I love figuring out stuff & building it. I've done some amazing architecture when I couldn't sleep. (Haven't built all of it, yet.) I have a mild graph paper addiction, too.Well waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back asleep a couple nights ago paid off. I got to thinking about what I could use for a temporary yet secure chicken/duck pen and I came up with an idea that should work. So today I took apart the dog pen that had doubled as a chicken pen for the past few years. I stopped using it last winter when the snow was higher than the top of the pen. My biggest issue with it was that the top was open due to its size. And the hoop coop that it was attached to was just too low to the ground. So today I made an 8x16 ft pen. I took three extra panels and put them over the top making a, hopefully, secure roof. I covered part of it with a tarp to provide shade and block rain. Plus there is a giant plastic dog kennel in there for extra shelter. Only major drawback is that the pen is only 4 ft high. But I was finally able to put the youngsters that had been in the basement brooder outside which was the goal. And other than my time the whole thing did not cost me a penny.
I also thought of how to build a more permanent coop with human sized height while I was not sleeping. That one will cost a bit but the coop is already 3/4 built. I just need to attach a pen and add a bit of plywood to make the coop more weather proof.
Wire a lamp, you say? Hmmm... DH has wired every building we own!! He'll be SO excited when he hears about this!!
NICE HAUL, LG!!! I'm still looking for more room for my girls. I might even be getting the portable paddock wanted, if DS makes good on my birthday gift.
Well waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back asleep a couple nights ago paid off. I got to thinking about what I could use for a temporary yet secure chicken/duck pen and I came up with an idea that should work. So today I took apart the dog pen that had doubled as a chicken pen for the past few years. I stopped using it last winter when the snow was higher than the top of the pen. My biggest issue with it was that the top was open due to its size. And the hoop coop that it was attached to was just too low to the ground. So today I made an 8x16 ft pen. I took three extra panels and put them over the top making a, hopefully, secure roof. I covered part of it with a tarp to provide shade and block rain. Plus there is a giant plastic dog kennel in there for extra shelter. Only major drawback is that the pen is only 4 ft high. But I was finally able to put the youngsters that had been in the basement brooder outside which was the goal. And other than my time the whole thing did not cost me a penny.
Tnic, welcome! Don't worry about Helens. I heard the owner say he hopes to rebuild & be up & running by next summer. It'll just be a little wait for you. Maybe the one in Ellsworth could "tie" you over?
