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Ussery A-frame - any thoughts?

 
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tai haku



Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 472

PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 15 1:43 pm    Post subject: Ussery A-frame - any thoughts? Reply with quote
    

In a few weeks time (in what will be the third real test of my diy skills following putting together the bee hives and laying the nursery floor) I'm planning on knocking together a mobile A-frame chook house in the style of Harvey Ussery as shown here:
https://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Building+a+Pasture+Shelter.html

Goal is to allow expansion of the flock this year and have something big enough to do that on wheels that I can tow around the orchard like a boss. Before I get too far down that road has anyone used this design or anything like it and have anything to offer in terms of design tweaks? I was thinking I'd definitely clad both ends to keep the wind out.

Bodger



Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 15 1:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It looks pretty useful but the one thing that I must say, is that its not remotely fox proof.

tai haku



Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 472

PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 15 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Bodger wrote:
It looks pretty useful but the one thing that I must say, is that its not remotely fox proof.


True enough but...<smug grin>...no foxes on Guernsey!

to be fair we do have the odd rogue dog and feral ferret but I'm hedging my remoteness against those risks.

Bodger



Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 15 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You lucky lucky chap. No problems then, it should be fine but even Guernsey has high winds so get it staked to the ground.

SteveP



Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Posts: 155
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 15 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Two observations.

Are you building a day shelter (as per design) or a coop? The former probably won't need the ends boxed in.

The A frame design is used extensively in the pheasant and partridge rearing game. See for example https://www.holmeparkgamehatcheries.co.uk/hatching_rearing.html .

Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 15 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I like the open coop design.
It's been discussed here before that most poultry housing has little ventilation & IMHO causes a lot of respiratory problems.
In their natural environment chickens roost in trees & nest on the ground, all completely open to the elements.
They might eat a little more corn in the winter but I bet they live longer healthier lives.
One drawback with the design is rodent invasion. I've a house with an earth floor that I have to keep permanently baited. Even one moved daily would probably get the odd visitor.

tai haku



Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 472

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 15 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks all. I want to use it as a coop and I'd like to leave the ends or an end open as the plan shows but am worried it'd be too exposed on our current site (pretty windy). I'm considering whether I can leave it meshed and build an end plate that can be bolted on in bad weather/taken off when not absolutely needed.

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