I have my inside the barn enclosure ready, but I may not have my outdoor pen done as soon as I'd like. I'm thinking I may use one of my dog ex-pens as an outdoor yard for the chickens in the meantime. Since the pens are only 30 in high, I will cover it with something (thinking a bedsheet and clothspins - it will only be daytime and while I am home, so predation shouldn't be an issue) to deter them from flying. The pens are 8 panels of 24 inches each that can be arranged however I want. How many birds (mine will be bantams) would be okay in that space and how often should I move it? Also, there are some crabapple trees in the yard. I was thinking that would be a good place - shade, fruit and bugs! Any problems with that idea?
