Im building an aquaponic hoophouse

[spuds]

Today 128 dollars...

Post-hole digger and post/pipe level

pressure treated lumber....2- 2x4 x 8 feet,2- 2x6 x 10 feet,3- 2x6 x 12 feet.

8 connecting metal Brackets.12 pack of stakes.

[muebe]

Looks like it is coming along nicely!

[spuds]

Got the trex removed from the top on sides and replaced with pressure treated 2x6.
Tomorrow will cut and fill in bottom with trex along the ground.
Got the sides staked,and all the stakes cut to level.



Photos at 8 PM,can see my official chicken and duck corral has some sleepy birdies ready to go to bed

[spuds]

Base is finally done,look to the left and right and can see trex now on the ground.You can see by the backfill the left to right slope,and the front to back slope.

Next I will put up 4x4's for the door and to support the Ridgepole.Will probably dig the holes tomorrow and think about it,I want at least 40 inches on the opening so I can get the IBC Totes that will be the fishponds in.Need to think out what I will do on the doorway.

Left side


Right side,thats a shadow,no gaps between boards




So what I learned is PROOF there is a Heaven and Hell.In Hell they make you build greenhouse bases.The worse you are,the more slope you get.

Also you dont need to waterboard suspects.Just put them on 1000 acres of slope.Make them build greenhouses,they will crack in a week.

[spuds]

I wont be working on it for a couple days but this is whats coming next to give you a basic idea....

[spuds]

Got some more done today.Got all the pipes pounded in that the hoops will attach to.Woke up feeling a little sore but it worked right out,so went to work.Being careful to pace myself,joints arent what they used to be,being careful.Ordered 5 inch carriage bolts,nuts and washers.1 lb 4 inch deck screws,all stainless steel,47 dollars online

[SmokinKat]

Good work, Spuds!!    And smart move going slow and steady-- does you no good to throw something out of whack and get laid up for way longer than the time you saved by hurrying!

That is going to be impressive as heck when it's all done! You've done a LOT so far!

[spuds]

Thanks Kat. Do you have butchering pics?

[SmokinKat]

I did get some, I just need to sort through them and do a little write up.   Cameraman James bailed on me again, so I'm not sure how well the pictures turned out, since I was balancing trying to get the butchering DONE, and avoiding ruining my camera with bloody hands.     I'll let you know when I get the tutorial done! 

[spuds]

I did get some, I just need to sort through them and do a little write up.   Cameraman James bailed on me again, so I'm not sure how well the pictures turned out, since I was balancing trying to get the butchering DONE, and avoiding ruining my camera with bloody hands.     I'll let you know when I get the tutorial done!

[spuds]

Pipes,cement,screws,4x4 treated...94 dollars.

[spuds]

Filled the hoop pipes with cement and screwed them into boards,added the connections.

[catinatree]

Impressive ! something to consider here ....

[pz]

Though my favorite chicken of all time was a Leghorn the raccoons got,she was the skinniest thing,super lover sweet as can be....not your typical leghorn by a long shot ,and an egg laying workhorse,a fine fine animal indeed.Gee I miss that bird.

Years ago we also raised chickens and one night we heard a commotion coming from the hen house. Problem here is that you never know if you'll encounter a coon or a cougar, so out I went with a trusty S/W M29. Fortunately it was only a coon in the rafters, and a single round eliminated that problem only to be replaced by another - fixing the roof.

Great project, Spuds; I'd love to build something like that but it's way too cold here

[spuds]

Yes,you do get pretty cold.I have about 45 days below 32F at most,not much will be going on in winter but will get a huge jump in spring and fall.

Hope to have some covered beds with Christmas tree incandescent bulbs in winter,about 45 watts per bed I figure,will have to see.

I HATE Raccoons,domestic terrorists! We have a bunch too.