Our 'Stagecoach' Clone

[jprs]

Hi there jprs!

We didn't fence in the bottom, I weighed the pros and cons, and decided against it.
We used 3/4 inch 10 foot long PVC. It was sch 40 thickness but I am making a second coop for a friend and and found there is a thinner pvc that renders greater flexablity. I'm not sure it will hold a screw though, however, it is much easier to work with than the sch 40. So far it seems to be ok:


Be sure and use 1-1/8 bit for the holes, and also because of using this big of a bit; a pilot hole can save you much heartache !


I'll update here on how it goes with the changed PVC. I hope the second one doesn't take as long since I made all my mistakes on the first!

Started building mine today. Went with the grey electrical conduit as it is UV rated. I do have a new question. What is the 1X4 about a foot off the base for? It seems like you would want it higher up for stability, but is it needed at all? I'm trying to cut weight where I can, because of modifications to the coop.

 

[Bangarang64]

Started building mine today. Went with the grey electrical conduit as it is UV rated. I do have a new question. What is the 1X4 about a foot off the base for? It seems like you would want it higher up for stability, but is it needed at all? I'm trying to cut weight where I can, because of modifications to the coop.

jprs,

The 1x4 ( i ripped mine down to 2-1/2" wide) provides stability horizontally for the big plywood end pieces, but it also gives something for the pvc to attach to. If you didn't have it, the pvc pipe would wobble too much as it's only attachment points would be at the bottom and then 5ft later at the top.
I think i place the bottom of my 1x4 (which I ripped to 2-1/2) 15" off the ground. I tried to place just before the edges of the big plywood oval pieces began to curve so it could attach to a vertical plane.

Let me know if you need pictures!

On a side note, I am going to switch to sch 40 or the grey on #2 today.

 

[jsd245]

Can we see a pic of the sliding door?

Yes still have not gotten around to getting any more pictures. It slides up and down and you can see it in this picture on the left end of the enclosed part of the coop. Regarding the lower braces on mine I just used a 2x4, and the reason I left it so low is that it supports the enclosed coop floor

 

[Bangarang64]

Yeah I forgot about that. The side horizontal boards help support one end of the hen house!

 

[Bangarang64]

I was asked for a close up of the wheel assembly so I put this together:

 

[Stumpy]

Thanks so much for posting that photo. I have saved it for future reference.

 

[Bangarang64]

I was asked to show the wheel function "engaged" so here's what it looks like:








Hope this helps!

 

[JAMES09]

That's awesome!!

I just wish I had the skills to build something like that...

 

[Bangarang64]

That's awesome!!

I just wish I had the skills to build something like that...

Thanks!
it's really not too hard as projects go, just allow yourself plenty of time.

 

[Bangarang64]

We added the Laying Boxes some time ago
I never posted an update so take a look:




The many screws on the top are there just to hold down a piece of plastic over the plywood lid for a bit of waterproofing.
(that's a wild Dachshund on the lower right side blending into the foliage)



another angle

Also,
we added a grit and oyster shell dispensers/feeders made from instructions we found on here at backyardchickens.com!




Hope you like the updates!