Need building advice..

[aart]

2 cattle panels, 3 2x4's, 3 sheets of plywood, 2 wagon wheels, 2 bolts, 2 washers, 2 nuts, 2 hinges, a tarp, some chicken wire (all for roughly $150) a couple afternoons, & VOILA!.....a portable coop & run all in a single unit.

Ehhhh...no HC.
This was about $350, and it's just for growing out CX or Turkeys:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

These trailers bolt together. I built my first coop to go on a smaller version of this. I think these go on sale periodically. Don't know if the 20%-off coupons work on these.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lbs-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62648.html

 

[kwhites634]

How big will your coop be and how much can you spend on a trailer?

A pair of 16' cattle panels, side by side, with the ends about 8' apart, will be about 6' high in the center. You can fit a lot of coop in just one end of that. Add a 3rd panel & you'd have an additional 4' of length, approximately.

Lots of variables in trailers, so it'd be hard to put an exact price on a DIY unit; would depend on the cost of materials plus whatever you figure your time's worth. Altogether, I'd almost bet it'd be cheaper to build a hoop coop; maybe, maybe not.

 

[aart]

These trailers bolt together. I built my first coop to go on a smaller version of this. I think these go on sale periodically.

Good idea, fenders could be removed.
Make sure your mower will accept a ball hitch and have room to accept socket...
...mine was very close to not working due to fenders on tractor and tires clearance reduced turning radius.

 

[kwhites634]

Ehhhh...no HC.
This was about $350, and it's just for growing out CX or Turkeys:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/

I use chicken wire over the panels & under the tarp; HWC, which I didn't include in the mat'l list, around the bottom of the panels & any space on the ends not covered by plywood.

 

[kwhites634]

These trailers bolt together. I built my first coop to go on a smaller version of this. I think these go on sale periodically. Don't know if the 20%-off coupons work on these.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lbs-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62648.html

That works, too, but adds considerably to the overall cost. Sure would be easy to move around by hand, though.

 

[kwhites634]

Good idea, fenders could be removed.
Make sure your mower will accept a ball hitch and have room to accept socket...
...mine was very close to not working due to fenders on tractor and tires clearance reduced turning radius.
View attachment 1592706

You'll lose your cool real quick trying to back up, too....been there, have the tee shirt

 

[aart]

You'll lose your cool real quick trying to back up, too....been there, have the tee shirt

The bigger the trailer the easier the backup...but still, yeah, backing up is tricky, takes practice and some natural skill.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

That works, too, but adds considerably to the overall cost. Sure would be easy to move around by hand, though.

I think they go on sale for about $100 less. If the 20% coupon works, even better.

 

[kwhites634]

The bigger the trailer the easier the backup...but still, yeah, backing up is tricky, takes practice and some natural skill.

Tell me about it! There was a time, not so long ago, when I could back a 16' GN stock trailer the 600'+ of my lane, sometimes w/o having to stop for corrections. Put me on an ATV or riding mower with a 12cf yard cart behind & I'll jack it every time!