Hoping to turn a huge unused dog pen into chicken coop, maybe??

[jetdog]

Are you going to put hardware cloth around the bottom? I would be horrified to go in and find a copperhead laying around.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

It's always nice to have free materials! Chicks are so adorable and fun, I'd choose them over full grown hens

 

[Angierob]

Are you going to put hardware cloth around the bottom? I would be horrified to go in and find a copperhead laying around.

Ok I have no idea what hardware cloth is? The pen has 3 foot of wire under it--we did not want our dogs digging out--will that help?

 

[Angierob]

Me an DAD

wire over the top

top I can lift to clean and bottom drops down as well-will dump it in small pool to use as ferilizer

recycled the tray that held the barrel and put roost bars on it

Entrance that also can be locked I still need to clean out the box at the end but a hinge has been put on it as well to get the eggs out without much disturbance. Its coming along....

 

[jetdog]

It might depending on how big the holes are, I'm just scared to death of snakes. Figured I ask.

 

[Angierob]

It might depending on how big the holes are, I'm just scared to death of snakes. Figured I ask.

I dont have any use for snakes either---Im going to clean the leaves all around the outside and clear it--snakes usually dont want to come out into the open so it's a matter of cleaning a good perimeter --I think..I have and awesome Cat and 2 awesome dogs--so we shall see. I'm not putting my chicks out there until they are a little older so I got time to figure it out and keep reading and asking

 

[rkendrick]

This pen is awesome. I wish I was a chicken! I use our old dog kennel for ducklings and goslings. Had trouble with a big black snake but hubby fixed that. No details but we did put hardware cloth around bottom to be sure. Old dog house with pine and hay. Reinstalled the shade tarp that came with the pen and voila. Repurposed. I didnt clean extensively.

 

[Angierob]

This pen is awesome. I wish I was a chicken! I use our old dog kennel for ducklings and goslings. Had trouble with a big black snake but hubby fixed that. No details but we did put hardware cloth around bottom to be sure. Old dog house with pine and hay. Reinstalled the shade tarp that came with the pen and voila. Repurposed. I didnt clean extensively.

Thank you--my husband says to me today---You should have bought treated not used OSB ---well now you tell me--AFTER I DONE IT>>> I'm gong to paint it and paint it I guess...

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Although snakes are nasty they won't harm full grown chickens (at least they normally aren't a problem). Since you're chicks won't be out there they will certainly be safe. I have my run wrapped in deer netting (small holes), I've only had one snake go after my flock but it got caught in my netting..... It's no longer a issue


You just have to worry about snakes eating your eggs. The worst part for me though is just coming up on one and getting scared.

The snake caught in my netting was right on my walking path but it was dark. If my cat hadn't been there "investigating" I would have walked right on it.

 

[Angierob]

I
I got 3 yellow females they said were about 5 days old and 4 from the mixed unsexed -bantams they said 3 days old. the mixed-- my Mom chose 1 white and 1 striped. Caroline chose 2 stripped but one appears to have an orange or red head. I have no idea if any of them are male or female-- I purchased these Chicks last night. I already had the large container--so they are set up just like they were at the store. I bought the feeder and the water jug ...I opted for a different style feeder than the store was using ( they were using the large one) it's working though cause they are eating out of it. They are also drinking water. I have a thermometer in there as well and the seem happy. They are upstairs--In my husbands office--not heated but it's not freezing up there either..My cat doesn't even know--or maybe he dont care.. Hope I am doing this right!