I want to build a movable pen

[coolcanoechic]

The girls get to go out and free range for a couple of hours a day, but are destroying my garden beds. That is fine for now, but when the gardens go in, the girls need to stay out. I am planning to build a movable pen to keep them contained until the gardens are finished in the fall.
I'm thinking of a wood frame with hardware cloth, but would like to see what others have come up with and get some ideas. I only have two birds right now and may get one or two more in the near future. How big should I make the square footage for, let's say 4 hens for a couple of hours a day.
Thanks so much!

 

[FireTigeris]

http://www.petco.com/product/108191/WARE-Deluxe-Pop-Up-Playpen.aspx

I used this for my rabbits for a couple hours a day. (with the bottom in)

that was on the inside of my fence.

It was on sale then but its a good pattern to use for up to four hens.

Build it out of pvc painted some color. and hardware cloth at 1/4 inch.

Or just find that one is on sale somewhere if you have no dog problems.

 

[omartorres]

look at mine i built it with 1/2in by 2in studs its very light and portable,http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/2/23/2327cf75_Chickenbreedingpen.jpeg

 

[coolcanoechic]

That's sort of what I had in mind. My thoughts have been vague on exactly what I wanted to make because I still have time to come up with something. I never gave thought yet as to doors for it. Like I said, just vague ideas right now, but everyones pictures will help me develop something I can surely use.

One thing I want to do is keep the bottom open so they can dig, scratch, and eat grass to their heart's content, but I want to move it around to keep them supplied with the greens they crave. I would like to make it as large as possible too, because they are locked up in a coop and small run for most of the day. Chickens need exercise too

 

[FireTigeris]

That ware pen has a removable bottom and top via zipper and velcro.

 

[loanwizard]

An 8x10 framed from 1x2's bottomless with chickenwire stapled to it (if not worried about predators) is more than adequate. Heavy enough that the wind won't blow them away, yet light enough for a dainty lady to move.

 

[chezpoulet]

I made an 8x8 tractor/pen out of PVC pipes that is bottomless and covered on four sides and the top with plastic fencing. My yard is large but unfenced in a subdivision, and I did not want the chickens wandering out of bounds. It is not predator proof, and the chickens are in there only when we are home. I've used it for nearly a year now, and it works well.

 

[coolcanoechic]

So far, I am liking all of these ideas. Please keep them coming. When I get to building it, I'll post it.
This is sort of like when I built my coop. I must have looked at the entire coop section over a hundred times before coming up with my final decision about the coop and run.....then I found this forum and really learned a lot. I appreciate everyones imput! It's fantastic to have found such a wonderful and helpful group of people. I love this site!

 

[Jaxon4141]

As you can see there are some very inventive people here. Here's another mobile system for you to consider.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...eeded-one-long-and-picture-heavy#post_8521974

 

[chezpoulet]

I made an 8x8 tractor/pen out of PVC pipes that is bottomless and covered on four sides and the top with plastic fencing. My yard is large but unfenced in a subdivision, and I did not want the chickens wandering out of bounds. It is not predator proof, and the chickens are in there only when we are home. I've used it for nearly a year now, and it works well.

Adding a picture. Technology glitch earlier so could not post pic.