Step-by-step instructions for creating a pen for walking chickens with your own hands

Construction of a pen for chickens is an important event that ensures the full development of birds. Thanks to the construction of such a structure, it is possible to make bird walking comfortable and safe. The pen allows the chickens to spend a long time in the fresh air and receive adequate nutrition. At the same time, there are different types of similar structures, which allows poultry farmers to choose the best option.

Why do you need an aviary?

This type of fencing allows the birds to have a comfortable walk. Thanks to the construction of this structure, caring for birds is easier. It allows you to achieve the following results:

1. Ensure the safety of birds. The pen protects the chickens from other birds, predators, and rodents.
2. Ensure normal conditions of detention. The aviary provides access to fresh air, which is so important for the normal development of birds.
3. Make bird care easier.
4. Ensure comfortable keeping of chickens.
5. Prevent birds from freely moving around the site, which causes damage to plants or buildings.
6. Decorate the area. A beautiful aviary can become part of a landscape design.

The main advantage of the design is the free range of birds. Thanks to the birds' long stay in the fresh air, their health improves and active development is stimulated. The key disadvantage is the risk of contact with wild animals. This threatens the development of pathologies.

Types of pens

Such structures can have different types. However, they are all divided into 2 main categories - mobile and stationary.

Mobile

Such pens are relevant in warm seasons, as they provide birds with fresh grass to roam. The designs are lightweight and compact in size. They are covered with a net or canopy on top. Thanks to this, birds do not fly over low walls.

There are portable designs that have protruding handles on the sides, or more convenient mobile options on wheels.

Such pens can be easily moved on a flat surface.

Stationary

Such pens are used all year round. They are placed close to the walls of the poultry house.Thanks to this, the birds can go outside on their own. When breeding meat breeds that cannot fly high, the pen can be open. In this case, the fence is made no more than 1.5 meters high.

For other breeds, the height is increased to 2 meters. In this case, it is better to make the pen closed by stretching the net on top. The need for a closed top arises when there is a risk of attack by birds of prey, which are quite capable of dragging away not only chicks, but also adults.

Requirements for quality design

When making a pen, you should focus on the following features:

1. Usually the structure on the south side is fenced with a mesh. It is important that it is quite high.
2. It is worth placing a convenient feeder in the pen. In addition to food, it is advisable to add small pebbles to it.
3. It is important to monitor the condition of the food, since it can quickly deteriorate outside.
4. The size of the pen is chosen taking into account the number of chickens.

High-quality fencing will help protect chickens from predatory animals and other external threats. So that the birds can hide from the rain, it is worth making a canopy.

Preparation for construction

To make a pen with your own hands, you should prepare everything you need. You also need to decide on a location.

Selection of materials and area calculation

When choosing materials, you should focus on the type of structure. For portable pens, lighter items are used. The frame is made of wooden blocks or PVC pipes.

A stationary pen should be quite strong and durable. That's why it is made from metal pipes. Steel corners are used as jumpers. Bars can also be used.

However, they are pre-treated with impregnation against rotting. Otherwise, the racks will have to be changed quickly.

It is worth giving preference to galvanized mesh with small cells.It is not recommended to use cheap material as it will not last long. After the first rain, rust will appear on the mesh. After a few seasons it will have to be thrown away.

A good option would be a polymer mesh. However, it is permissible to use it only if there are no martens or rats on the site that can damage the plastic.

It is recommended to calculate the area depending on the number of birds. The larger the pen, the better. In crowded conditions, chickens begin to get sick more often, their productivity decreases, and there is a danger of fights.

For 1 medium-sized adult chicken, 1 full square meter of space is required. This means that 10 chickens will require a pen of at least 10 square meters. At the same time, the shape of the site can be different - it all depends on the organization of space on the site.

Selecting a location

A stationary pen needs the correct location. It is important that the birds get into it immediately from the poultry house. It is best to organize an enclosure on the south side. The wall that faces north should be made solid. It is made of slate or corrugated board.

