Chicken Pen

[IT Farmer]

Just wanted to share some pictures of the Chicken Pen I built towards the end of 2020. I built this over the course of 3 weekends. Not the fanciest thing in the world by no means but I am happy with it and have no doubt that it should get the job done. Also, I live in Central Alabama and we very rarely (if ever) see snow here so snow loads on roofs in my area is not an issue. The pen is approximately 33ft wide X 66.5ft long which is approximately 2,195 sq. ft. The covered portion of the pen is approximately 33ft X 17ft. The sides are wrapped in 1" chicken wire and the roof is covered in 6 100ft rolls of 2x4 fencing. We used J-clips to clip all the 2x4 fence together so it is basically just one huge piece. It will house between 10 -15 chickens. I still have more things I will be doing to it in the near future such as adding roost, swings, nest boxes, etc.

 

[Aunt Tat]

Just wanted to share some pictures of the Chicken Pen I built towards the end of 2020. I built this over the course of 3 weekends. Not the fanciest thing in the world by no means but I am happy with it and have no doubt that it should get the job done. Also, I live in Central Alabama and we very rarely (if ever) see snow here so snow loads on roofs in my area is not an issue. The pen is approximately 33ft wide X 66.5ft long which is approximately 2,195 sq. ft. The covered portion of the pen is approximately 33ft X 17ft. The sides are wrapped in 1" chicken wire and the roof is covered in 6 100ft rolls of 2x4 fencing. We used J-clips to clip all the 2x4 fence together so it is basically just one huge piece. It will house between 10 -15 chickens. I still have more things I will be doing to it in the near future such as adding roost, swings, nest boxes, etc.

Looks like poultry paradise!

 

[3KillerBs]

Wow! Spacious, airy, chicken heaven.

One thing though -- many predators can tear right through chicken wire. Do you have electric backup to prevent that?

 

[rhart5344]

Your birds will have plenty of room for sure! Great job. I personally have stopped using "Chicken Wire". It does not last anymore. I have had some pins rust out in a couple of years. I have gone to hardwire fencing. Just giving you a heads up. Being you have a lot invested. It may help painting your chicken wire.

 

[IT Farmer]

Wow! Spacious, airy, chicken heaven.

One thing though -- many predators can tear right through chicken wire. Do you have electric backup to prevent that?

I have heard other people saying that before. I personally have never experienced a predator tearing through it. I have been raising chickens and quail for around 7ish years. Do you mind me asking what predators in particular can tear through it. I am fortunate to not have bears or mountain lions in my area. That's the only thing I can think of that could actually break it.

 

[IT Farmer]

Your birds will have plenty of room for sure! Great job. I personally have stopped using "Chicken Wire". It does not last anymore. I have had some pins rust out in a couple of years. I have gone to hardwire fencing. Just giving you a heads up. Being you have a lot invested. It may help painting your chicken wire.

Your birds will have plenty of room for sure! Great job. I personally have stopped using "Chicken Wire". It does not last anymore. I have had some pins rust out in a couple of years. I have gone to hardwire fencing. Just giving you a heads up. Being you have a lot invested. It may help painting your chicken wire.

Thanks. And yes I agree. Chicken wire is definitely not made to last a lifetime. I will eventually replace it with something better when the time comes. Originally I was going to wrap it in 2X4 fencing as well but somehow I messed my math up and ended up using all 6 rolls I purchased on the roof alone. The bill just kept getting higher and higher so I decided to just grab some chicken wire for the sides for the time being.

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you mind me asking what predators in particular can tear through it

With my in-town coop I had what was either a raccoon or a dog *almost* get through half-inch hardware cloth one night. If I'd had chicken wire I would have lost the flock.

Raccoons are ridiculously strong.

 

[Sally PB]

Raccoons are ridiculously strong

And clever and sneaky and hungry and tenacious. And, for some reason, too smart to go into the trap I set!

 

[Matejka]

Beautiful coop and run!! Its awesome!! I see many happy birds living the life of luxury!
When you say chicken wire-this is what I think of

It is not strong enough. It holds chickens in-but not predators out.

https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/coops/chicken-fences/

I prefer hardware cloth 1x2 inch (my grandpa called it chicken wire)

Hope this helps

 

[rhart5344]

Thanks. And yes I agree. Chicken wire is definitely not made to last a lifetime. I will eventually replace it with something better when the time comes. Originally I was going to wrap it in 2X4 fencing as well but somehow I messed my math up and ended up using all 6 rolls I purchased on the roof alone. The bill just kept getting higher and higher so I decided to just grab some chicken wire for the sides for the time being.

I understand about the price. I just bought a 4x8 1/4 sheet of plywood for $32.00 !! Two dollars shy of premium 3/4 birch plywood last year!