Making a larger hoop coop?

[AnitaBheer]

I am building my first coop and enclosed run. I want to do a hoop style run with cattle panels (the actual coop is a 8x12 shed). But instead of a long skinny run, has anyone welded cattle panels together on the short end and made a wider hoop house? If you take two 16ft panels, overlap by a foot on the short end and weld it, then hoop it, you could effectively get a run that is 19 ft wide at the bottom and 9.5 ft tall in the center of the arch. Then just make it as long as you want with more welded sections of panel. I'd make a wooden frame at the bottom to support it, and drive in rebar stakes for additional support at the ground. I would put a heavy tarp over it for shade and shelter from wild birds, and put hardware cloth on the open bottom half and a ground skirt. I'd also make a wooden "end cap" to support the end not attached to the coop. Would this actually work? Or would it not be sturdy enough to support itself? What about snow (northern MI here)? Thanks!

 

[StinkyAcres]

Snow will definitely cause it to collapse if you don't add extra support in the form of beams and posts.

 

[21hens-incharge]

They are galvanised. I am not sure how well they would weld and welding would create spots that would rust.

 

[Sunshine_Amy]

My understanding is that snow will collapse that style. I know it’s not what you asked, but you may be interested in what I did for a run. Welded EMT pipe at 15’ lengths made the roof, attached to 5’ high walls of 2x4s. Footprint is 10x18’. Got an old storm door off Craigslist and free storm windows for the front block winds in winter up to 5’. Upper portion is open, particularly in front, for needed ventilation. Ditto the coop, which is unusual (a slightly taller Suscovitz tractor mounted onto a platform) and has worked very well for us. 3 years old and is holding up perfectly. Bungies hold on the tarp so it doesn’t flap around at all.

 

[AnitaBheer]

My understanding is that snow will collapse that style. I know it’s not what you asked, but you may be interested in what I did for a run. Welded EMT pipe at 15’ lengths made the roof, attached to 5’ high walls of 2x4s. Footprint is 10x18’. Got an old storm door off Craigslist and free storm windows for the front block winds in winter up to 5’. Upper portion is open, particularly in front, for needed ventilation. Ditto the coop, which is unusual (a slightly taller Suscovitz tractor mounted onto a platform) and has worked very well for us. 3 years old and is holding up perfectly. Bungies hold on the tarp so it doesn’t flap around at all.

nice setup I already re-designed my first idea and purchased supplies for internal support. But I do like your design too. I'll keep it in mind if mine doesn't work out. For mine, I'm going to put 4x4 posts on top of 2x6 boards for a top support "spine". Instead of welding, we'll try cable clamps. I had the cattle panels already, so I wanted to use that if we could, but not as smaller hoop houses. We do get some snow in winter, but I'm putting it under large pines that shield a lot of snow already in that area so here's hoping.

May I ask what tarp you have though? We will need a decent tarp that withstands winter and wind. Thanks

 

[Sunshine_Amy]

sounds like you have a plan; best wishes. The tarp I ordered is this one:
Heavy Duty White Poly Tarp 18' x... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D41CKLD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share