You should not place a chicken coop with an aviary in a lowland. In this case, water will accumulate in it. High humidity negatively affects the condition of the poultry house and can provoke various diseases in chickens. It is important that the chicken coop window faces south. It should not be in the shade.

There must be grass on the walking area. It should be borne in mind that it cannot be too high. Otherwise, the vegetation will block the sun's rays. It is recommended to build a pen in a secluded place. The constant presence of people negatively affects the productivity of birds.

How to make a pen for chickens with your own hands?

It is quite possible to make an aviary yourself. At the same time, there are several options for manufacturing such structures.

Construction of a portable pen

To build a mobile pen, you should do the following:

1. Make a side wall from 3 boards measuring 24.38 centimeters and 3 boards measuring 16.26 centimeters. The second wall is made according to the same principle.
2. Trim the ends of short boards. The angle should be 60 degrees on top and 40 degrees on the bottom.
3. Pull the mesh and secure it with a stapler.
4. Connect the side walls in the shape of a house and secure it on top with self-tapping screws. From below they are fixed on 2 crossbars. Cut the ends at an angle of 30 degrees.
5. Attach spacers in the center of the frame in increments of 3.37 centimeters. Cut their ends at an angle of 30 degrees.
6. Cover the top with plywood.
7. Cover the ends with mesh and stuff wooden strips on top.

Construction of a stationary open range from a chain-link mesh

To do this you should do the following:

1. Make markings for the corner posts.
2. Determine the location of the gate. Its width should be 80-100 centimeters.
3. Make marks between the corner posts at a distance of 2 meters. They are required for intermediate posts.
4. Use a hand drill to mark a hole 50 centimeters deep. Their diameter should be slightly larger than the size of the pipes.
5. Cut the pipes to the required length and insert into the recesses. Pour in stones and sand and fill with concrete. Leave for 3 days.
6. Weld metal hooks to the pipes on the outside.
7. Nail a wooden block measuring 50x50 millimeters to the wall of the shed or secure the wire with self-tapping screws.
8. Secure the edge of the mesh with nails or binding wire. Then pull it between the posts.

How to make a permanent indoor pen

To build such a structure, do the following:

1. Make markings for mounting corner support beams. Intermediate racks are installed at intervals of 2 meters.
2. Dig a hole 1 meter in size and 36-41 centimeters in diameter in accordance with the markings.
3. Cut the pipes into 8 fragments measuring 2.8 meters and 2 elements measuring 80 centimeters.
4. Place in prepared recesses, cover with stones and sand, and then fill with concrete. Leave for 3 days.
5. To make the frame more durable, attach a profile measuring 2x4 centimeters to the wall.
6. Make a canopy. To do this, weld the top belt from a pipe measuring 4.2x4.3 centimeters. The lower belt is made from a pipe 4.2x2.4 centimeters.
7. Place the mesh on the frame and secure it with knitting wire.
8. Make hinges in the doorway post. They are fixed by welding. Then attach the gate and mark the fastening areas.
9. Hang the gate, screw on the upper parts of the hinges.
10. Attach the valve to the other post.

After completing the construction of the pen, it is worth starting to arrange the space inside the fence. To do this, they install ladders, stands for nests, and poles.

Features of aviary care

Caring for a portable poultry house without a floor involves monitoring the safety of the structure. It should not contain traumatic areas or openings into which chickens or other animals could fall.

It is recommended to systematically clean stationary pens with foundations from food debris and droppings. It is recommended to periodically disinfect structures.

Experienced farmers lay a bedding of sand and sawdust on the floor. It is recommended to change it on time.

Are there any differences in the designs of poultry houses for 30 or a hundred or more laying hens?

Such poultry houses differ only in size. If keeping 6-7 birds requires at least 1 square meter of space, then for 100 birds you will need at least 16 square meters.

A properly built and equipped chicken pen has many advantages. It provides free range for birds. Thanks to this, birds have the opportunity to grow and develop normally. Fresh air and good nutrition help increase the egg production of chickens and protect them from diseases.