard. That may work to slide it on, to its spot in the yard. The wheels are going to have to work to transport when we move though.

 

[Bossroo]

At the very least consider to make the roof removeable. Sides too.

 

[NellaBean]

I made a 2x4 coop, 3 feet tall..........framed using only 2x2's......and it is still difficult to move. With wheels, easy as pie. I have a 4x4 tractor framed with 2x4's and it is already very very difficult to move. The only thing really "moveable" are small lightweight tractors.

 

[illegal avian]

Here's the deal... you need a new and improved moving technique! Slide a blanket or a rug under the narrow side about halfway under. Then PULL... you may need a two-man operation with one on each side... your main objective is to relieve some of the weight off of the bottom frame so it is not digging into the ground. Remember, Pharaoh had "push-pull" men back when he was moving pyramid parts and stuff. Oh yeah, and the pretty water girl outfit never hurts!

 

[CityChook]

Last fall, we made a 4x8 coop (coop was 4x4 with an 8x4 covered run) set up for a friend. When it was time to deliver it, it took 4 guys to get it on the trailer and 6 guys to get it off the trailer and into it's position on the side of a hill. Very very heavy. But portable with enough hands to help. No, my coop could not be used as a tractor, but it wasn't going anywhere in a windstorm either.

Your coop is well built with quality materials. You should be very proud. I'd recommend an evening of BBQ and some strong backs/weak minds/dry throats/hungry tummies to get that bugger into position into your yard. Or do you have a friend with a winch on their truck? You could put it on sliders and winch it across the yard...

 

[tammyd57]

Rent a pallet jack and move it anywhere in the yard. Rent it again when you're ready to move.