My new hoop tractor

[elmo]

Quote:
FarmTek ships the hoops in two pieces, and you join them in the middle (I used some pipe connecters that I found at my local Home Depot because I didn't want to fuss with drilling into the metal hoops). Shipping isn't too expensive, either. I've been thinking about buying one of their coldframe setups (the EZ build) for a stationary run, but can't quite make up my mind whether I want to do this or build another wood framed one.

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft1_coldframes_hightunnels;pg105158f.html

The 10' by 10' cold frame would give me a nice size run, plus that would be the most efficient shape for covering with wire.

Farmtek also sells these package setups:

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplie...1&langId=-1&division=FarmTek&productId=366426

I like the company a lot; they threw in a free pair of gardening gloves with my order, plus a number of discount coupons for future orders. And the customer service is very good; I had a number of questions about the frame before I ordered and was able to get all my questions answered by their "instant chat" feature.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Ok so i just realized you added the wire yourself?? That still would be cheaper I would think..

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Yes, I did.

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

Nice, affordable set-up. Godd job!!

 

[DerbyChook]

Nice! Can you post a close up of how you built the door on the end? I have been thinking of something similar.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
I'll try to get some pictures posted, but I'm not sure you're going to really be able to see from the pictures. In this case, a description might be better.

What I did on that end of the tractor is use pieces of wire, doubled up and folded to make an edge (so nothing would be sharp, and so the wire would be extra sturdy). I used one doubled up piece of wire for the header, one doubled up piece of wire for the left side, and one doubled up piece of wire for the right side. An open space was thus formed in the center. With me so far?

Then I fashioned a door from a rectangular piece of wire, folded over on all four sides again to form the edges. This I fastened to the left side of the wire door frame with zip ties. I use a bungie cord to hold the door closed at the bottom, and spring clips to fasten it at the top. Originally, I had the door "hinged" at the top, but this was a terrible pain as I was herding the chickens into the pen (I had to find something to keep it propped open). I like the side hinge much better. It stays open until I shut it.

I'll go get some pictures in a little while (it's raining out there right now).

I've worked a lot with hardware cloth and bending the edge over and under, then stepping on it until it's good and flat, is the best solution I've come up with so far to the problem of the sharp edges that result from cutting wire.

And to fasten to pieces of wire to each other, I use loxit clips. Love those things.

 

[DerbyChook]

Quote:
I think I get what you are saying from your description. Thanks, that is helpful.