PVC Coops

[bburn]

Your pvc coop looks great. I just need something smaller to put the chickens in and move them around. But then I would like to have something larger like that to put the roo's in if they start getting mean.....

 

[jeb251]

I had two pvc runs off my double layer coop, I built them last spring and put a tarp over them for shade, well last winter we had a terrible storm and the runs disintegrated, I have since decided no more pvc runs for me, they were 1" schedule 40 pipes and secured to the ground with 18" stakes

 

[AllTheseCreatures]

We don't get much snow here, what we do get melts quickly (usually). We have lots of rain and lots of wind. The coop stands up really well. I reinforced the roof with a long piece of metal electrical conduit inside the PVC and a vertical piece inside the coop, we attached the PVC to the frame with conduit brackets. The end hoops are attached to the framing as well by long wood screws.

The original plans called for sched. 80 PVC, but we ran into the problem of not being able to find the type of 4 way connectors for sched. 80 we needed. So we went with sched. 40 and hoped for the best. So far so good!

 

[oldchickenlady]

Here is my pvc run. I used it for about 3 months before I built my coop. I used 1x2 welded wire with about 18" of it staked to the ground all around it (too rocky to bury). I really should have put hardware cloth around the bottom 3 feet or so, but I didn't and I was lucky and nothing happened (coons can reach through wire and grab chickens). I stabilized the top of the hoops with a piece of crown molding I found in the top of our garage. Just used screws and they went through the pvc pipe and the wood. then when you put your wire on and attach it to the pvc, it becomes very stable.

This is how it looked when I first started:

And this is what it looks like now attached to my coop:

My run is 10'x10' but you can make them whatever size you want. It took two sections of pvc for my run, because I wanted it tall enough for me to walk into. I do have to stoop over to get in the door, but it is about 5'6" inside. I had to cut some of the pipe off the get it to that height, so you can play with it and see what height you want or need. Before I attached it to the coop, I could move it with help from my husband and son, but not by myself.

 

[Ravie]

We did tons of research before deciding to make a hoop house. I pushed my husband to make a PVC one (cheaper!), but he refused. He was concerned that the plastic wouldn't last long in the sun, and that it would become brittle and crack in the cold (we live in Indiana). He also wasn't certain PVC could handle a heavy snow load. We ended up using steel rebar instead.

I suspect PVC would be best if used in a warm climate.

 

[Athenzchick]

Quote:
I'm wondering, how did you attach the PVC pipe to the 2x4s? I love your run, but I am "hardware challenged". Thanks!

 

[mcostas]

tag for interest.

 

[ScotH]

@Athenzchick
You can use a 1" (or whatever size) drill bit to make holes for them to fit into the lumber, it be best to make the holes at a slight angle towards the 'middle' of the coop, when bending the PVC it will go into the base easier.

I'm doing mine a little different 'cause I had a bunch of T-connectors laying around, maybe I'll post some pics.

EDIT:

it's not all glued together, just the sides and center connectors. I will probably not use the end pieces since the sides will be mounted to the 2x4 base. It's around 9 feet by 6 feet and my coop will be 6 feet by 4 feet.