Any Carpenters Here?

Kodiak450 · November 1, 2008

I wanted to ask a question about building a new chicken pen. Right now we have a destroyed pen from a snow storm and we made it the cheapest way with pvc pipe and bird netting, real welfare looking and weak! I am planning on making a antire new pen tomorrow with the help with my laborers and wife and I want to use 6ft 4x4's as posts like in this link..

http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7137

My question is do I need to set these posts in the ground? It doesn't look like they were set in the ground in the pictures. I want to construct same exact design, with chicken wire on roof of pen instead of weak bird netting. Also want to make a door. I just want to know if just by screwing in the bottom board you see connecting each post would be sufficient in holding the posts steady. Digging holes is not an option due to the extremely hard soil and roots from nearby trees. I want to get this entire project done by tomorrow evening. They'll be 4 of us building it.

Any ideas, much appreciated.

Actually after lookig closer at pic of pen, it looks like they used 2x4's and on corner posts put two 2x4's together. I think I under stand this now being able to stand freely own it's own.

98silvz71 · November 1, 2008

I wanted to ask a question about building a new chicken pen. Right now we have a destroyed pen from a snow storm and we made it the cheapest way with pvc pipe and bird netting, real welfare looking and weak! I am planning on making a antire new pen tomorrow with the help with my laborers and wife and I want to use 6ft 4x4's as posts like in this link..

http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7137

My question is do I need to set these posts in the ground? It doesn't look like they were set in the ground in the pictures. I want to construct same exact design, with chicken wire on roof of pen instead of weak bird netting. Also want to make a door. I just want to know if just by screwing in the bottom board you see connecting each post would be sufficient in holding the posts steady. Digging holes is not an option due to the extremely hard soil and roots from nearby trees. I want to get this entire project done by tomorrow evening. They'll be 4 of us building it.

Any ideas, much appreciated.

Actually after lookig closer at pic of pen, it looks like they used 2x4's and on corner posts put two 2x4's together. I think I under stand this now being able to stand freely own it's own.

I am pretty sure that to get a nice sturdy pen you will need to dig the post in the ground. They used 4x4 posts and put 2x4s on the top and bottom to attach the wire fence too. That will be alot strong than just setting them on the top of the ground. If you really can do that, then you could try to turn the 2x4s on the fat face and make square sections. And tie them together where you have a door and what not. It would be much easier even if you have to get your long bar out and your chainsaw to dig posts into the ground. Just from my experience.

txab · November 1, 2008

I wanted to ask a question about building a new chicken pen. Right now we have a destroyed pen from a snow storm and we made it the cheapest way with pvc pipe and bird netting, real welfare looking and weak! I am planning on making a antire new pen tomorrow with the help with my laborers and wife and I want to use 6ft 4x4's as posts like in this link..

http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7137

My question is do I need to set these posts in the ground? It doesn't look like they were set in the ground in the pictures. I want to construct same exact design, with chicken wire on roof of pen instead of weak bird netting. Also want to make a door. I just want to know if just by screwing in the bottom board you see connecting each post would be sufficient in holding the posts steady. Digging holes is not an option due to the extremely hard soil and roots from nearby trees. I want to get this entire project done by tomorrow evening. They'll be 4 of us building it.

Any ideas, much appreciated.

Actually after lookig closer at pic of pen, it looks like they used 2x4's and on corner posts put two 2x4's together. I think I under stand this now being able to stand freely own it's own.

Don't know if you looked at this on the same site. It gives a little better look at the construction of the coop. I would also suggest setting the posts in the ground if possible. The method used on the website would not work well over time if you have much wind, IMHO. Granted there are no solid walls, but wind will still act against the posts and stringers used to tie the whole structure together. Using as good wire mesh on the side and endwalls and stretching it much like you would with a chain link fence would somewhat help with structural integrity. Guess it's better than what you currently use.

My .02 worth

pennzoil29 · November 1, 2008

I agree with sinking the posts in the ground. That is really the only true way of keeping it square, and for it to keep it's strenght. I understand you have the problem with the tree roots, been there, done that, so building it as illistrated will work. You can put gussets in the corners to help strenghten it, and help it to keep it's shape. When building your door, whatever you make your rough opening, make the actual door at least a 1/2" smaller in HxW to fit inside your opening. If you are going to just have the door close against your rough opening, make it 1" bigger. Have fun.

