Chicken playpen

[fiddlebanshee]

Here is my playpen for 14 3 week old chicks:

dimensions approximately 5'x5'x2' high
made out of 3/4 pvc pipe, elbows and T-s and 1/2" hwc fastened with zipties. It took me about an hour to put together. Getting the hwc to cooperate was the hardest part.

I put a tarp over it so that I could block out the wind which was blowing kinda hard and cold today, but there is ample sunshide so it's quite warm in there.

Nothing is glued atm so I can break it down if I want to. It's movable by lifting it but I am contemplating adding wheels.

 

[PatQ]

How do you transport them back and forth from brooder to playpen? I have 5 who happily jump from brooder into a transport box or jump into my arms to be carried outside, but the other 2 are totally traumatized every time single time I move them. I end up having to chase and catch them and I feel so bad scaring them like that. Do you have any hints?

 

[fiddlebanshee]

No, it's playing catch me if you dare every time. But I've only done it two times so I hope eventually they'll get used to it.

 

[PatQ]

I've been doing it for over a week and the 2 frightened ones have never gotten used to it - if fact they get more scared each time because they know what's coming. The second they are actually in the little outdoor run they are as happy as can be, but the capture and transport is freaking those 2 out.

 

[aart]

I am building this to keep the girls out of my gardens this summer. It is easier than putting fencing around all of my veggie and flower beds. It still needs chicken wire and a little something on top for shade. It has a place to hide if something spooks them, and the wheels are lawn mower wheels so they should last. It is light enough to move around by myself too.

It will only be used for a couple of hours a day since I keep them safe in their coop and run when I cannot be there to keep an eye on them. That is why I'm using chicken wire instead of the pricey hardware cloth.

I can easily get them in and out of there with a plate of treats. They will follow me to the ends of the earth as long as I have treats!

How about an update pic? Did this design function well for your plans?

 

[coolcanoechic]

I actually stopped using it and attached it temporarily to my coop and run. The chickens lost interest in following me with the plate of treats, so now they go into it through a little door in the run part of my coop. I tried to attach a picture, but it doesn't seem to be working right now.