Affordable, Effective Breeding Pens

[Mtnboomer]

That's what I always wonder about, those pens are pretty small if birds don't 'get along'.

Yep. Definitely need to keep an eye on them or check back with them. Don't lock em up and walk away. Any signs of over aggression it won't work. Ideally, they should be wide enough for the bird to extend its wings. 4x6 has worked well in the past for my family.

 

[aart]

Yep. Definitely need to keep an eye on them or check back with them. Don't lock em up and walk away. Any signs of over aggression it won't work. Ideally, they should be wide enough for the bird to extend its wings. 4x6 has worked well in the past for my family.

Maybe these smaller ones are to isolate cocks, and/or isolate hens both to clear them and/or to collect hatching eggs after planned matings?...and/or for broody enclosures.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Maybe these smaller ones are to isolate cocks, and/or isolate hens both to clear them and/or to collect hatching eggs after planned matings?...and/or for broody enclosures.

Can be use for that certainly. Or sick bird quarantine. But they can be for breeding too. My grandmother used to say "make him work for her affection." The 6x4 pens they used gave her a little room to "run" (escape) until she was ready.

 

[BrittonShowBirds]

I specialize in bantams so these smaller pens are a great size for trios for breeding (10 sq ft). I use the 4x4 pens for largefowl pens and trios as I rarely free range birds as we raise exhibition fowl I don't want mixed or to stray too far. my next project is to build a portable run I can move from pen to pen for the birds.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I’m extremely pushed for space and I’m unable to make anymore coops or breeding pens. If I had the space/time I’d definitely make these, I’ve seen quite a few other exhibitioners make permanent versions of these.

Since I can’t have permanent versions, I just buy in extra large dog crates that are approx 4ft x 4ft, line them with plastic sheeting and I house breeding trios in them or sometimes just a breeding pair. They don’t stay in these permanently though and I’ve never ran into issues with introducing birds into them.

 

[Chickenman1994]

Those look great this is one I built today out of some old fence and some 2x4 I had laying around it’s 4x6 built it for a larger brood box and breeding pen.

 

[R.J.]

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Last year I came up with an idea for some large fowl breeding pens that were based off of one simple divider design, today I decided to try a 3 hole version on the same concept and worked really well. I think I am going to attempt a couple options for one stall pens off of this design and gauge interest in each of the 3 options of 1,2, and 3 hole designs and see if I can sell some in my area. All in all I am in under $160 on the 3 stall bantam pens so I feel there is good margin and good value to myself as well.

I started a pen today, bought all my materials and it came out to $289. I was so shocked. Mine is a single 8L×4Wx6H with tin roof and the 14 Guage rolled welded wire.

 

[RebekahTN]

I specialize in bantams so these smaller pens are a great size for trios for breeding (10 sq ft). I use the 4x4 pens for largefowl pens and trios as I rarely free range birds as we raise exhibition fowl I don't want mixed or to stray too far. my next project is to build a portable run I can move from pen to pen for the birds.

Do you have a picture of your setup? I am looking at building breeding pens to separate breeds so I don't get barnyard mix of babies. I like the idea of having a bigger run and was trying to decide how to do that. A portable run that can be moved could be a good option... or even a tractor that they take turns sharing for more room, if you don't have the room for everyone to have their own.
What I was thinking might work is to have a set up like the original poster shared with 3 or 4 pens with a pair or trio in each and then have maybe dog pen type panels or any fencing really... that you could put a larger run that encloses the front of all the pens and goes out 10 or 20 feet (so maybe 1 dog panel out from the pens, 2 across and 1 back to the other side and the breeder pens would make the 4th "wall". I would then let one group out at a time to "free range" in the bigger fenced in area. They could take turns either each day, or a few hours each every day depending on if you are home or not during the day. This would give them a bit more room and have a place they can go when cleaning out their area.
I know from a breeders standpoint on a large scale, several small pens or larger pen with only 1 rooster is more cost effective and it works just fine, but I personally don't like them having such a small area (even if it is adequate).
My seramas are in a small pen separate from the other chickens and ducks and I feel so bad for them, although they seem perfectly happy. I have my showgirls in a tractor with 1 rooster, but I'm not sure how many more tractors would work.

 

[R.J.]

I started a pen today, bought all my materials and it came out to $289. I was so shocked. Mine is a single 8L×4Wx6H with tin roof and the 14 Guage rolled welded wire.

I started a pen today, bought all my materials and it came out to $289. I was so shocked. Mine is a single 8L×4Wx6H with tin roof and the 14 Guage rolled welded wire.