American Gamefowl

I however do not move my birds every week. I find cleaning the pens out and adding whatever bedding you like to work just as good, I use straw. They wear more grass out by walking 10 to 1 than they ever eat. Gives ya extra handling time anyhow and I've never had health issues not a one.
 
Thanks, SOHC. Looks like you tie them to blocks and each other. I may have to do that. I am hoping 1 piece of short rebar per pen will work. I am thinking of going to 4x4 for the movable instead of 4x6 because with 2x6 bases they are gonna feel heavy I think.
 
Need ya'll's opinion from experience. Wind can be an issue here, like about everywhere. I like to move my dome pens a lot, and at the same time am kinda lazy about staking them down. My experience is that my 4x6 domes with 2x4 bases and a full tarp cover can really sail.

1. Can I significantly REDUCE the wind effect by using 2x6s on a 4x4 or 4x6 dome AND by covering only half the pen? Will put shingle underlayment only over roost area this time.

2. No wind flipping issues with the 8x8 hoophouse I built with a 2x4 base and cattle panels, and it is 6' tall. Would a 6x6x6 dome be less likely to flip too because of its wider base? Do I need to use 2x6s for the base or are 2x4s okay? I am thinking of that size and height so I can walk in. Crawling is getting to be an issue at my age!

3. If I do stake, is one piece of rebar generally enough? It's not just lazy to ask this cuz I have major rock issues. I am talking exposed shale. I'd use 2-4 rebar if I seldom moved the pens but I like to drag them to a new spot every 1-4 days.

4. I know for a 4x4 dome 4' tall I need to cut a 10' piece of wire for the top/sides. Does anybody know the length to cut for a pen 6x6x6? Should I use conduit too because I am building with 12.5 gauge welded wire but going high?

Thanks for any help!
I built 6x6x5'6" high pens and cover them with silt fence over the tops for shade and to keep them out of the weather. I just put a 8" block in the middle on both sides to stop the them from blowing over. I will try to get pictures today after work
 
The only thing I would say about the pens is they don’t need to flip for a bird to get out. Just lift up a tiny bit and some roosters are out and going at it. However it’s done if they’re gonna get staked I’d make sure they’re staked tight where they can’t lift up at all.
I use 2 ft wooden stakes and then deck screw them to the base of the pen. My ground is soft though.
I generally don’t keep them staked all the time but I do watch the weather pretty close. Usually anything over 30 mph gusts and I’ll make sure they’re staked unless I’m gonna be home.
 
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idk if my measurement will help with the different style pens, but if it will I can check
 
Hillbilly, those are nice pens! I would appreciate knowing the length of the main side and top piece. Did you make the top less rounded to better shed snow?
All 4 sides are 6' so 36 rectangles on the 2x4 welded wire. I just cut the 4 corners and connect 2 opposing sides with J clamps, then fold the other two side and connect with J clamps. We dont get many snows here but it helps with the rain run off
 
Forgive the interruption to the actual game fowl talk, I soak it all in and enjoy reading it every bit of it...

But someone must keep the sh$ty music part of this thread going ;)

 
Forgive the interruption to the actual game fowl talk, I soak it all in and enjoy reading it every bit of it...

But someone must keep the sh$ty music part of this thread going ;)

:lau:lau
Sheesh that was so boring you put my dog to sleep.
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