New hens not going into Eglu Go Up

[Angels4]

I've been meaning to build a WIR since I moved to my new place. With work, travel and just my inability to be it a DIY kind of guy I didn't have the opportunity to get it done and now I'm stressing because of it. This harsh winter weather and amazing wind gusts have really made chicken keeping ALOT more stressfull then it needs to be, but I've come up with a solution.

 

This will be my walk in run..........

 

I will be removing the bit at the back (with the silver grate) and placing the cube right up against the back wall. The run will be 4'Wx10'Lx6'H.

 

For the winter months I will be getting this portable gararge system that is 10'Wx10'Lx8'H.

Edited February 6, 2010 by Guest

[Lewis]

I assume that will all be covered in mesh

 

They look good, is it static on slabs or will you move it round the garden? and do you buy them flat packed or make it

[Angels4]

Yes, it will be covered in wire mesh I am making some alterations to the design I will be making a type of skirting with the mesh (similar to the Cubes attached run) and possibly using paving slabs inside with a bit of earth left in the middle for the girls to scratch around in. I do want to place it as close to the house as possible so I might be able to have an electrician run some conduit to the run for next years weather. Trying to think ahead.

 

I've ordered the plans...I did think of having it flat packed and shipped but it would ship from TX and the cost is prohibitive.

[Plum]

Very stylish, no more bending over for you then

[Angels4]

I may have to stoop down a bit but I won't have to be crawling around on my hands and knees.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Looks like a great plan .

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Is that the one you posted about oooo a year ago Mark, if so it's the inspiration we used for our WIR.......we are making amendments as we go along, such as a better roof & slabbing the entire floor to prevent wretched long tailed vermin from using our girls grubs as a takeaway ......would have loved to have a real http://www.chickenmobilestagecoach.com/ but much too far to get it sent over here, hence our Heath Robinson version (in the back with two cubes attached by their runs to the end "wall" & very saggy under the snow which fell overnight )

 

Good luck with your plans, I hope it all comes together

 

Sha x

[Angels4]

It is...... but with procrastination, work and such it never got built and I am paying for it now. A WIR is a priority after this winter.

[Angels4]

I am soooooo discouraged. I was at the Home Depot today getting the items I need to build my hoop design and while I was talking to the clerk he asked me what I was planning on using the pvc for, when I explained I was using it for a WIR he told me that the pvc hoops I was planning on using would become unstable being exposed to uva/uvb rays of the sun and that the cold temps during the winter would cause it to become brittle and break. Now I'm having to rethink the design of my WIR. Wish I could just get a Tony and get it over with.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm so sorry to hear that, Mark . How frustrating, having your plans dashed . Did he not have a suggestion for an alternative?

 

When I was looking for "home-made" hoops for my veg patch some websites suggested using plastic piping (it's fairly rigid, I believe, but will bend). Would that work? I think you can push pins of some sort into the ground then the piping goes on top of them to hold it in place.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Whatever you do use Mark, it will have to withstand thick & heavy snow for periods of time even if you sweep it off everyday....sorry the words Grandma & eggs spring to mind but it will be important!

 

Good luck in your search...I'll ask DH when he's up & about in case he has any brilliant ideas.

 

Sha x

[Plum]

Your design looks stylish and fun but perhaps it would be a lot easier for you to copy a Tony design. No curves etc., I am a complete novice at carpentry but after knocking a few panels for a rabbit size run I have made enough mistakes to feel confident to try it.

[Angels4]

I picked this particular design because it was fun and IMO "stylish"...I also thought because of the curves it would be a little more wind resistant... but alas I did not consider the heavy wet snow of New England. Found this online last night and although I haven't figured out a way to winterize it yet (and I will) I might just give it a go with my VERY limited carpentry skills. Of course I will leave out the housing portion and just place the Cube and eventually the Eglu inside, I'm thinking I would be able to sort out a plan to seperate it into two parts for any introductions in the future.

http://www.thegardencoop.com

[Plum]

Looks good you could make it more stylish with finishing touches such as stain colour I'm going for that sort of thing by making up panels and screwing them together, then you can adjust size to fit your space. I'm going to download the free sample later and pick up tips

[emchook]

Crikey .. I just had a look at the link mentioned http://www.chickenmobilestagecoach.com/

Does the 4'x8' Grapevine Green Mobile Stagecoach remind anyone else of a mobile bbq ?

 

http://webhosting.web.com/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=560&linkpath=http://www.chickenmobilestagecoach.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/100_1612.jpg&target=_self

 

Grow and cook your own chicken in one handy machine

 

Having said that , the red one is really quite beautiful !

[Angels4]

The plans for the Garden Coop have been purchased and construction is slated to start 01March10....Provided the weather agrees. I would LOVE to show pictures of my progress but the designer has asked not to post too many detailed pictures of the construction (although with my limited construction skills one wouldn't be able to make out what I was doing). I will however post some pictures as soon as I'm complete. Wish me luck....I'm going to need it!!

[Plum]

Great Mark, have you gone for the curvy design or more traditional one you posted before?

[Space Chick]

Good luck Mark

[Angels4]

Great Mark, have you gone for the curvy design or more traditional one you posted before?

 

I soooooo want the "curvy" one but I have to face the fact that with the snow and wind here it wouldn't work out so I went with a more traditional type.

[Seagazer]

Good luck Mark and can't wait to see the end result.

 

I love the idea that 'we' all call a WIR a 'Tony'.

[Lewis]

Good luck Mark!

 

I'm sure it'll look which ever design you choose