Kodiak450 · November 1, 2008

Yes I did see the other part of the cocnstruction page last night, and the posts really don't seem to me that they are in the ground. I know what you mean about giving it strength and all, but digging on my property is extremely hard. There are alot of stones under the hard soil here. The walls would be secured to hen house on each side, and there are also some nearby huge trees that they also could be secured too. I figured it would be secure enough because for one it won't be supporting heavy weight.

txab · November 1, 2008

I would use treated lumber for all the construction also. You wouldn't be required to paint it if you didn't wish to do so. Treated lumber should always be used for ground contact situations.

takevin · November 1, 2008

rent a hole auger, drop the posts in, and then cement. It will be one solid chicken coop.

mbrannon · November 1, 2008

Let run through a few questions here.

1. What does the Chicken coop protect the chickens from?

2. How might those animals get at the chickens?

Unless you protrude your wire below grade, and cover the top with wire, your chicks are vernerable. Since your gonna have to drop the wire below grade you should sink the post as well.

98silvz71 · November 1, 2008

rent a hole auger, drop the posts in, and then cement. It will be one solid chicken coop.

Doesn't work like that. I have rented the 2 man hole auger, and the bobcat with the hole auger and they both can't just bust through the ground like you are thinking. He has to cut roots, use a long bar to get rocks out of the soil and bust em up. Its pain staking work. Took me 4 days to put a pergola up that should of only taken me 2 or 3. I only dug 3 holes in one day and that was with not so bad rocky soil and roots. On the other side it was 109* that week during a heat advisory.

I would try to either tie the fence between the trees and the chicken coop or I would recommend the digging of the holes. It will be better in the long run specially if you have foxes and other animals getting at your chickens. Also will need to try and bury the fence as much as possible if they try to dig to get in. When you think you have it strong enough to keep them safe, go another step farther to keep them safer.

Kodiak450 · November 2, 2008

We made the new pen today, just got finished after a long days work framing it and started putting on the wire. Gonna finish it up tomorrow. Made a nice door, and everything is pretty sturdy. Gonna use 18" rebarb and drill holes through wood and angor in from better grip. It's much stronger then the pvc crap I had up. I'll take some pics when It's all doen and post them. My back and neck are killing me from all the work. Went out around 10am to get supplies and worked until 11:30, I am beat. Can't wait to pop a valium and go to sleep.

pennzoil29 · November 2, 2008

We made the new pen today, just got finished after a long days work framing it and started putting on the wire. Gonna finish it up tomorrow. Made a nice door, and everything is pretty sturdy. Gonna use 18" rebarb and drill holes through wood and angor in from better grip. It's much stronger then the pvc crap I had up. I'll take some pics when It's all doen and post them. My back and neck are killing me from all the work. Went out around 10am to get supplies and worked until 11:30, I am beat. Can't wait to pop a valium and go to sleep.

Glad to here you got it done. Post your pix when you get time. I'd be taking some vicodin, instead of a valium .

Kodiak450 · November 2, 2008

We made the new pen today, just got finished after a long days work framing it and started putting on the wire. Gonna finish it up tomorrow. Made a nice door, and everything is pretty sturdy. Gonna use 18" rebarb and drill holes through wood and angor in from better grip. It's much stronger then the pvc crap I had up. I'll take some pics when It's all doen and post them. My back and neck are killing me from all the work. Went out around 10am to get supplies and worked until 11:30, I am beat. Can't wait to pop a valium and go to sleep.

Glad to here you got it done. Post your pix when you get time. I'd be taking some vicodin, instead of a valium .

While you will be taking your Vicodin, I'll also be taking my Oxy's 40 mg, 3x day,"sometimes 4 if neeed be" for the last 4-5 years everyday. Top that!

No really, I have a lumbar facet disorder, been on pain meds for many years. You don't want to even know how my back feels this morning, oh and my head? Last night the wife and I were putting up a 16X4 across the top for added support for the wire, and she yanked it too much and the thing fell on my head. It was like being whacked in the head I guess with w 2x4. Anyway, my damn laborer didn't show up yesterday, he was in NYC on a drinking binge or something. And now my back is in terrible pain, I have to wait for the oxy's to kick in.

