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

The construction of a chicken enclosure 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 corral allows chickens to be outdoors for a long time and receive adequate nutrition. At the same time, there are different types of such structures, which allows poultry breeders to choose the best option.

Why do you need an aviary

This fence allows the birds to walk comfortably. Thanks to the construction of this structure, the care of the birds is facilitated. It allows you to achieve the following results:

1. Ensure the safety of the birds. The enclosure protects chickens from other birds, predators, and rodents.
2. Ensure normal conditions of detention. The aviary gives access to fresh air, which is so important for the normal development of birds.
3. Facilitate bird care.
4. Provide comfortable chickens.
5. Prevent free movement of birds around the area that harms plants or structures.
6. Decorate the plot. A beautiful aviary can become a part of landscape design.

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

Varieties of corrals

Such structures can be of different types. However, they all fall into 2 main categories - mobile and stationary.

Mobile

Such pens are relevant in warm seasons, since they provide walking birds on fresh grass. The designs are lightweight and compact. A net or canopy covers them from above. 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.

These pens can be easily moved on a level surface.

Stationary

Such pens are used all year round. They are placed close to the walls of the house. Thanks to this, the birds can go out on their own. When breeding beef 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 corral closed by pulling 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 construction

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

1. Usually, the structure on the south side is fenced with a net. It is important that it be quite tall.
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 feed as it can quickly deteriorate outdoors.
4. The size of the pen is chosen taking into account the number of chickens.

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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, it is worth preparing everything you need. You also need to decide on a place.

Selection of materials and calculation of area

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 fairly strong and durable. Therefore, it is made from metal pipes. Steel corners are used as jumpers. Bars can also be used.

However, they are pretreated with an impregnation against decay. Otherwise, the racks will have to be changed quickly.

It is worth giving preference to a galvanized mesh with fine meshes. 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 polymer mesh is a good option. 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.

1 medium-sized adult chicken requires 1 full square meter of floor space. This means that 10 hens will need a pen of at least 10 square meters. In this case, the shape of the site can be different - it all depends on the organization of the space on the site.

Seat selection

A stationary pen needs to be positioned correctly. It is important that birds enter it immediately from the house. It is best to organize an aviary on the south side. The wall that faces north should be made solid. It is made of slate or corrugated board.

Do not place a chicken coop with an aviary in the lowlands. In this case, water will accumulate in it. High humidity negatively affects the condition of the house and can provoke various diseases in chickens. It is important that the window of the chicken coop faces the south side. 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 corral in a secluded place. The constant presence of people negatively affects the productivity of birds.

How to make a chicken pen with your own hands?

It is quite possible to make an aviary yourself. Moreover, there are several options for the manufacture of 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. Cut the ends of short boards. At the top it is worth making an angle of 60 degrees, at the bottom - 40.
3. Stretch the mesh and fix it with a stapler.
4. Connect the side walls in the shape of a house and secure with self-tapping screws on top. 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 3.37 cm increments. Cut their ends at an angle of 30 degrees.
6. Sheathe the top with plywood.
7. Cover the ends with a mesh and fill the wooden planks on top.

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

To do this, you should do the following:

1. Mark up 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. With a hand drill, make a hole 50 centimeters deep along the marking. They should be slightly larger in diameter than the pipes.
5. Cut the pipes to the required length and plunge into the recesses. Pour stones and sand and pour concrete. Leave for 3 days.
6. From the outside, weld metal hooks to the pipes.
7. Nail a 50x50 mm wooden block to the wall of the shed or fix the wire with self-tapping screws.
8. Fix the edge of the net with nails or knitting wire. Then pull it between the posts.

How to make a permanent indoor corral

For the construction of such a structure, the following is performed:

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

After the completion of the construction of the corral, it is worth starting to arrange the space inside the fence. For this, they put ladders, supports for nests, poles.

Aviary care features

Caring for a portable house without a floor is about checking the safety of the structure. It should not contain traumatic areas or openings into which chickens or other animals can fall.

Stationary pens with a foundation are recommended to be systematically cleaned of food debris and droppings. It is recommended to periodically disinfect the structures.

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

Are there any differences in house designs for 30 or 100 or more layers?

Such poultry houses differ exclusively in size. If at least 1 square meter of area is required to keep 6-7 birds, then 100 individuals will need at least 16 square meters.

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