Ok, condo might be a stretch. We took delivery of a 100′ high tunnel which we decided to hold off on constructing until spring. With winter closing in, we needed somewhere else to put our flock of 14 birds. After our month long rainy season, we needed something quick. We ran into a simple 12′ hoop house someone built in Maine. They kindly made the materials list and step by step instructions available for free. We modified it a bit to better handle our winters but overall it is the same hoop house.
The primary supplies for the hoop house are 2×6’s, 2×4’s, 2×2’s, 2×1’s, 10′ grey electrical schedule 40 PVC pipes, and 6 mil greenhouse plastic. We picked up a big jug of 3″ exterior screws, PVC cement, duct tape, and PVC clamps/brackets. It’s not perfect but it met our expectations. It is certainly more than enough for a winter chicken retreat and a spring sprout house for our seedlings. We’re not builders so you should be able to create something as good if not better without too much effort.
AK Hoop House Beginning to End
We chose an area at the end our our experiment garden to put the hoop house. We want the garden and the chickens integrated. They free range and are already used to this area as their turf.
We will let you know how it holds up to our Alaskan winters. All in all a simple easy to build hoop house. If you have been thinking about one, this might give you some ideas.
Be well & green dreams!
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