My Little Hoop Coop

fuzzi

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Mostly it's because your of cut isn't straight, won't line up 👎 😋
Actually, I don't think that's the problem. There's too much tension due to the cattle panels pushing the long sides outward, and I couldn't get the boards to line up, be flush. The cut was fine.
IMG_20230128_141856908_HDR.jpg

There's a tremendous amount of pressure being exerted outward against the 2x4s. That's why I am rethinking the assembly process, what I can do to keep the boards closer to being square.

I could line up the lumber and drill pilot holes. Some people have written that they drilled holes and used carriage bolts. I might have some of those in the miscellaneous hardware box. I just don't have the physical strength or tools to clamp those boards into position.

Thinking...
 
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canesisters

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You ladies are AMAZING!!!!
🎉🎉🎉🙌

I don't know if this will help with the type of hoop coops your building, but when I built a simpler one as a feeding shelter for my old horse, I used a rope to keep the ends close.
I laid the panel out flat, then pulled one end over to meet the other & tied them together with a slip knot. Then I could sit it up on edge & let the knot out until the ends were about as far apart as I wanted them. Once I stood it up, it didn't fight me while I attached the bottom edges at the ground.
 

Baymule

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I find it easier to build the frame first, square it up with a speed square. Then I lay a cow panel over the frame, with one end in the frame. Then I pick up the other end, but not on the very end, far enough up for me to comfortably reach. I take a couple steps forward, brace myself, lift and snap it upwards, and walk it up to the frame and drop it in. It’s kinda like trying to pop a kink out of a water hose sort of motion.
 

fuzzi

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You ladies are AMAZING!!!!
🎉🎉🎉🙌

I don't know if this will help with the type of hoop coops your building, but when I built a simpler one as a feeding shelter for my old horse, I used a rope to keep the ends close.
I laid the panel out flat, then pulled one end over to meet the other & tied them together with a slip knot. Then I could sit it up on edge & let the knot out until the ends were about as far apart as I wanted them. Once I stood it up, it didn't fight me while I attached the bottom edges at the ground.
I used bungees on the first hoop coop:
IMG_20230119_142912712_HDR.jpg


(yes, I document everything!) :D =D
 

fuzzi

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I find it easier to build the frame first, square it up with a speed square. Then I lay a cow panel over the frame, with one end in the frame. Then I pick up the other end, but not on the very end, far enough up for me to comfortably reach. I take a couple steps forward, brace myself, lift and snap it upwards, and walk it up to the frame and drop it in. It’s kinda like trying to pop a kink out of a water hose sort of motion.
Here's my favorite gardener making a trellis. He demonstrates how to bend it if you don't have help:
 

Mini Horses

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Wow...my panels are not that easy to bend. Way thicker metal it seems. 🤷. But the idea is great! Of course, mine are old ones, so they did make things sturdier then -- now it's like shrinkflation of metal 😋
Fence used to be 10 gauge, now 14. Way thinner, lighter.
 

fuzzi

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Wow...my panels are not that easy to bend. Way thicker metal it seems. 🤷. But the idea is great! Of course, mine are old ones, so they did make things sturdier then -- now it's like shrinkflation of metal 😋
Fence used to be 10 gauge, now 14. Way thinner, lighter.
This is what I get, it says 4 gauge:

Screenshot_20250206-113223-409.png
 
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