PVC for run framing?

[Krysstyllanthrox]

I'm a Lowe's/Home Depot junkie. I habitually just walk around the store looking for ideas and thinking "What can I use that for?"

In wandering around last night I ended up on the electrical aisle staring at the PVC pipe and fastners.

Here are my ideas:
PVC for the frame and braces of the run
Chicken wire to cover the run all over
Hardware cloth to double cover the bottom bit and a skirt to keep out predators

I'd have to figure out how to make a door in the run.

BUT!!! All of that to ask, do you think PVC would be sturdy enough to actually make a chicken run with?

 

[Jacky'sMamma]

It would depend on what type of predators you are trying to keep out, I think.

 

[Katy]

I've seen a couple of pictures in here using pvc pipe. I'm thinking of making a couple small rooster hoop houses using pvc pipe. These would be inside a secure run so I wouldn't have to worry about keeping them protected in these.

 

[pvc coop]

This has been working for about 3 months now. I used about 70 Tee's, 20 Elbow's, and a lot of glue. I think I got about $60 in it. It has survived the Oklhoma wind, by anchoring it down with a tent stake on each end. In the fall after the windy season stops I will add a better roost on top. They are suppose to start laying late August. This is kinda of a temporary until I came up with something better. The Second floor is not glued, it's tied to the 1st floor, with wire. We have seen a 40lb dog standing on top of the chicken wire, and it didn't cave in, so happy with that. I've seen a lot of wooden ones on BYC that I like better than mine, and only cost a few dollrs more.

 

[allen wranch]

Unless you have another barrier around your yard, I would not trust PVC to keep out large predators like coyotes, bobcats, dogs, etc. They can tear thru chicken wire and probable be able to put enough force on the pipes to break them. Raccoons can also tear through chicken wire.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Pvc Coop - i like that ramp! You know, i was just at Lowes yesterday buying more hardware cloth and chicken wire. i was looking for something to use on the top of my new kennel to give support to the wire i was going to run across. i saw those closet organizer shelf things and thought those might make a nice "something" in a chicken pen - maybe as sides or a roof.

Do the chickens seem to like walking up them? Do their toes ever get caught?

Nice pen, by the way.

 

[pvc coop]

The chickens go up and down it just fine.

 

[Krysstyllanthrox]

Quote:
I'm in suburban Tulsa, Oklahoma. I'm pretty sure I mostly have to worry about cats/racoons. But the security is the thing that keeps me wondering if it is that great of an idea.

PVC Coop, thanks for the pictures, that gives me even more ideas.