Thoughts and Ideas for Recycling the Trampoline for Chicken Use

[Frazzemrat1]

My children have a trampoline that hasn't gone up in ages, its basically sat around and done nothing for some time. This winter, I plan on taking each of the poles, sanding and repainting them. My current thought is that I wanted to assemble it without the netting, and convert it into a chicken run. I would attach it to my current run with a chicken 'tunnel'. This trampoline has the poles for the safety net, so I can get it up almost as tall as I want. I feel that my biggest issues will be keeping the frame secured (maybe drill screw holes, so that when its assembled I can pin it together?) and making a human sized door so that I can access the run.
I'm planning on making this a 'semi-permanent' structure, only because I don't want to make it permanent and have to pay the town to build it.
My current coop/run was a dog run that was half covered over concrete and the half just a fence. We built the coop inside on the concrete, added more wire than just the chain link fencing (and increased the height in the 'outside' uncovered portion. Now I just want to add onto the space they have currently.

So, thoughts on this? anybody with ideas to make this easier on me? Anybody with similar set ups, want to show pics? Oh, and yes... I've searched on here for ideas already.

 

[cavemanrich]

Use the frame at the 3 foot height. Stretch welded wire around diameter and cover with a pool leaf cover. Your chickens will be safe from most daytime predators. If you want to make it higher using those safety net poles, not sure how steady your structure would be. 3 foot is plenty for chickens to run around under. It is not high enough to walk into, but maybe not all that much necessary to access. On occasion you would need to do some clean up, just remove pool cover and walk in.
I have a trampoline that have considered converting into a movable tractor. I attached 2 wheels to one side, and lift the opposite side to move around the yard to cut grass. Still using it for Jumpi Jumpi though.
WISHING YOU BEST.....

 

[CapricornFarm]

You could use the frame by taking half of it and put it on its side and then connect it to the other half with welded wire. Then it would be tall enough to stand up in. Sometimes you can get free trampoline frames on Craigslist, so you could make it even bigger. Good luck.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Thanks guys! I've been seeing pics of people with half of it on its side... I really like that idea. I have to take a look at what I have for space and go from there!

 

[aart]

Try perusing some of these threads:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/13523320/?q=trampoline&t=post&o=relevance&c[title_only]=1