I am not happy with one way we ran the chicken wire. I ran it oppposite direction then normally and start at bottom of pen and took it over header, then over pen, then to other side's bottom. It looks uneven, so I am gonna take that wire off i think and run it the other way. I also bought 12 18" rebard that I have to drive into the ground, I have a 18" bit for my frill which I will mae holes through wood on the bottom, then inseert barb and drive it down viw sledge hammer. This structure is really well built, for someone of my "lack there of patience". I had my wifes read as an consulaant, to guide me in right direction, and also help out. I was kinda shocked but also happy that he did't want any money for his help. He was heree for at least 8 hours! We did buy him lunch though.

I also don't like this business of having to turn the clocks back to loose day light, so I am staying on the other day light time frame, so it's 9:08 here now for me, not 8:09, to hell with losing another hour of daylight! I DVR all my shows,, I own my own business, so staying on the Spring ahead time zone will work just fine for me.

pennzoil29 · November 2, 2008

I presume you are talking about oxy-contin. They are to damn expensive, and besides, I've seen what they've done to my mother. I have been on pain-med's since 2k, due to a back surgery. One month after going back to work, "BAM" I popped it out of place.

If I lived around you, I'd be happy to give you a hand. I just helped a buddy of mine install 5 replacement windows, a bay window, and a new front door with side lites. That s.o.b weighed a ton. Any how, I hope your able to get it all done, and I agree with you on the time change sh*t, it suck's.

When I previously mentioned installing gussets, I was referring to the top corners where you are not attached to the other building. This is just to keep it from racking out of place. Good luck.

Kodiak450 · November 3, 2008

We got it all finished today, I'll take pics tomorrow as I did not have any time today. This pen is soooo much better! Nothing can get in and chickens can't escape out. Wait till you see the difference between this one and the last pos pen. I took the old pvc pipes that were once the structure and placed them through the corners for bird perches, there is like 6 of them in the new pen now. The door i made came out real good, regular size door with hinges and latch, and I double side screened it in, it opens and closes flawlessly. My first door I ever made too! I don't even think I need to use the 18" barbed stakes, but I will. I was also thinking of hooking up my invisiline dog fence to the pens wire and if a Raccon or other predator comes by and it will get a jolt, but then again so would anyone!

I have to reapir the phone wire that powers the camera, it snapped when the limb came down. I have a camera inside hen house, this way I can see them and their food and stuff in my media room. all while sitting on the recliner.

I am in a ton of pain from all this work, I need a good rest. My back cannot tolerate long hours of working. My neck feels as if it was buring. Yes I do take Oxycotins, 40mg 3x's a day. My tolerance is very high to pain meds cause I've been on them for so long. If anyone took one of my pills, it would knock them out because of the strenght of them, since I've been on them for so many years I've built up a tolerance, so I rarely get a euphoria buzz off of them. One time when my sister was here, she secretly took one of them, thinking it was a percocet 15mg which I used to take, anyway she had to be ambulanced to the hospital 1 am, cause she wouldn't wake up. Now when anyone comes over, I keep them hidden, most of the times they are on me. I get 90 pills a month and have this little pill container that is on my key chain that can hold around 50 pills.

If I didn't take them, I couldn't function because of the chronic pain. I can't even ride motorcycles for long because helmet really hurts my neck, and having no back support and stiff seat even though I had a custom seat done with memory foam on my KLR, it still limits me too how far I can ride before the pain comes. Now my ATV is like a caddy, cause of the IRS and I can ride until the cows come home, over rocks, and huge bumps and it won't bother my back or neck, ofcoarse I don;t wear my helmet either so thats most likely why.

mbrannon · November 3, 2008

Glad you got your coop built.. Hate to read about your back. I had Micro LumbarDisectomy in 2005 from a 2003 water sking incident... I fell on my ass on the boat dock carrying a water ski and a cold beer. I made 8 beautiful slalom turns and dropped off never to water ski again, they had to pull me into the boat. I did the pain med race.... Just before the surgery I was on Ultracet for the 3rd time, I was bounced every 15 days between Hyrdocodon and Ultracet. Going up in mm and dosage each switch. Just before the surgery, Non of the medicine made a difference. Never was I on Oxy. I've always heard Oxy was really addictive.. My surgery was 100% successful, however, without hardly any disc left between L4 & L5 I do not lift heavy objects. Period... Had to change my line of work...Went from Electrician to Electrical Engineer....Agravates the crap out of me when I need something fixed at work and I can't just go and do it.