My coop/hoop house/tractor thingie idea...

[ittibittirainbow11]

Ok so I got this idea when I started to build my green house... so this is my idea I'll try to explain it. PLEASE GIVE FEED BACK!!!!!

this is the greenhouse frame and the inspiration.

this is the sketch I came up with.
What I want to do is... add supports along the center frames and build a 4' x 4' box for the coop area. Here's a look at that idea...

*sorry the pic is so bad I wish I knew how to make stuff like this on the computer*
Anyway ...
-The coop would have an open top and bottom for ventilation and could be replaced for the winter. The bottom would have wire mesh for easy cleaning, or more of a self cleaning system.
-The front would of course have the pop hole, and ramp. I want to try an auto door. I'm not good with mechanics and electronics so Ill have to recruit help.
-The back would have a storage area with the only access from outside the coop. This area would be about 18" deep and run the full 4'. Inside the coop would be the nest boxes. These will be built up on top of the storage area. I could fit up to 8 in there but I really think 4 would be sufficient. I'll leave something like a chill out area there. I will also add a few roost spots too.

In the end the whole thing will be covered by hardware cloth and toped off with a tarp that would cover the top and sides about half way down. To allow for shade and ventilation. The front will have a door for human access I will also add a door under the storage area as that is where I plan to hang the food and water. The wheels will be fitted on the back for easier maneuverability.

Well I hope I explained it well enough. Please pLeAsE PLEASE let me know what you think. Ask me questions give me suggestions. I feel like I've touched on all the basics but I know I've missed something.

 

[purelypoultry]

Sounds like you have thought it out very well. One suggestion would be to install some sort of grip handle or somehting to hold onto (vs holding the wooden edges) when rolling it to another side of te property, just to help with your comfort when moving it.

 

[ittibittirainbow11]

See I didn't think about that. Thank you!

 

[urbanfarmette]

is your coop floor dimensions 4x4? i am building a 4x4 coop and have been trying to figure out how to fit two roosts in. i think i'm going to have to go with one. from what i've heard you want the roost about 18" from the wall. if you put one on each side you may not have a place to put food and water where droppings won't fall into them.

did you say you're going to remove the coop floor and roof in summer? first, you may want a slanted roof to keep rain off. an overhang on the roof will help prevent water from leaking into your coop as well and prevent wood rot. also, there are some varied opinions on wire floor (or what kind of floor would you have if you remove the floor?). probably not a problem in summer when they are only going in to roost though. also, don't forget to add places for ventilation when the roof/floor are on in winter since they will still need ventilation. you may want some windows for light esp in winter when they will be inside more. it will help with egg production. a lot of people here use plexiglass.

i also considered the auto pop door but IMO they want a crazy amnt of money for those and the build your own don't seem simple. i've decided to make a secure coop/run (by wiring the bottom of the run) and making an easy open door. first, i will buy some thick vinyl from a fabric store (i'll watch the remnant bin since they have them there sometimes). then i will make the type of door they have at some car washes with strips of vinyl to block the breeze at night but allow the chickens to go in and out on there own. then i will have a piece of wood in a track. it will have a hole in the top and a string that will go up towards the peak of the roof then over to the side of the coop so i can pull the string to open the pop door to let the hens out without entering the run. the pop door will slide up and down. i figure in the heat of summer i won't open or close the door at all and in spring and fall it will depend on the day if i leave it open at night. in winter i will open it every day (or not at all if it's REALLY cold out). i need to go feed them and collect eggs everyday anyway so opening/closing the door manually won't be too big of a deal. i hope all of that made sense. i have plans for all of this on excel but i don't know how to put them on here. i could take a picture of the computer screen but my husband has my camera. maybe i'll try and do that tomorrow night.

oh and about a tarp...i've done some research there too and decided to build a real roof on the coop and run. from what i hear the wind will get under the tarp and do one of three things. 1. move or tip your coop/run 2. rip the tarp to shreds in a matter of weeks 3. cause lots of strain on your coop causing it prematurely age/need repair. i still may use some tarp on the side if i need it to break the wind/give shade/block the hens from the neighbor's dog's eye sight but i don't think it will be as big of an issue if it's not covering the top and 1/2 of the sides.

again, i hope all of this makes sense

jessica

 

[ittibittirainbow11]

You made some good points. I'm too worried about the big bad raccoons and such to have a soft door, and unfortunately I have to rely on other people to help me. I would feel better with an auto door.
As for the floor space and the interior I'll have to draw out a better picture. I'm not very good at explaining my ideas. I'm a visual learner there for if I can see it I can explain it better.

 

[urbanfarmette]

i think the auto doors are awesome and was convinced to get one until i realized it would be 1/3 my budget.

i'm thinking my soft door would be safe from racoons if they can't enter the run. you can secure the run by wiring the entire bottom, burying the sides so the animals can dig under the fence, or making an apron around the outside (enter "apron run" in the search box and you'll see what i mean by this). racoons are crafty though! i have never seen one in our neighborhood but that doesn't mean they're not there (or won't be attracted by some yummy chickens). but unless they carry wire cutters on them they won't get through a good quality hardware cloth run that's secure!

good luck with your project

jessica

 

[ittibittirainbow11]

Here is a couple of sketches of the inside

The top pic is a view looking down into the coop. You can see where the nest boxes will be, along with the 3 (staggered) roosts. The bottom 2 roosts will be 16" away from the outside walls and the upper roost will be in the center above the door and attached to the top of the storage area.
In the lower pic is a side view. The Storage box will be 18" deep and 18"-24" tall and spans the back of the coop. On top of that will be the nest boxes 12"x12"x12" Unless for some reason they need to be taller. That's why I'm not too sure on how tall the storage area will be. On the top level there will be a feeding and watering area for the winter.
Can you see what I want to achieve? Did this help in my explanation?

 

[Zanna]

Ours is 14 x 20 and built all on PVC pipe so slides on the grass/ground very easily. We can pull it from either end with the four wheeler or a vehicle, or two people can physically push it sideways. We recently installed an auto door into the main door. I would be happy to answer any specific questions, feel free to post on the thread or PM.

Rosanna

 

[ittibittirainbow11]

Zanna That is very similar to what I plan on doing. Mine will only have a 8'X8' foot print. Is your coop door a DIY or a kit?
urbanfarmette are you referring to the hardware cloth wrapped around the bottom of the kennels? 'Cuz I'm going to make the whole thing out of 1/4" hardware cloth. If I were to burry the wire I wouldn't be able to drag it around the yard or over my garden plot.

 

[Zanna]

The auto door we installed comes pre-made, not a kit. It is a pullet-shut brand door --- awesome!! Hubby designes electrical components and he thinks it is really cool. Our coop is on the farm but 1/4 mile and a hill away so he also installed a DIY radio transmitter between the coop and house that in our house shows two lights when the door is open and one light when it is closed. Saves the momma some worry and a drive down there every morning and night.............