Portable urban play yard

[bungalow10]

We have a small flock of five chicks, still just a few days old. They will have a coop and run outside that is permanent, but I'd also like something cheap, easy, and portable so we can move them around with us in the summer. This would be mostly supervised time (me or DH gardening or playing with the kids). No overnights or anything like that.

I was wondering if something like

this would work? It's only 26" tall, not sure if that's not tall enough?

Our goal is to get them time to range near the gardens, under the fruit trees, and around various areas of the yard (good shade on hot days, sun on cool days).

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Daphne16]

that is my brooder right now and what you are suggesting is my plan for later. I have chickenwire over 1/2 and a plywood over the other 1/2.

 

[Captain Carrot]

you'd save yourself $50 if you just let them out to free range. You said that they'd be supervised, so you'd be able to keep an eye out for them. If you have some battens around the place you could make up something like this http://www.acoombs.co.uk/proddetail...GiftID={1E717CDC-FE20-45AB-93B8-004EDDDD4510} it's a run for rabbits. It's made up of 6 panels which are hinged to keep them together, but also allows it to be folded up for storage.

On that site it's 100 pounds, but I'm sure if you built it yourself you could cut that price in half.

EDIT: Typos

 

[bungalow10]

Quote:
I'd like to let them free range, but I'm worried about their safety. We have two little kids and a LOT of neighbor kids (including two that are very poorly behaved). Its easier to keep an eye on my chickens and keep them safe if the kids are just plain not allowed to reach into the pen. That also keeps them safe from wandering in the driveway where a child could accidentally hit them with a trike or scooter. I also don't want the chickens to ever act out of fear and try to peck someone... they'd get a bad rap pretty fast.

Maybe I'll play it by ear.

 

[suzyQlou]

I like the idea. 26" sounds tall enough for the chickens. You will need a roof.

My chicks are outside during the day now in a little chicken run. Based on that experience, I would add one suggestion for you: a hiding place. Without a real coop (yeah, I'm working on it

) , they were a little nervous. They are much happier now that I put their old rubbermaid brooder tub on its side inside the run. It gives them a place to hide, rest, and find shelter from the wind/sun when they are outside.

 

[ams4776]

Im making my own outdoor moveable coop with pcv pipes and chicken wire. Will be cheap and able to take it down for winter. I also dont want to free range...not cuz of kids but my property is next to a huge field with tall grass and turkey vultures are always circling.

 

[Daphne16]

the only reason I am using one is I have it already. If I didn't I would do https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=43104-chicken-tractor-forager

 

[bungalow10]

Quote:
That's a really interesting idea. I'll have to see what I can scrounge up for PVC and chicken wire.... I think chicken wire is pretty cheap, right?

 

[bungalow10]

Quote:
Oh my gosh, that is genius!

The best part... we already do something similar for our raised garden beds! I will show this to DH tonight.

 

[Spartan]

If I could find one cheap (read free) I would be very keen for young birds time outside