RUN_PVC Stage 1 - Need Netting Recommendations

[jazzpurr]

So.. I wanted a light weight, easy to move run. I thought I would try PVC
pipe.

Let me just say two words - Labor Intensive.

But I am very happy with the results. This didn't happen without a lot of
planning and using AutoCAD. I learned a lot about PVC.
One unexpected result is the "Boing" factor. The center posts are
being lifted off the ground by the hooped sides.

The finished product is intended to keep the chickens in and the hawks
out. I have not had any problem with ground predators during daylight
hours.

Stage 2 is applying the netting, which I hope you can help with. The
Internet has dozens of sites and hundreds of products and I'm not
really sure what I should buy. I think I need a 1" mesh with a 50Lb
break strength but I'm not sure. I know that will hold a chicken in but
I don't know if it will keep a Hawk out.
Will a hawk try to slam through the netting or does the netting feel alien
enough to it that it wont even try to get in?
Do you have any experience with attaching the netting? I wanted to use some large Tie-Wraps in case I need to repair of replace any part of the
frame or netting.

Stage 3 will be a rolling Cart that fits through the 36 " doorway. I want it to
contain water, feed, roosts and nesting boxes. That way I can move the PVC run
to new locations and fresh grass plus I can easily maintain the cart
by taking IT to the food and water supplies, cleaning it up and
rolling it to the new location. At night the cart will go right into the coop
and do the job there as well.

Any help on the netting will be greatly appreciated.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

DH wanted to do this and put 2" square wire around it but found it was more expensive than my designs. He still loves the idea of the PVC tractor but hasn't found a way to cut his costs.
We would use the wire instead of netting because of ice storms here and the ability for it to sag, tear or fall apart in our heat also. It just works better for us to use hardware cloth or small wire of some sort.
You have a great coop and DH will be very impressed when he sees this! I like the idea for mobility reasons!
Good luck!

 

[XL506]

Some like outfield fencing or mesh..
http://www.outfieldfencing.com/meshrollprodinfo.asp

 

[dixygirl]

I would again get rolls of welded wire. It could give the structure some weight too. I fear the plastic netting could be sliced like butter.

May require changing the middle vertical poles for stronger metal poles.

I like it a lot.


PS Alternately you could put welded wire around the bottom 4 or 5 feet and door with a bird net on top if they have a secure coop for night time. If you do a net all over including the sides, i would not trust it at all against a random dog or raccoon. A dog could jump on a net sidewall and tear his way in or knock it apart. A raccoon could bite a hole and waltz on in and do his destruction. At the very least put welded wire on that bottom 2 foot tall section all around with a 1 foot L shaped flap all around for diggers.

Are the pipes and connectors glued together with plumber's PVC cement?

 

[jazzpurr]

Yes, It's all glued except for the hoops. If you look at the 3rd picture
you can see the sleeve made from 1" PVC, all the rest is 3/4".

I cut a slice in the 3/4 hoop on both ends and this allowed enough flex
to get it into the 1". Unfortunately the I.D. of the 1" seems to be the exact
size of the 3/4" O.D.

I spent about $115 for the pipe, joints and glue. The netting will probably take it to $200.

If this doesn't work for the chickens then is is going to be a portable
green house.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Are these some of the types of netting you were talking about?
I don't know if they would be better or not. DH has been thinking about this for a while but he wanted to use 3" PVC and that was just too costly and I think it would be too heavy but he wanted to make them into 10' panels.


http://christensennetworks.com/Sub_folder/Bird_Netting.htm

http://www.industrialnetting.com/pest.htm

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LNZ42U?smid=A3ONVYY4BUAO
RQ&tag=nextag-tools-tier4-20&linkCode=asn

 

[Alaskan]

I like the idea of strong metal mesh on the bottom 3' to give it some rigidity and keep out dogs/coons etc. Then use any old flimsy stuff to cover the rest of it.

As to hawks, I don't think you have to worry much about them. Any kind of mesh or net on top would keep them out. The coons or 'possums are the ones that will cause the trouble.

*ponder* Maybe you could do the 'not very strong' mesh all over but add a few electric wires to the bottom for the coons and dogs?

 

[PAChickenChick]

I just wanted to add....I did the "V-8" head slap when reading about your food/lodging service cart. What a fantastic idea!!!!!!!!!!!!

I currently have a mini mini mini movable run for my two chicks that is basicly just 2x2's and some chicken wire (cause I don't leave them out alone) but I will have to make a real one for when they get bigger (and when I get two more)...anyway, what a pain in the butt it is to move the food in, then the waterer, then a roost, ect....

I can't believe that such a simple solution never occurred to me. My only regret is that I didn't read this before and could think of a way to incorporate it into the main coop like you are. But still, it will be a welcome addition to the movable run.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE IDEA!

 

[erthymom2]

wow, i really liked your photo and design, it has me thinkin' now about a smaller version for my little guys!!
thanks for sharing it.





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[sugarbush]

I think flight net would be your best bet, but it is exspensive. I just covered one with deer netting, we will see how that holds up.

I think a Carts Vermont cart would be a great base for your feed station.