Coop & run ideas for bantam chicks?

[warmheart]

I'm looking for ideas for a temporary coop and run set-up for 6 bantam chicks, once they feather out and the weather is nice. Priorities are: Afforable and predator-proof! Smaller is better, as this is temporary-- some of the hatch will be placed into loving homes, the ones who stay, will enjoy the big coop to sleep in at night with our standard-sized birds.

What have you used in such a situation for bantams? Did you buy a small coop... or try to adapt and predator-proof a clean rabbit hutch, dog crate, compost bin, dog house, etc.? Did you build something yourself? Did you manage to afford an Eglu? Thanks for any ideas!

 

[rapunzel162]

The farm stores here, have rabbit cages, that you can pull the try out, and it has a wire bottom.You can birdnet,the sides, and top, and use zip ties to attach the netting. You can move it all over the yard. Also If Im outside, you can use a netted real baby playpen,upside down. I wouldnt leave them in there at night though. Only while your watching. You can also ziptie a small tarp to the top of the rabbit cage so they have shade. And be sure they of course have food and water. I used the rabbit cage for YEARS to let babies peck at the grass and bugs. It worked great. So does the upsidedown playpen.

 

[warmheart]

Thanks for the ideas! Zipties, I hadn't thought of that, to fasten hardware cloth or something sturdy to block predators? Hmm.. interesting! Thank you so much for the suggestions!

 

[tiny1985]

Hardware cloth trumps chicken wire every time IMHO

 

[warmheart]

You're right. We were just looking at rolls of hardware cloth at Lowe's. Best stuff ever!