*My completed coop and run!* plus moveable run question...

Date sort Score sort
kiwiegg

kiwiegg

Songster
10 Years
Jul 7, 2009
184
6
111
Minnesota
Hi everyone! Thanks to all the peeps on BYC who have helped me along the way. I started this coop last month and girls moved in this week. I am going to put some dirt/grass seed around hardware cloth apron. I am thinking of dicontinuing spraying chemical fertilizer and week killer this year because of my new chix family. I could not believe how much the girls loved some fresh clover I put in the run this morning. It got me thinking about figuring out a system to move them securely around the yard on days I choose so they can enjoy some fresh grass/weeds/clover etc. I was thinking that I could connect the kids playpen sections that we dont use any more (we have around 12) cover with some wire on top and (gently) slide it to a good foraging spot. Could this work? Thanks for any ideas! I won't be able to free range the gals as we have quite a few dogs in the area that are walked off leashes...and a fox that I saw a couple of weeks ago- in the daytime.

 
Last edited:
Beautiful job!
thumbsup.gif


And the playpen sections will work out great for a mobile pen so they can eat up the clover and bugs.

I use playpens, dog crates, x-pens, and I also built a pen out of some pvc piping we had laying around.





 
Yeah, my pvc pen is NOT predator proof.
I only use it when I'm near by (usually working in the garden).
I've never lost any chicks but I would never leave chicks unattended in a pen that is not predator proof.
Also, remember to provide shade inside their pen. I usually place my pens near the trees and move it around as necessary.
smile.png
 
I had a similar idea, but how do you get them from the run into the pen and vice versa? I just imagine one hen in the pen and the others scattered all over the yard.
 
GarageChickens said:
I had a similar idea, but how do you get them from the run into the pen and vice versa? I just imagine one hen in the pen and the others scattered all over the yard.
Click to expand...

Amazingly I just posted this same answer to another thread about portable pens....My chickens come running if I have yogurt or a treat. It would be easy to get them in if yours were trained to come for treats. If you put them in the portable pen an hour or so before dusk they will go right back to the coop for the night once you let them out, right?
 
Thanks! I thought the answer might be bribing them with treats, but wanted to make sure. My pullets are at six weeks now and are starting to really figure out my acts of bribery. It works with my dog, so why not chickens?
 
GarageChickens said:
Thanks! I thought the answer might be bribing them with treats, but wanted to make sure. My pullets are at six weeks now and are starting to really figure out my acts of bribery. It works with my dog, so why not chickens?
Click to expand...

Mine will come running from wherever they are if they see me in the yard. I must give them more treats than I realize.
D.gif
 
Thanks for the ideas! Yes, I will only be ptting them in a pen when I am working in the yard/can see them but I am planning on using treated 2x4's and 2x2's. I plan on using sideways 2x4's for skids to make it easier to slider around. It will be heavier than pvc but the skids will help - it will provide some good rigidity too. I am going to make a guillotine (sounds awful) type plywood trap door at the end of the pen. I built my run door to swing in so I will push the pen to the run door, swing the open run door, open pen door to let them in. I plan on putting some leftover landscape fabric over one section to provide some shade. I may get this thing built today and will post pics!
 

Similar threads

Lapwom
Run extension & stopping free range
Replies
1
Views
447
rosemarythyme
rosemarythyme
C
    • Like
    • Love
Sharing our DIY coop and run
Replies
9
Views
647
aart
aart
MrsNorthie
Gravel For the Run
2
Replies
13
Views
1K
p4PaDuck
p4PaDuck
SuperC
    • Like
Building my run; what’s the best Sand Method?
Replies
2
Views
2K
SuperC
SuperC
Clmirabilio92
Temporary run
Replies
3
Views
478
rosemarythyme
rosemarythyme

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom