Chicken run: types, purpose and manufacturing

A pen is a convenient structure for walking chickens, which can be made by hand. To do this, you need to choose the right materials and place, make the necessary calculations. You will learn more about the types of pens and what is needed to build each of them while reading this article.

appointment

The pen is a spacious enclosure where the chickens can move freely during their walk. It provides normal air circulation and access for poultry to fresh grass, which is an indispensable source of vitamins in the diet.

Other features include:

1. Protection. The walls of the pen are mostly made of mesh, which protects the birds from predators. It also prevents the hens from going beyond their designated area, protecting the garden plants from them.
2. Freedom. Birds should not be kept in closed cages or coops for long periods of time; they need to move, breathe fresh air and receive an optimal dose of vitamin D to stay healthy.
3. Quality. Eggs from hens that can walk in the fresh air contain many more nutrients.
   Cost-effectiveness. Reduces the cost of feed for chickens.

Design Requirements

There are 2 main requirements that a pen must meet:

• Height. Chickens do not fly, but their wingspan is still enough to jump over a not very high fence. Therefore, you need to ensure that the height is at least 1,8 m for broilers and 2 m for regular domestic chickens. It is better for the pen to be slightly higher than the norm, and not lower. If it is not possible to ensure the optimal height, it is better to make an enclosure closed with a net on top.
• Feeder. In the pen, the chickens can freely eat plants, bugs and worms, but you still need to take care of installing a feeder with regular feed so that the diet is enriched with all the useful substances. It is better to pour a little gravel into the feeder, combined with compound feed or mash. The quality of the feed must be constantly monitored, since it spoils faster in the open air.

Types

There are 2 main types of pens. Their main differences are in their purpose and capacity.

Mobile

The ideal time to use them is during the warm season, when there is a lot of green grass on the site.

The enclosure has the following parameters:

• The size. Mobile pens are generally small and compact so that they can be easily lifted and covered with a strong net on top to hold the birds.
• Portability. These enclosures are equipped with handles or wheels. Wheeled structures are more convenient, as they can be moved by 1 person.
• Equipment. A waterer and a feeder are placed inside the pen. A canopy is placed on the side to protect the birds from the rain.

Benefits of use:

• Mobility. As soon as the hens run out of grass on the plot, the pen can be moved. Due to this, the birds will always be provided with healthy food.
• Simplicity. Typically, it takes less time and materials to build such enclosures.

Negative moments:

• Distance from the nest. In mobile pens, chickens can only walk, but not lay eggs or sleep. Therefore, chicks and adult birds have to be driven back to the hen house in the evening. The solution is to build a small portable hen house equipped with a perch.
• Small size. It is usually difficult to accommodate many chickens in such a pen, because then there will not be enough space for them. And if you make the structure larger, it will become difficult to move.

Stationary

They are used for walking birds throughout the year.

Features:

• Construction. Typically the pen is adjacent to the chicken coop so that the birds can freely enter it.
• Lack of canopy. Birds can hide in the chicken coop at any moment to wait out bad weather there.
• Shading. Part of the pen should be in the shade to protect the chickens from the bright sun rays. You can plant a tree with a lush crown on the site.

Advantages of a stationary enclosure:

• Large area. You can make an enclosure of any size. Usually the construction is made based on the number of chickens.
• Wind protection. On the north side, you can put a wall instead of a net to prevent the chickens from getting sick from strong winds.

Cons:

• Risk of disease. If you make the pen open at the top, wild birds may get into the area. They are carriers of diseases.
• Consumption. It takes more time and materials to build.

How to do it yourself?

The construction of a chicken coop takes place in 2 stages.

Preparatory work

Particular attention should be paid to preparation for construction.

Choice of materials

The choice of means for creating a structure largely depends on its type:

• Mobile. Lightweight materials are needed. Wooden beams measuring 50 x 50 mm will do. PVC pipes can be used, but they will be more expensive.
• Stationary. The main thing is to take care of the strength and long service life of the building. Therefore, it is better to use metal pipes and corners. Wood needs special treatment to protect it from rotting.

The main element of the design is the mesh.

The following requirements are imposed on it:

• Материал. Mostly metal. Birds can get entangled in fabric mesh, which can cause injuries.
• Small holes. Their diagonal size should be no more than 2 cm, otherwise rodents will easily penetrate into the enclosure.

In total, 5 types of mesh are used:

• Wire. It is often used, but it is not reliable enough. Due to its low strength, the mesh is easily gnawed by predators. And chickens can escape through large enough holes. But it is a good option for creating the top cover of the pen, which protects chickens from birds of prey.

• Reinforcement. A very strong mesh that provides good protection. However, it is also very rigid and difficult to work with. The cost is also somewhat higher.

• Galvanized. The mesh has small cells, it is strong and reliable. It does not require special treatment, since the mesh is coated with a coating that protects against oxidation. It is easy to work with and install. The best option.

• Polymer. A good and inexpensive option. But if the area is subject to attack by rodents, they will easily gnaw through it.

• Chain-link fencing. A durable mesh that will last for many years. The disadvantage is that the cells are too large.

Also, to build an open pen you will need:

• a hammer;
• Bulgarian;
• roulette;
• nippers;
• wire;
• hand drill;
• building level;
• concrete solution.

For an enclosure with a canopy:

• wire;
• bolts and nuts;
• polycarbonate;
• welding machine;
• drill;
• thermal washers.

Calculation of area

When calculating, it is necessary to take into account that ideally one chicken requires 2 sq. m. That is, the optimal option would be to build a stationary pen with an area of ​​20 sq. m. for 10 birds. A mobile pen is usually built smaller, but it should still be taken into account that 1 bird will require at least 1 sq. m.

Often, you have to focus on the size of the site. Therefore, before building a pen, it is better to measure the area on which you can place the run. It is better to draw a drawing on which you need to designate the main parts of the enclosure, calculate the width of the canopy and the size of the chicken coop, if it is a stationary pen.

The shape of the enclosure does not matter. It can be built square, rectangular or even triangular, depending on the characteristics of the site.

Site Selection

When building a mobile enclosure, the location does not matter at all, because the structure will be constantly moving. But a stationary enclosure must be installed correctly.

Requirements for the site:

• Dryness. It is necessary to ensure that the place is protected from dampness.
• Ecological compatibility. It is better to place the aviary away from the roadway so that the birds do not breathe in exhaust fumes.
• Combined with a chicken coop. The pen should be located directly in front of the entrance to the chicken coop. But if such a location is impossible, you can place it on the side, behind, or connect the structures with a manhole, while ensuring free access of the birds to the room.
• Privacy. Chickens do not like the presence of people very much, this can negatively affect egg production. Therefore, it is better to place the pen in a quiet and secluded place.
• Heat. If the chicken coop is built correctly, then placing the building on the southern side, closer to the entrance, will help protect the birds from the wind. Otherwise, you need to take care of additional insulation from corrugated sheets or slate sheets.

If the construction of the pen is to take place simultaneously with the construction of the chicken coop, it is better to raise the latter on a small elevation above the enclosure. This is done using wooden supports.

This solution has advantages:

• Space saving. Which is especially important in small areas.
• No need for a canopy. Birds can hide from the sun and bad weather under the chicken coop.

Before construction, the selected location should be carefully prepared:

• remove trash, grass and stones;
• remove the top layer of turf by 10-15 cm;
• fill in holes and depressions to avoid the formation of puddles.

construction

The construction features depend on the type of pen chosen.

Mobile

Let’s consider an example of building a mobile pen in the shape of a pyramid with perches at the top.

Main steps:

• Manufacturing of walls. Take 3 boards, 244 cm long and 3, 163 cm long. Cut the lower ends of the short boards at an angle of 30 degrees, and the upper ones at 60 degrees. Assemble the wall. To do this, place the long boards at the same distance. Fasten the shorter ones at the top, bottom and in the middle. Stretch the mesh between the crossbars and fasten with a stapler. Make the 2nd one in the same way.

• Assembling the structure. Connect the 2 side walls at the top with screws. Install 163 cm cross boards between them at the bottom. Make cuts on the boards at an angle of 30 degrees.

• Installing spacers. Using nails, install 34 cm long spacers between the side walls. Cut the ends at an angle of 30 degrees. They will serve as a perch.

• Plywood sheathing. Take the plywood sheets and fix them to the top of the structure. Nail them with planks at the ridge. Cover everything with a metal mesh from below.

• Strengthening. To make the structure stronger, nail wooden planks on top of the plywood and mesh.

To allow the chickens to climb up to the perch, secure a board with small slats at the bottom of the pen.

Stationary open

Similar instruction:

• Markup. Measure the width of the enclosure you are making on each side. If you have done everything correctly, the distance between each mark and the wall of the chicken coop will match.

• Space for a door. Its width can be 80-100 cm, depending on the build of the owners. The height starts from 99 cm. The space under the door should be separated by 2 supports on which it will be mounted.

• Additional markup. Mark the place around the perimeter where additional posts will be installed to secure the net. Mark every 1-3 m.

• Installation of pipes. To do this, drill a hole at the site of each mark, about 45 cm deep. The diameter is the same as the pipes used. Deepen the pipes of the required length into the ground along the perimeter. They should stand level and be stable. To strengthen the pipes from below, fill them with sand and pour in concrete solution. Leave the solution for 3 days to harden.

• Welding hooks. They are attached to the pipes. 1 at 15 cm above the soil, 1 at 15 cm below the top of the pipe and 1 in the middle.
• Preparing the mesh. Hang a beam on the wall, the edge of the net will be attached to it later. Then, using flexible wire or nails, stretch the net around the entire perimeter of the pen. You should leave space for the door. Hooks are needed to stretch the net. Remember that the posts should remain inside the area, not outside.
• Fastening the gate. The wicket frame is made up of several wooden beams or metal pipes welded together in a rectangular shape. A net is stretched between them. The wicket is secured with hinges.

If the soil is too loose, the bottom of the net should be buried underground to prevent birds from digging a hole underneath and escaping.

To ensure that the net fits more tightly to the ground and that its lower part does not injure the birds, you can install metal or wooden planks at the bottom between the posts.

Stationary with canopy

The rules are as follows:

• Marking the area. Using a measuring tape, make marks at a distance of 50 cm from the wall of the chicken coop, then mark the width of the future pen. There should be a distance of 2 m between the support posts.
• Drilling holes. They should be about 1 m.

• Preparing columns. Those supports that will be located closer to the wall should be higher than the roof, others – 50 cm lower than them, so that there is a possibility of normal outflow of rainwater. Make holes in the columns for fasteners.

• Installing columns. As with building an open pen, you need to set the posts level and secure them with sand and concrete mortar.

• Strengthening. Install a metal profile along the entire height of the adjoining wall of the barn.

• Preparing the fastenings for the canopy. Install a strapping belt of metal crossbars between the pipes. Below, create the same belt of pipes, but with a smaller cross-section. Make crossbars at an angle between the belts.

• Construction of a canopy. Place rafters on top of the frame; they should be in the same plane. Place wooden boards on top of them. To protect the building from rain, the roof is covered with polycarbonate and reinforced with thermal washers.

• Creating protection. Using wire, stretch a metal mesh around the perimeter. Leave space for the gate.

Finally, install the gate using hinges.

Stationary open enclosure made of chain-link mesh

This is one of the simplest options that does not require much time and effort. For construction you will need:

• galvanized mesh in rolls;
• steel pipes with a diameter of 50-100 mm;
• binding wire;
• Bulgarian;
• nippers;
• roulette;
• a hammer;
• building level;
• hand drill;
• concrete mortar.

