My Little Hoop Coop

[fuzzi]

Your hoop coop is so nice. Your chicks will have plenty of space to move around too.

Yep, preparing for more chickens, too.


I am going to wait until the rest of the build is done to add the latches, giving the wood some time to shrink.

I still need to finish adding hardware cloth on the door end, and attaching it to the cattle panel hoops, and the wood frame/base. I'm going to try to get some of that done every evening after I get home...weather permitting.

And then, the roof...

 

[canesisters]

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Fantastic job!!!! You are one determined lady.

 

[fuzzi]

Fantastic job!!!! You are one determined lady.

Thanks!

The door is tight, but is finagled shut, not forced to close. I don't want to damage it.

 

[fuzzi]

I spent some time this evening working on the hoop coop, securing the hardware cloth to the wood frame/base.

I began with 3" deck screws but decided to downsize to 2 1/2".

The HWC started snapping as I tightened each fender washer and screw. What?

That did not happen the last time, and I'm using the same brand HWC.

I was not amused.

I patched the broken areas with some of the leftover black HWC (a free 10' sample from Amaz0n!)

To avoid breaking any more of the HWC I didn't try to torque it tight to the wood, which I did with the first hoop coop. It'll be fine.

Ta da!

Both long sides are now mostly secured.

Next, I need to add HWC around the door and the last few inches over the top.

And finish securing the HWC to the hoop frame with zip-ties.

And figure the best way to secure the wooden end.

Maybe drill holes and zip-tie?

Speaking of drills, I broke another bit. This time I don't have a spare, will have to get a replacement.

 

[fuzzi]

After morning errands I headed outside to work on the front of the hoop coop.

I had a leftover piece of hardware cloth that was almost long enough to cover the hoop, but I knew I could add another piece to the bottom, it's very doable. I flipped the HWC over the top (by myself!), and adjusted it so there was a couple inch overlap with the other HWC. I secured the two pieces of HWC with zip-ties. I wasn't sure if I was going to need to adjust it again, so I used the light tan and light gray zip-ties that came in a package of black. I can replace them with black once I'm done.

I cut the HWC with tin snips and attached it to the door frame with screws and fender washers.

Right side done except for a small area at ground level and patchwork around and above the door frame.


The left side did not want to cooperate. I had to cut the HWC, then patch it with a spare piece.

Gotta love the Frankenstein look!

An example of what @Baymule calls "craptastic"?

I do recall having to do something similar with my first hoop coop. As long as it's secure, I don't care, and neither will the chickens.

I was really hot and tired by this point, so I decided to wait until tomorrow afternoon to work on the gaps at the bottom.

 

[Mini Horses]

It's a work in progress. Going along nicely.

 

[fuzzi]

It's easier to see the work remaining using a flash in the dark.

 

[akroberts 1085]

It's easier to see the work remaining using a flash in the dark.
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I thought something went wrong

 

[fuzzi]

I thought something went wrong

The left side needs more work, the HWC didn't fit well. It's a challenge to create with flat fencing and a hoop shape.

I did it once before, I am doing it again.

 

[fuzzi]

From the first hoop coop build:

The door side is different, but you can see even then how I had to work with uncooperative hardware cloth!