Easy Structure

 

This is my basic plan for the structures I use around the property. This structure is easy to build, affordable and can be finished to suit your needs.

 

Covered in shade cloth, it becomes a shade house, covered in aviary mesh or chicken wire, it becomes a vermin and predator proof enclosure for your flock, covered in fruit fly netting you could grow dwarf fruit trees and tomatoes. Covered in clear plastic it becomes a poly tunnel.

 

You can make it as big or as small as you like and the entire structure can be erected in a day by a novice. For this article I have included materials enough for a structure 10m by 4m.

 

Materials Needed.

 

12 x 2.4 meter star pickets.

Approximately 35m of 2 inch black poly pipe.

6 x 6m aluminium ceiling batons.

20 screws, around 5cm.

Cable ties

Wire for sewing

Covering material – (Shade cloth, netting ect) You will need to calculate how much you need and remember that you will probably need to sew your cover together using wire.

 

Equipment.

 

A drill – Best to have a drill that you can use on the site so one with a rechargeable battery or you will need a generator.

A mallet or post driver to knock your star pickets in.

Measuring tape     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your star pickets need to be knocked into the ground 40cm (which will leave 2 meters for your walls). The start pickets are placed 2 meters apart in 2 rows, 4 meters apart. (see figure 1)

 

Cut your poly pipe into lengths of approximately 6m (this will depend on the desired height of the ceiling and check first!) Each length of poly pipe is then pushed over the star pickets, between the two rows, to form an arch.

 

Attach the ceiling batons to the poly pipe using the screws. You will need 2 ceiling batons for each length which gives them a good overlap in the middle. I run one length of ceiling baton down the centre, of the poly pipe arches and another either side.

 

For the cover, measure out the appropriate amount of material required, keeping in mind a decent overhang and also any material that needs to be buried beneath the ground. For a poultry enclosure you would need to bury the mesh at least 50cm deep to stop dingos and foxes.

 

Most materials will come in rolls and you will need to calculate how much you require based upon the size of the roll. The larger the roll, the less sewing is required. Try to order shade cloth in 3 m rolls and wire mesh in 1.5 meter rolls if you can get it. Commercial suppliers may have larger sizes.

 

Either way, you will need a cover of at least 10m by 10m, not including the overhang, seems and areas that need to be buried. It is always easier to cut your chosen fabric to size and then sew it together on the ground. I use good thick wire to sew with. Sewing is a simple matter of threaing the wire through and pulling it tight. Make sure any joins in the wire are secure.

 

It is relatively simple to hoist the cover over the structure but you will need a few hands. Once in place the cover can be attached using cable ties and/or wire to the structure. (See figure 2)

 

This still leaves the ends open. You may wish to leave the ends open (for a shade tunnel for example) or you may wish to close them off for a complete enclosure.

 

It is a relatively simple process to stretch shade cloth over the ends and secure in place with sewing. A simple “Flap” style door with a good overlap will be sufficient to keep bugs out. If you are using this design for a chicken coop and your wire is heavier then you may need an extra star picket for support.

 

A simple door frame can be made from timber for an access to the pen and secured into position at the end of the structure. I would also recommend cementing the timber posts used for the door frame into the ground for extra stability. (See figure 3) I used for my duck enclosure a prefab shed which became both access door and night house. The design ideas are endless.