Trellises for the Peafowl Coop

September 6, 2016

There are many end-of-summer projects underway at the farm.

As you know, I recently constructed a new coop for my peafowl. My three peahens and two peacocks are doing exceptionally well - and so are their peachicks, which I hatched in a special incubator in my kitchen a couple months ago.

Last week, we installed several antique trellises to the back of the new coop - they make such a lovely addition to the finished structure. Trellises allow gardens to expand vertically, and can provide support for many favorite classic climbers. Here are some photos.

: I found these antique trellises at an antiques show in East Hampton, New York – in a booth from Andrew Spindler Antiques. I knew they would look perfect hung on the back of the new peafowl coop. http://www.spindlerantiques.com

: There are five trellises in all – four rectangular trellises measuring about five and a half feet long, and one shorter, more square shaped trellis measuring about three-feet.

: The smallest trellis would be hung in the center, and then two taller trellises would be positioned on each side.

: I wanted each trellis mounted to the wall using spacers. This allows for enough room in between the wall and the trellis for air circulation and climbing vines. The tools needed include long bolt screws, washers, square wooden bases, and copper pipe couplings.

: Pete pre-drilled holes into the corners of each trellis.

: He then carefully positions the trellis on the wall. The center trellis is hung first and will serves as the guide for all the others.

: Pete threads the four-inch bolt screws through the washer, trellis, copper piping, and wooden base.

: Next, it is secured to the exterior wall. Each trellis is hung about eight-feet high. I wanted everything well-centered in proportion to the wall.

: Using a ratchet, Pete tightens each bolt into the wall.

: The first corner is up and secured. The trellises are painted in the original antique white. They look so nice against the Bedford Gray color of the peafowl coop.

: Pete attaches the two upper corners first, and then the lower corners.

: After every corner is attached, Pete checks that it is perfectly level.

: Pete then tackles the bottom corners, threading all the pieces in the same order.

: The lower corner is secured.

: The copper adds such a nice detail. These spacers provide about three-inches in between the wall and the trellis.

: The last corner is secured and tightened.

: Each corner is attached – the entire process doesn’t take long at all.

: Finally, the trellis is checked for level one more time.

: Here is the first trellis up – it looks perfect. Four more to go!

: Because the peahens have been raised here at the farm, they’re all accustomed to the various noises – they are very curious animals.

: I love the diamond-shaped pattern on each trellis.

: And, the fine details at the top of each piece are so pretty. Trellises come in an array of different styles, sizes and shapes. They can also be made of wood or metal.