Help me choose an x pen please!

[cluckmecoop7]

Hello fellow chicken lovers!

I have been wanting an x pen for my chickens for awhile now. I want to be able to let them on fresh green grass but still have them somewhat protected. And I also don't want them to stray into the woods. What do you think of this pen? Is it tall enough to keep them in?

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-wire-dog-exercise-pen-step/dp/125048#

- Jessa

 

[LadiesAndJane]

If you have day time predators, this pen will offer no protection, even if you cover it. Just an FYI.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Yeah, I know. But thanks. So....would this be worth it at all?

I use something similar for my brooder chicks (though with smaller spaces between the wire) when they are ready to go outside for the first time, though I never leave them unattended. If you are planning to leave your chickens outside in this pen, you are better off getting or building a movable tractor. I built mine for about $100, you can probaby do it cheaper. I have to use hardware cloth on EVERYTHING, as we have mongoose (daytime predators) that can both dig, climb and reach into anything bigger than 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch hardware cloth. Mine is 6 feet long x 4 feet wide x 3 feet tall. Works well.

 

[KimKat33]

I have the 36inch one and my chicks were flying out around 7 weeks of age. I just ended up tarping the top. I have hens that will hop up on top of the 6 foot fencing I have. If you're determined on the pen, then I would get a top for it. Whether it be a tarp or you buy the actual fitting top.

 

[casportpony]

Is it tall enough to keep them in?

Depends on the age, size, and breed.

 

[RojoMarz]

We also have one. Used it for containing the young pullets, while they were still living in the house. Once they started getting out, I decided it was time to put them into the coop. I have also used the x-pen for a quarantine space. I used a large cardboard box as a top. Most recently, when I got new pullets, I opened it all the way up (to make a line), and used it to separate some of the run, made a great divider for the see but no touch integration.

X-pen's definitely have their uses and are somewhat easy to store away. I have not used it in the yard, but think a cover of some type would be needed. I see them on Craig's List and the thrift store fairly regularly. Might could save some money by buying used.

 

[MissMonty]

For adults I wouldn't bother with this. Too small and its not going to protect them really anyways. Have you thought about electric poultry fencing?

 

[Pghelp]

For years we used deconstructed dog pens to create a long run off a small commercial coop. We have hawks so a protected roof was a must. I think we ended up using 4 or 5 discarded dog crates all wired together. It gave our girls a protected exercise area until we could build a proper covered run. If you have a Buy Nothing or Freecycle group in your area someone is always getting rid of old dog crates. Those are a better bet and easier to cover than a round pen, in my opinion.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

Have you considered electric poultry netting?

I've got Premier 1's 48" net with a solar charger and am quite pleased with it.

It's no protection from aerial predators, but great for ground-based predators. It's easy to move/reconfigure and the ladies mostly stay in (Chipotle, the California White, can fly out and back in when she wants to).