We started by laying a
4ft x 8ft sheet of plywood on the ground, measuring and positioning the
2"x2" pine lumber on it, then marking the plywood as a template.
We cut all the lumber, preassembled all the roosts and attached the hinges
before installing them. When assembling the 2x2 lumber, make sure
the "smooth" corners of the ripped lumber are always UP, to keep from injuring
the birds feet. Here Beavis
and Butthead are inspecting our work. (Turkeys at top of photo) |
Drilling two 3/16" pilot
holes at each lumber intersection (through TOP 2x2 only) makes for a strong
connection and keeps the screws from splitting the lumber. Once Justine
drilled the holes, I used #8 x 3" long power drive screws to assemble the
roosts. Again, position the "ripped" edge of the 2x2 DOWN to keep from
injuring the birds' feet with sharp edges or splinters. |
Roost dimensions: The three
vertical pieces are 5ft long, cut at 45 degrees at the top end (see photo
at right). The three horizontals are 92" long. We purchased
standard 92 inch 2x4 pine studs and ripped them into 2x2's on the table
saw. The two end verticals are 18 inches in from the end of the horizontals,
and the center one is in the middle. The horizontal roosts themselves
are 18" apart. |
We used 3 inch "T" hinges
at the top of each of the three uprights. Notice the 45 degree cut
to keep the 2x2 from hitting the plywood behind the roosts. The hinges
permit the roosts to be folded up for pen cleaning or litter changing.
A hook & eye fastener is then mounted on the center vertical 2x2 of
the roost and on the middle 2x4 on the pen wall to hold the roost in the
raised position for pen cleaning. |
The first roost is now
mounted in the pen. |
All the roosts are assembled
and positioned in front of the pen they will be installed in. |
| Helpful tip! - Fellas,
make sure your wives understand you absolutely MUST have TWO
DeWalt Cordless drills to complete this project!! You need one
with a drill bit mounted in it and one with a #2 phillips screwdriver bit.
We have three DeWalt 12v cordless drills with extra batteries and wouldn't
give them up for anything. By the way, Justine positioned the lumber
on the template and drilled the pilot holes and I came along behind her
and installed the screws and mounted the hinges. While I carried
the completed roost to it's pen, Justine laid out the lumber for the next
one. |
You also absolutely must
have a good table saw equipped with a carbide tipped "rip" blade to rip
the lumber! Tell your wife Pete says you MUST have one! See
our Workshop for
photos of our tools.
It took about an hour to
rip the 2x4s required for the eight roosts, 2 more hours to assemble them
all, and about 30 minutes to install them. 3½ hours total.
The next page deals with
construction of our nest boxes for inside the pens. |
Barn
Pen Construction - Page 5
