My Eggmobile -- looking for input, question re: corrugated vinyl

[joszefja]

Hi everybody! Long time reader, firstish time poster. I've recently completed my mostly garbage layer range coop and wanted to see what people think, plus ask a few questions. Cost was a severely limiting factor (I spent less than $40!) as well as building experience (I've previously built a compost bin). Here it is:

Interior, access door, food/water station, roosts

Interior, nest boxes

Exterior, access door side

Exterior, pop door/nest box access. Toddler provided for size reference/saying cheese.
I'm currently keeping 14 range pullets and cockerels in it, but that number should go down to 7-9 hens and one roo. The food and water station is overdesigned and I think I'm going to replace it with a couple of cinder blocks. I thought it would be easy to remove in the rare event I needed to enter the coop, but I've found myself crawling through the pop door in the turns out not so rare event, which is less than sanitary.

I can move it relatively easily on my own with a garbage dolly I built, but the PVC frame bends alarmingly. Any suggestions for a easy to build garbage dolly that hooks to the swing set frame rather than the PVC frame eagerly accepted.

The tarps are temporary but holding up pretty well. I plan on replacing them with corrugated vinyl (political signs) following election season, as well as winterizing the hardware cloth portions with it. When range season is over (Novemberish here in North Idaho) I'm going to park it in a sheltered spot, put in a heat lamp and possibly build a corrugated vinyl extension if there's dissent among the ranks.

So, my main question is, has anyone used corrugated vinyl this way? Suggestions or cautions? I realize I'll need to be careful with the lamp, but there's a lot of clearance.

But since I've built this based on nothing other than a few measurements from the Storey guide and our old fixed coop designed for six layers, I'd love to hear any comments, concerns, etc. Thanks for looking!

 

[Pork Pie]

Corrugated plastic can get make temps very hot in the coop during the summer months. Partially covering the sides (or at least one side, that could be placed in the lea of your dominant weather direction) may be a good idea. If possible, making some of the panels removable may also help

 

[Hokum Coco]

Quote:

Keeping chickens confined and attending to their needs is only part of the equation. Your coop does accomplish this.

You need to add some integrity to the structure. Covering the walls and the floor with hardware cloth is one way this could be accomplished then adding your proposed covering.