But at the same time this depends where you live. For example, I live out in a very rural community, where we have coyotes, wolves, bears, cougars, weasles, Hawks, eagles, racoons, possums, dogs, cats, snakes, and skunks. So for me personally they are probably not the best idea, but as far as using them for bachelor pens and broody pens, and brooders, they are great! As long as you paint them they last pretty long!