My Little Hoop Coop

[SageHill]

Thank you for the kind feedback.

I'm still thinking about those nest boxes. They're sitting on an inverted planter. I didn't want to drill holes in them, but maybe I could put a screw(bolt)/washer through the side and secure it with a nut on the other side of the planter box.

What about a wood frame around them?

 

[fuzzi]

What about a wood frame around them?

Like the base of the hoop coop, simple rectangle?

The main issue is different sized boxes, haven't been able to get two that match. Even when bungeed together they wiggle.

 

[SageHill]

Like the base of the hoop coop, simple rectangle?

The main issue is different sized boxes, haven't been able to get two that match. Even when bungeed together they wiggle.

I'm thinking a frame that goes over the top - from the ground up the side, over the top and down the side. Could have a base that goes around the outside at the bottom - yeah would be too big around the smaller one, but it would provide stability, and thinking the chooks may decide that the top part of the frame is a perch on top of the nest boxes.

 

[fuzzi]

It's done. Chickens are moved.

I'll post details tomorrow.

 

[Baymule]

Did you clean it and stick it in the freezer with the others?

Dunno, I woke up.

 

[fuzzi]

Monday (after work)

Ta da!

They do not move, but are stable.

I found some bolts with matching nuts that were long enough to go through a plank I had on hand.

I drilled a hole through each box while they were positioned under the plank, open ends down. Then I screwed the bolts through the boxes and plank, adding the nut to the back. I held the nut in place with an adjustable wrench while I used a ratchet to tighten the bolt from the inside of the box.

I placed the two attached boxes to the top of the upsidedown planter box, zip-tying the plank to the cattle panel frame.

There was still a little "play" so I added a small length of 2x4 between the boxes, and now they do not move.

I added fresh straw and a faux egg to each box.

I mounted a perch to the left side, just inside the door, securing it with metal hanging strap and screws. I put a second "log" on the ground on the right side of the door, sawing off branch ends (for safety) and securing it with zip-ties. Eventually I will put a higher perch there, through upended concrete blocks, but I will need to create a flat base first.

Then I rearranged the wheelbarrow and added an upsidedown plastic planter for "clutter" and interest. A little clutter can help a hen avoid unwanted attention from others, female or male.

A feeder, waterer, and a dish of oyster shell flakes completed the setup.

I'll make more tweaks, but now it was good enough for residents.

The new tenants moved in last night...

Abigail, Tamar, Silas, Naomi, and Esther

 

[fuzzi]

Addendum: forgot to mention that I added two flakes of straw in the wheelbarrow. The gals can lay eggs there if they aren't sure about the boxes, or they can scratch it around and out. Or both.

 

[SageHill]

Looks fantastic!! Very lucky hens!

 

[fuzzi]

And that concludes my hoop coop build thread.

 

[Finnie]

Congratulations!