Extreme budget, suggestions needed

[kidsnchicks]

We have a small coop and a run, in this we have 10 hens,1 roo,and 2 ducks. It is all attached to the back and south side of the garage. On the North side closer to the front of the garage we have a dog kennel. The kennel is extremely overgrown with weeds, I was thinking what better way to have a duel purpose thing than to have the chickens take care of that job for me. They will love it and the weeds will be gone! Now, my budget minded question is, what can I put over the top to keep everyone where they need to be? I have recently become a single parent and am trying to keep the budget as low as possable so I don't have to get rid of any of the kids critters. It doesn't have to be extremely prediter proof as it is basically just outside the back of the house and I will only have them in there during the day when we are home. AndI need to rig up a way for them to get over there or I will be toteing them to it 2 by 2 lol, but I will if I need to.

Also, do ducks and chickens like pumpkin plants? We had a volunteer plant grow up the kennel fence and it does have pumpkins growing on it, its starting to die off, we can pick the pumpkins, they are just the smaller decerative ones any way, just checking to see if it will be an issue.

Thank you for any suggestions

 

[lynxs1981]

If there's nothing in there they can jump on and get out, just clip their wings. That will keep them grounded for a good while.

 

[joemwm]

bird netting for gardens its light,cheap plastic netting will keep out and in birds $14 for 14'x25'

 

[dsqard]

I had the same problem with my birds. They would fly out of the pen (6'X6' dog run panels). I got a tarp at Home Depot and used bungee cords to hold it in place. Pretty inexpensive (although I do suggest going with the thicker plastic tarp if it gets windy where you live so you don't have to go buy another tarp after the first windy day) and pretty easy to set up. The only problem will be in the winter. With the weight of snow on top of it, I am not sure how well it will hold up.

 

[Chickenaddict]

Deer netting. I got a 7ft wide by 100ft roll at lowes for $12

As for the tarps in winter what I did was pushed the snow off from inside the run with a broom to keep it from sagging and tearing.

 

[kidsnchicks]

Thanks guys! They wont be in there over the winter, just to help with weed control and give them a fresh space to "hunt" in, lol. Some neighbor kids ruined out trampoline so I was thinking of useing that over part of it, plus that helps with the shade element and then I will check out someof the cheap fencing optiond for the rest of it.