Instructions:

1. Step 1. Mark the location of the corner posts of the pen. To do this, measure the width of the pen from one corner of the chicken coop, then repeat the same on the other side. The distance from both marks to the wall should be the same.
2. Step 2. Determine which side the gate should be on and mark the width of the opening along the marking line. On average, the width of the gate varies from 80 to 100 cm, depending on the build of the owners of the site.
3. Step 3. Between the corner posts, marks are made at intervals of 1,5-2 m for intermediate posts, without which the mesh will sag.
4. Step 4. Using a hand drill, make a hole 40-50 cm deep and slightly larger in diameter than the pipe according to the markings. If the soil is too soft and loose, the diameter should be increased to 30-40 cm.
5. Step 5. The pipes are cut to the required length (the depth to which the posts will be dug into the ground must be added to the height of the fence) and lowered into the pits. Fine gravel and sand are added, the posts are aligned vertically and at the height, and the pits are filled with concrete. The position of the pipes is checked again with a level, adjusted if necessary, and left in this position for 3 days so that the solution can set properly.
6. Step 6. Metal hooks are welded to the outside of the pipes: the lower one is 15 cm above the ground level, the upper one is 10-15 cm below the top of the pipe, and one is in the middle.
7. Step 7. A 50×50 mm wooden block is nailed to the wall of the barn, where the mesh will be attached, or a metal corner with holes drilled for the wire is screwed in with self-tapping screws.
8. Step 8. The edge of the mesh is secured to the shed using nails or tying wire, then stretched between the posts, hooked onto the hooks. All posts should be inside the perimeter, not outside.

The mesh from different rolls is connected to each other using wire pulled from the edge of the mesh. You can also use knitting wire. Now all that remains is to make and install the gate.

The simplest wicket gate is a rectangular frame made of a profile pipe with a mesh welded on top. Instead of pipes, you can assemble a frame from bars, strengthening them at the corners with metal plates. Then install the hinges and hang the wicket gate in its place.

On soft, loose soil, it is recommended to dig the lower edge of the netting 15-20 cm along the entire perimeter, as chickens like to rake the ground and may accidentally crawl outside the enclosure.

If the area is rocky, there is no need to dig the net in, it is enough for it to touch the ground surface. When fixing the net with knitting wire, make sure that its sharp ends do not stick out inside the fence – birds can catch them and get hurt.

Walking hens outside and in the garden

Outdoor grazing of laying hens

This type of housing system can be observed in amateur poultry farming. It is good because it eliminates the need for a fenced area or an aviary. Outdoor grazing is justified when there are no beds. At the same time, there are no chickens that, due to their breed characteristics, do not dig up the beds.

The system is also worth paying attention to for those poultry farmers whose garden is represented only by potato plantings. Chickens do not eat the tops, but they enjoy Colorado beetles.

The disadvantages of outdoor grazing include the high probability of losing birds to predators.

Walking laying hens in the garden

Chickens respond with additional production when they are in the garden with trees and bushes every day. There is a lot of forage here and especially insects, their larvae.

Tree crowns protect the birds from the sun, and dense bushes protect them from large potential enemies.

Under the fruit trees there are always fallen pears, apples… and other delicacies that no bird would refuse.

Keeping chickens

To ensure that the birds are comfortable in the enclosure, you need to follow these rules:

• Cleansing. You can install basins with ash solution in the pens. Birds like to bathe in them. It is also convenient to clean feathers in such a solution.
• Replacing the perch. If you install several wooden stumps in the enclosure, the chickens will find it convenient to use them as perches.
• Comfort. In the cold season, it is uncomfortable for birds to walk on snow. Therefore, it is better to cover the bottom of the pen with straw.
• Warming. To prevent the chickens from freezing in an open pen during the cold season, you can cover the walls with sheets of plastic, polycarbonate or simple film. But you need to make sure that they are not too thin and do not tear in the wind.

Carrying out work:

• screw the slats to the supports around the perimeter of the pen;
• attach the insulation material to them using a stapler or self-tapping screws;
• secure the structure with another row of slats if it is made of film.

The choice of the pen design depends on the number of chickens and the purpose of the construction. For walking 10-20 birds in the summer, it is better to use a mobile enclosure, and for year-round maintenance – a stationary one. If you prepare correctly and follow the instructions, you can easily build a comfortable enclosure for chickens with your own hands.