Need building advice..

[CanadaEh]

I agree with @kwhites634 about weight. I have a relatively small coop, about 4ftX5ft and only 3ft tall at the highest point. Even on wheels, there's no way I could easily move it by hand. Coops get heavy fast.

unless you built it on a farm wagon chassis and planning to move it with a tractor, you have to build with weight in mind. Being in southern climate or building for 3 seasons use only would help a lot.

 

[kwhites634]

I would have no trouble if I was making a small, light coop. But mine will be quite larger.

Are you neccessarily stuck on a conventional coop on a trailer? You might consider building a hoop coop, instead. Worth checking out.

 

[andreanar]

Ive hurt my brain again looking up youtube vids. They all seem to be building trailers that require welding, or are fit for hauling on the road. I just need something like this picture below. Like an oversized childs wagon. Can I just put 4 small tractor wheels on a sheet of wood and build my coop on top of it? Or would it collapse in the middle?

 

[andreanar]

Are you neccessarily stuck on a conventional coop on a trailer? You might consider building a hoop coop, instead. Worth checking out.

Yeah, im pretty stuck on the coop on a trailer. My yard gets pretty muddy in certain places, And Id like to be able to move it closer to the house in the winters. And down under some huge willow trees in the summer. Also, with this idea, I can actually work on over this winter right in the driveway, instead of the snowy yard, and move it when its completed.

 

[kwhites634]

I put wheels on the back end of my hoop coop, and a rope from side-to-side on the front end. I wouldn't want to pull it very far by hand, but it's doable, depending on strength. Whole lot easier to use a 4wheeler or mower.

To answer your question, the sheet of wood would work to set the coop on, with enough reinforcement. I'm sure an axle could be fastened to the sheet of wood, but I don't know how to do it.

 

[PirateGirl]

Ive hurt my brain again looking up youtube vids. They all seem to be building trailers that require welding, or are fit for hauling on the road. I just need something like this picture below. Like an oversized childs wagon. Can I just put 4 small tractor wheels on a sheet of wood and build my coop on top of it? Or would it collapse in the middle?View attachment 1592507

You will need supports under the floorboards so it doesn't warp/sag/bow in the middle. Especially with the size you mentioned and the fact that you plan to move it. If you don't support the middle and go to move it you can have some serious problems.

 

[PirateGirl]

you don't need to puchase a whole wagon, just a wheel/axle kit that will attach to the bottom of the coop, something like this.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-E...tor-4-Fixed-Wheel-Kit-06423-ZS9-T30/300707771

 

[kwhites634]

you don't need to puchase a whole wagon, just a wheel/axle kit that will attach to the bottom of the coop, something like this.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-E...tor-4-Fixed-Wheel-Kit-06423-ZS9-T30/300707771

Swivel (caster) wheels on the front would make moving it a lot easier, without tearing up the ground so bad.

 

[aart]

Swivel (caster) wheels on the front would make moving it a lot easier, without tearing up the ground so bad.

This was my thought thru the whole thread.

Keep in mind also that backing up a 4 wheeled cart can be very difficult if not impossible.
A 6x10 coop would be pretty darn heavy + muddy ground + might need chains on mower tires....if your mower can even handle the weight

 

[kwhites634]

This was my thought thru the whole thread.

Keep in mind also that backing up a 4 wheeled cart can be very difficult if not impossible.
A 6x10 coop would be pretty darn heavy + muddy ground + might need chains on mower tires....if your mower can even handle the weight

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.