NY chicken lover!!!!

[LuvMyChicks1491]

What a job that was!

Holly cow what a beast. When I make the next one I will NOT make it in one section again. Holly H. E. double hockey sticks. That was a chore. We ended up using the lawn mower to pull it up after putting some iron rods to hold one side in place.

How in the world did those of you that have one get the panels up? Did you do them all together or one at a time?

 

[rancher hicks]

Something of a huge generalization I think.

You may be right, but my opinion is based on family experience. My SIL could not afford a house in the U.K. I spoke with his parents who are also transplants. The government has taken over quite a bit and with a 50% tax rate it's not something I'd like to see happen here. M. Thatcher said "Socialism only works until we run out of other people's money"

Of course I do have trouble when they criticize the U.S. I wonder why they moved over here if things were so good over there. Certainly our health care system is off, but I don't want to pay 50% of my income in taxes either. At the risk of getting too political I won't say anymore.

Boskelli .... I am exhausting myself creating hedge rows here -- of tea roses and evergreen shrubs ....

Prince Charles is very active with the English farming culture - he is going a really great job marrying old and modern ....

I am copying some of my strageties (taking in weather differences) off English building ideas ... both the structure and the landscaping. Wish oh wish to have a cob house ... oh well.

I must confess to being partial to British Homes, Country and English Garden magazines. It's where I first read about Hedgerows. Too I spend a bit $8.25 an issue for their Practical Poultry magazine.

I have read about Prince Charles gardening.

 

[rancher hicks]

What a job that was!

Holly cow what a beast. When I make the next one I will NOT make it in one section again. Holly H. E. double hockey sticks. That was a chore. We ended up using the lawn mower to pull it up after putting some iron rods to hold one side in place.

How in the world did those of you that have one get the panels up? Did you do them all together or one at a time?

Are these "Cattle panels"? I did mine single handily. I tied a rope to the end in the middle of one side, pulled it to bend it and tied it. Then I used large "U" nails to secure one side and then did the other. One panel at a time for a double.

Then I framed it out. I used the nails as you can see to hold the framing for the front and back doors. Or you can cover one and not put two doors.

It took me a few days of course, since I have a bad back. I just did some each day.





This is the run on the double hoop. The door was a bit tricky as I had to cut that cross 2x4 to fit the door in. I honestly don't remember how I managed it all by myself.



Location is important because the area where this one is gets too wet. I'd like to raise it a bit and make a berm under it. At least where the run is. I don't clean it I just keep piling stuff on.


This was my second half hoop. I should have moved it back farther. Now I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to move it back a couple of feet. If it were set on the ground it would not be so hard to do.

One thing about using a cordless saw and drill is you have to recharge and that gives you reason to stop for the day.

 

[Metella]

3 panels in mine - put them on one at at time ! I can barely wrangle one !!! But up and fixed to the frame - then the next one up ....

also - I can't bend much - so it is easier to do the mesh wire part when the frame is standing up !

 

[rancher hicks]

3 panels in mine - put them on one at at time ! I can barely wrangle one !!! But up and fixed to the frame - then the next one up ....

also - I can't bend much - so it is easier to do the mesh wire part when the frame is standing up !

Of course. I sure didn't cover the panels with chicken wire or hardware cloth before hand. Lord have mercy! I would have been crippled up for days.

 

[cracrzy4chicks]

Rancher the base is raised above the ground here. Did you run the cattle panel to the ground ?? The panels are stapled to the outside of the frame not the inside ?? I'm thinking about trying to build one of these, either for my cockerals I'm growing out or as a breeding pen. What are the measurements of the run area ?

 

[Glasshen]

The chicks hatched on June 12, 14, and 18. They are pretty young. Last year one broody rejoined the flock early to my mind, but not this early.

On hedgerows, I have been fascinated by willow fedges. Willow branches planted in a line at 45 degrees to the left, woven in with ones planted 45 degrees to the right. In time they form a strong living wall...they do need support, at least in the early time.

 

[LuvMyChicks1491]

Are these "Cattle panels"? I did mine single handily. I tied a rope to the end in the middle of one side, pulled it to bend it and tied it. Then I used large "U" nails to secure one side and then did the other. One panel at a time for a double.

Then I framed it out. I used the nails as you can see to hold the framing for the front and back doors. Or you can cover one and not put two doors.

It took me a few days of course, since I have a bad back. I just did some each day.
This is the run on the double hoop. The door was a bit tricky as I had to cut that cross 2x4 to fit the door in. I honestly don't remember how I managed it all by myself.


One thing about using a cordless saw and drill is you have to recharge and that gives you reason to stop for the day.

Yes there are 3 cattle panels. I put them together on the ground and added the mesh then we bent them..big mistake. I should have done them one at a time, but we got it finally. Won't show you the pictures of the bruises that I have from it falling on my shoulder and arm while we tried to lift it. When I get this finished and get ready to make the one for the chickens I am going to do it one at a time. After about 20 minutes of trying to get it up I was so tempted to get the snips and cut all the ties to take it all apart..then DH decided to get out the lawn tractor to pull it...Had that not worked I told DH that I was going to call you to see how you did it

It will have one end closed and a door on the other end. We are going to move it to where it is going to sit till fall then I will finish with the construction. I rounded the ends of the bottom frame so that it will hopefully slide a little better. We will have to move it behind the duck coop for winter. Can't have it sitting in the middle of the yard. Where it sits right now is the middle of the yard and where we plow snow.

All our tools that we are using are cordless so we have to wait for them to charge. The big problem is that they are old and they don't hold a charge for long enough so it seems to take twice as long to do the work. Very frustrating at times.

 

[LuvMyChicks1491]

3 panels in mine - put them on one at at time ! I can barely wrangle one !!! But up and fixed to the frame - then the next one up ....

also - I can't bend much - so it is easier to do the mesh wire part when the frame is standing up !

I had a hard time once it got to the middle . I have to go back and attach it with some more. I ended up crawling all over it. After a few minutes I got out the knee pads, but it was too late. Knees and shins are still sore.

I knew I should have asked questions before I got going, but I get a little hard headed and like to just get going...guess I learned from that mistake big time!

 

[rancher hicks]

Rancher the base is raised above the ground here. Did you run the cattle panel to the ground ?? The panels are stapled to the outside of the frame not the inside ?? I'm thinking about trying to build one of these, either for my cockerals I'm growing out or as a breeding pen. What are the measurements of the run area ?

This particular run is 9' wide by 100". The width of two cattle panels. I put each on separate and then zip tied them together. My half hoops are 8' wide. I didn't want to pay the extra for a 10' 2x4. You can of course make it however wide you choose. I do let the hens out but on cold winter days it's a nice sunny place for them to be. The plastic also keeps the coop warmer. I do put plastic up to the first cross bar to keep snow out. I've cut the plastic now so it just offers some shelter from the rain. I also have to put a exhaust fan in to cool things off if it gets to warm.








Second door for ventilation and easy cleaning. The wheelbarrow rolls right up to the coop.





Here's some pics of one setting waiting to be used. Notice the yellow rope pulling the two sided together. I will build the frame, nail it to the frame and then set it up on blocks.