Metal Dog playpen for temporary “stalls”

[LoveOfFeathers]

Has anyone tried using something similar for an existin coop to make temporary pens? Obviously I would cover with netting so they would stay in. Would be used for pairs and breeding trios of bantams. I could use an existing wall to make stalls bigger. Opinions? Price is about $25-$30 per playpen. Height of panel is 24”. Pen is closed by metal clips. Looks like it can be stored easily when not in use.

 

[NatJ]

Has anyone tried using something similar for an existin coop to make temporary pens? Obviously I would cover with netting so they would stay in. Would be used for pairs and breeding trios of bantams. I could use an existing wall to make stalls bigger. Opinions? Price is about $25-$30 per playpen. Height of panel is 24”. Pen is closed by metal clips. Looks like it can be stored easily when not in use.

I have not personally tried it.

For containing chickens, that pen plus netting on top would probably work fine. If you put it on uneven ground, they may go underneath, especially if they start dustbathing and make a hole right by the edge. I think it does look large enough for a small breeding group of bantams.

For protecting them from predators or bad weather, it would probably not work well at all. So I would only try to use it inside an area that is predator-proof and sheltered from the weather, such as inside a large coop (that appears to be what you have in mind, so the warning is mostly for other people who may read the thread and want to try something similar.)

 

[HeritageFan]

I use a 36” tall version of a pen like that all the time.
- Supervised outside times for babies (although I do add hardware cloth to the lower part of the panels when using for the littles, because they can squeeze through the bars)
I cover the top w cardboard to keep the turkeys from flying out, and to provide some shade when using to get them outside time. Set a board over the cardboard so it doesn’t blow away and it makes the frequent moving much more easy (plus you can slide the cardboard over when you are putting the kiddos out, and slide it back so they don’t escape as you work)
- quarantine/ recovery pens inside runs with a dog crate for overnighting if someone needs to be separated for whatever reason, but isn’t sick enough, or hurt badly enough, that they need to come inside.
- setting up a temporary pen (also with a safe spot for the night. For a larger group, I also have a small “dog run” that is 6’ wide x 4’ deep x 5’ tall that is chain link - but I added hardware cloth down low and it has wire over the top. I can cover w a tarp if it is rainy or windy)

Those “pens” are very useful, and yes, are very easy to fold up and tuck away.

But I highly recommend that you get one that is 36” high at minimum, because then you can wire in a roost (which your Bantys will appreciate) and they won’t hit the top while coming on and off the roost...
Full disclosure- I’m 6’2” and can step over a 36” tall pen.
The ability to step in and out to get food, water, and any cleaning necessary taken care of is probably the most important factor.
ESP if you are thinking of using them for temporary breeding pens.

But also consider what you plan to use as a “top” and how easy it will be to get in to clean and take care of the “kids” as you decide what your best plan should be.
I wouldn’t want to have to crawl into a 24” tall pen to get the water, feed, and grit taken care of, and cleaning/ adding more bedding would be a pain.

....maybe you could just use some sort of a clip, like this, to attach at least half of the top so you can easily unclip the snaps over at least part of the “pen” to clean?
.....just brainstorming. I’m all about creative solutions

 

[townchicks]

Those are useful for so many things with chickens but I'm not sure I would want to use them long term, just because they are a pain to clean out when there are chickens inside. I find they are great for separating convalescent chickens inside a run, and introductions,and keeping the girls out of my garden.

 

[LoveOfFeathers]

Thanks for the comments. I might just get a 36” as a just in case I run out of pens.

 

[paintedChix]

I use them as chick tractors for our babies & grow outs. This year, I will be putting them on actual skids, making the Coop portion taller to accommodate a roost. I also started putting 1/4" HC on the individual panels. No more chicken wire. Could also use 1/2" HC

I decided to put whole tractor gallery, rather than individual pics. I learned that that the sheet worked great, but needed wire under it. Now, I will also be building a frame w/ HC. Hinged tops so can raise to do water, feed, catch chicks. Can still do sheets for shade - have about a dozen large garbage bags full stored in our shop. Donated to our vet clinic and were ones they couldn't use, so I gladly took them rather than putting in dumpster...

Chicken Tractors

The covers on the rabbit cages are loomed hay string (from our pony's round bales of hay) done on the Boye red plastic loom from Wal-mart. I used to have time to do that. Haven't done it in a long time. Most of that hay string has disintegrated & needs to be replaced.