My Pvc Chicken Coop Project

[suzeeg]

:cdHi,
My name is suzeeg. My Mom always had chickens when we were kids growing up, and my children loved to go to Momo's house and the chicken yard was a big draw. So now that I have grandkids (four of the little critters) I wanted them to have that experience at my house. So after salvaging a brooder from a friend I took the two oldest (4 year olds) to the feed store and let them pick out some chicks. We bought a total of 10 and two ducks. Wow, were they excited. They were all named, even had to make name collars for them (which of course did not last long). The next step was to design and build a chicken yard.

So after some research and my own ideas I contructed mine out of PVC pipe.https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/57575_100_0051.jpg[/img][/URL]

I first put the bottom frame together using 3" PVC pipe. I then divided the length up by 48 inches and drilled 1" holes into the top of the 3" pipe at predetermined distances. I then took joints of 3/4" pvc pipe, schedule 40 and placed each end into the drilled holes, forming some hoops. I attached pvc pipe the length of the pen on each side and on top.

I secured the joints with sheet rock screws instead of glue so it could be dismantled if need behttp://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/thumbs/57575_100_0051.jpg[/img][/URL] I then covered about a third of the hoops and sides with shade cloth as well as on top. Once this was accomplished I attached 1/2" hardware cloth to the lower section of the pen and chicken wire to the top section. I made a door out of pvc pipe using 1' pieces for hinges. I make an elongated window out of pipe as well at the back of the coop for gathering eggs. I also spray painted all the white pipe black to maybe protect them from uv rays that might weaken the pipe. The chickens and ducks are now old enough, and they hit the ground running. The grandkids really enjoy it. The pen is also moveabe by attaching it to my lawnmower and scooting around my 3 acres to fresh grass. It was a really fun project. Lastly I attached some hot wire insulators to the 3" pvc pipe around the outside of the pen to keep the mean critters away. You may be able to see in the background of this pic, the feeder I made out of a leftover piece of 3" pipe and and elbow. I pour the feet down the pipe and the chickens eat the feed out of the elbow. As they eat feed falls down the tube and keeps the elbow full. I had to angle the tube to get the elbow where it would hold the feed.As the chickens get bigger I will tweak up with nests boxes and such but right now I moved their brooder cage in there attached a ramp for them to go in and out as they please. I am proud to say that except for attaching the chicken wire to the top half of the coop I did everything myself. I hope this helps anyone who may want to build a chicken pen. It was very inexpensive and a blast. Are there things I would have done differently: Nope!

UPDATE: JUST TO LET EVERYONE WHO HAS ASKED KNOW, THAT THIS COOP IS GREAT. IT IS HOLDING UP WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE USES FOR A PEN LIKE THIS ARE ENDLESS. RABBITS, PUPPIES, GOATS, ANYTHING. IT IS VERY STURDY AND BEST OF ALL , NO ROT. AND IT IS EASY TO MOVE AND ADDING STUFF TO IT IS EASY. THANKS EVERYBODY FOR YOUR INPUT. SUZEEG

 

[Mtn Cur]

Looks great! That will last a long time, and you don't have to worry about any rot. I bet the 3 inch stuff cost you. Two suggestions- put in a 3x2 tee with a cleanout adapter and plug in. Face the tee upward where you could fill the 3 inch pipe with water/ RV antifreeze, to anchor the coop. And secondly thread a hose bib in to drain when you need to move.

 

[rawheid]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Acres/554946411192913 found it

 

[Want Less]

I love it!!! Is it heavy enough to not get blown around much in a storm or is it secured to the ground somehow?

 

[Bossroo]

Quote:
I am sure that you are aware that antifreeze means death to dogs,etc.

 

[Mtn Cur]

Thanks Chook-A-Holic, just got back in here. And yes RV antifreeze is harmless- it's what you put in your camper over winter so pipes don't bust.

What I was referring to is giving the coop some weight so the wind won't catch the back end and blow it across the yard. I figured adding water for weight and draining it out for moving would be easier than driving stakes in the ground. And then trying to remove the stakes when your ready to move. Eitherway that's a good looking coop.

 

[Concrete101]

Is the paint for UV protection? I have used regular spray paint on my connectors in the past. I use electrical pvc conduit with UV protection built in.

 

[Bitemynekk]

Ty so much for sharing this. I'm going to make something based on your design this weekend with the hubby. It will be similar but with a few variations like wooden supports. I already have a small coop the chickens are locked up in, so this will be a daytime (not predator proof) run that houses the. coop. It's hard to find anything like what you've done, and it looks brilliant! Well done and ty again for sharing

 

[jaimeandwill]

I love this concept! We started building it today and came to a stand still I have some questions and hope you can help me. Can you tell me how you secured the wire to the cage, especially the door? Also how did you brace the back? We have done verbatim what you did (I think!) And are stuck on the door and bracing it. I hope this link/email is still valid and you will be willing to help!
Thank you in advance for your response! Jaime Jones

 

[suzeeg]

Im working on a pvc pipe run and was wondering what kind of paint will hold up well on it ? thanks for any suggestions

. I just used spray paint for plastic to keep UV rays off