CREATING A SUN & SHADE HOOP HOUSE

TOOL LIST

Cordless Drill/Screwdriver
1” Butterfly Bit
Staple Gun w/6-8mm Staples
Saw, a circular saw or “chop” saw is recommended
Grinding stone or bit for smoothing edges of PVC pipe
Scissors or utility knife
Measuring Tape
A second pair of hands…not necessary but makes the job so much easier.

MATERIALS LIST FOR A 6X4 UNIT

(2) 4X4’s…6’ long
(2) 2X4’s…4’ long
(2) 1”x2” Fir Strips…6’long
(4) PVC Pipes; 1/2” I/D…(8’ lengths)
(1) PVC Pipe; 3/4 I/D…1’ needed; will be used to create clamps
3” Screws & 1.5” Screws…handfuls of each size
Metal or Plastic Washers with holes small enough that screw heads will not go through
6 MIL Plastic Sheeting…10’ width and 12’ length
Duct Tape (of course!)

All of the materials are available at any of the larger home improvement stores

DIRECTIONS

Layout cut 4x4’s and 2x4’s to form a rectangle.

Come in 1” from the ends of both 4x4’s and center the butterfly bit. Drill a hole clear through the 4x4’s. This is where the
PVC pipe will be installed to create the arches that hold the plastic up. Come in 23.5” from each of the end holes to drill the other holes..

Join the 4x4’s and 2x4’s with the 3” screws (you can also reinforce the joints with “L” brackets).

Insert a cut to length section of PVC pipe into the first holes on each 4x4, creating an arch. Using the 1.5” or 3” screws, secure the pipe into place within the hole. You will screw right through the side of the 4x4, into the hole you created with the butterfly bit and then right through the PVC pipe. This will keep the PVC pipe in place. If you are placing the hoop house up to a critter house, you will need to measure the top of the house opening and be sure to cut the PVC arches long enough that the critter house door will be covered.

Continue the previous step until all of the drilled holes have sections of PVC pipes secured in them.

Measure and cut the plastic sheeting. We allow approximately 18” of excess at the end which will butt up to the piggy houses. As for the end of the cold frame that will serve as the end opposite the house, I find that it is best to allow enough excess that the center can touch the 2x4. Remember, it is better to have too much plastic and be able to trim it, than to have too little!

Position the plastic sheeting over the cold frame “skeleton”. Center the plastic sheeting width wise.

Place a 1”X2” fir strip at the side edge of the plastic sheeting. Staple the plastic on top of the 2” side of the strip in several locations to secure it. Now turn the strip so that the plastic sheeting wraps around it. I prefer to turn it under so that there is no seam in the plastic to collect water and debris. Continue turning the strip and plastic sheeting until the fir strip can be secured on the 4x4. Secure the strip onto the 4x4 with the 1.5” screw and washers. The washers will help hold the plastic without causing the plastic to tear at the screw head. Use 4 or more screws/washer to secure the strip. Repeat this entire step for the other side! When you finish, the plastic sheeting should be snug and taut but not so tight on the PVC that it may tear.

To create clamps for securing the plastic sheeting to the PVC skeleton: Cut the larger diameter PVC pipe into 3” to 4” sections and then cut a 1/3 section out length wise. Grind the edges so as not to cut the plastic sheeting when installing these pieces over the plastic sheeting.

Thinking of the tops of each of the end arches as 12:00, place 6” pieces of duct tape at 10:00 and 2:00. The duct tape will act as reinforcement for the plastic when installing the PVC clamps. Wiggle and apply pressure to “snap” the PVC clamps onto the duct taped locations. If you cannot get the “clamps” on to the arches, try using a bit of dish detergent to make the surfaces a bit slippery.

Congratulations…you have completed your cold frame! Your critters will enjoy it!

NOTES

 You can create a smaller or larger hoop house just by changing the lengths of the materials used. It all depends on the size of your critters.

 In the summer months, change the plastic sheeting out for shade cloth that you can purchase at any large home improvement store.

 Hoop houses are suitable and recommended for all critters that spend time outside. Pot Bellied Pigs, dogs, cats, bunnies, ferrets, chickens will all love
spending time in a warm or shady hoop house!

 I like to add straw for the “floor” of the hoop house because it’s warm in the winter and always soft for the critters to lie on.


Please feel free to email me with any questions, suggestions or photos of the hoop house you built and your critters enjoying it!

Yvonne M. McIntosh (The Pig Lady)
Pot Bellied Pig Specialist
yvonnem@bestfriends.org

Andrew P. Ireland
Horse Dept. Maintenance Coordinator