Since we still have a few weeks here in Michigan before we start thawing, I'll have to wait to refurbish the old coop. Until then, my feathered monkeys have temporary quarters in an unused doghouse (our current dog is a spoiled house brat), and a scrounged pallet from a farm implement store to use as a pen.
The pallet is approximately 3 x 6 x 3 feet in dimension. As you can see, it's covered along the sides with chicken wire (which also runs along the roof). The tarp keeps out most of the inclement weather.
The garage blocks off the West winds, while straw bales and a advertising banner block the winds that come out of the North and East. I have solar lights (a 3 x 4 LED net on the pen roof as well as walkway lights) to give my Silkie chicks some comfort (they're used to sleeping with a light on). The board is an additional gate that attaches to the front of the house. It helps bolster the ramp/door of the entrance from predators.
This is from the outside of the pen looking in. That's my youngest Silkie roo, Dash, standing in the entrance. He's about 9 weeks old. He's joined by Turk, the other Silkie roo (11 weeks old) and my newly acquired Cuckoo Polish Bantam pullet, Zuuhl (pronounced Zool, 7 months). They seem to like their new home, even though the chicks don't stay outside very long (still a little too cold for them).
The pallet is approximately 3 x 6 x 3 feet in dimension. As you can see, it's covered along the sides with chicken wire (which also runs along the roof). The tarp keeps out most of the inclement weather.
The garage blocks off the West winds, while straw bales and a advertising banner block the winds that come out of the North and East. I have solar lights (a 3 x 4 LED net on the pen roof as well as walkway lights) to give my Silkie chicks some comfort (they're used to sleeping with a light on). The board is an additional gate that attaches to the front of the house. It helps bolster the ramp/door of the entrance from predators.
This is from the outside of the pen looking in. That's my youngest Silkie roo, Dash, standing in the entrance. He's about 9 weeks old. He's joined by Turk, the other Silkie roo (11 weeks old) and my newly acquired Cuckoo Polish Bantam pullet, Zuuhl (pronounced Zool, 7 months). They seem to like their new home, even though the chicks don't stay outside very long (still a little too cold for them).
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