I built a new pen this weekend, the big chicks have moved out

[FloorCandy]

I built a new pen/ grow out pen this weekend. I had wanted to make a large walk in pen, 10x10ft. However, we are looking to buy acreage in Pa and move this year, and it would be hard to transport a large pen.

so I wanted to make something cheap and sturdy, that I can tie to my roof rack and drive down the highway for 4 hours haha. My crappy prefab from amazon definitely won’t be moving I’m afraid to lean on it to get an egg.

Here are some pics, I put the big chicks (the teens) into it yesterday and they’re so happy. It’s been raining every day for about 2 weeks, so the grass is long enough for them to hide, it’s very cute.

I only put one door opening because making doors is annoying and it’s just a grow out for now, so there won’t really be eggs to gather. If I decide to use it full time, I’ll probably add doors on the sides too.

I have to add a patio block apron around it still, but it’s basically done.

I had been browsing CL because I want to sell my next batch of chicks, so I wanted to see what others were selling and asking. I saw an ad for quail and hand made quail cages. When I looked, the cages were $100 for 2x4ft hardware cloth all zip tied together into a rectangular cube, with cookie cooling sheets as doors! I went crazy at the sight of the doors and cursed myself for not thinking of it first haha. They used 1 sheet as a door on top with a block of wood holding it closed, the whole thing probably cost them $30 to make, and I thought, I can do way better lol. I wanted the pvc frame for support, and I overlapped the top sheets halfway each so that they would be stronger, it easily supports an excited frenchie leaping on top haha.

Anyway, it cost about $70 over all, and is 6x4 ft. I’m very pleased with the outcome.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Creative temporary solution!

 

[Nabiki]

Nice. I may have to look at more pvc pipe solutions for temp pens.

 

[FloorCandy]

Nice. I may have to look at more pvc pipe solutions for temp pens.

It’s amazing how far your money goes with hardware cloth, pvc, and cookie racks. I know they say pvc doesn’t last as long as wood, but for the price and ease, I can make one every spring and still come out ahead of what I spent on the prefab kit. I spent more than the cost of this pen just reinforcing the prefab garbage.

 

[MDBird]

That is an awesome build!! Although it would take extra parts and tools I wonder if cage clips and one of the rabbit closures would work and allow you to kind of lock it.
Im assuming the bottom is open which is what let's the birds hide in the grass and the paver apron would help keep predators out

 

[FloorCandy]

That is an awesome build!! Although it would take extra parts and tools I wonder if cage clips and one of the rabbit closures would work and allow you to kind of lock it.
Im assuming the bottom is open which is what let's the birds hide in the grass and the paver apron would help keep predators out

Thanks! I didn’t put doors on the sides, but if I decide to use it for adults I will add them. I have a spring clasp clip holding the top doors closed, with a bag of sand holding it down so mice can’t climb up and in. My only predators are stray cats, and TONS of hawks, like 3 nests this year with at least 3 babies each all flying now! The apron keeps cat paws out, and mice out. However, with as many hawks around, the rodent population is naturally controlled somewhat haha. During the day, the cats stay out of my yard , idk about at night, my dog marks the place pretty well tho lol, but no need to chance it.

I find the best door lock for a side door is a patio or cinder block against a door that opens out. My other doors on the other pens have latches, but they also have (depending on door height) a patio block or cinder block in front of the door, to be certain it stays closed. I rarely use side doors with quail anyway, it’s not like they free range, or even try to go out an open door, but it’s nice to have for cleaning and maintaining things. I don’t have to move the cinderblock often, and when I do... free worms underneath!