Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

Well with this late start to winter. I decided to start some projects to get a head start on Spring. So I started building my 1st breeder pen today.

I plan on building 3 or 4 of these small (4ft x 8ft) breeding pens to hold trios or quads of a few breeds I have. I also figured I could use them as grow out pens for future breeders.

They will just be simple hoop houses covered with 1"x1" welded wire and plywood ends. Just have to decide on nestbox design and feeders and waterers. I will cover the top with a tarp for weather protection.

Any suggestions welcomed.

I will post more photos as I finish the 1st pen over the next couple days.

JimW

Hey Jim,

I did something quite similar, but I covered the miniature hoop house with a tarp and only used wire on the 2 ends. They works very well. The tarp keeps them dry and out of the wind and the 2 wire ends give lots of ventilation. The Tarps have lasted 2 years. I will probably have to replace them after this winter.

I put plastic on the back end and even overwinter in them. Great and economical way to separate your birds.

Very nice! what are you using for the hoops?

Thanks for the suggestions and comments.

Robbie the hoops are 3/4" PVC electrical conduit, 10 foot long pieces.

Jim, I'm just trying to visualize the projects end. Will you have a 'coop' somewhere in there?

Jim does attaching the conduit to the 1" welded wire provide enough strength to make a sturdy coop?

Looking good, we use the same set up for tomatoes, with shorter hoops, and a bar across the tops and both ends to keep it upright an netting over to keep the deer out, have been using the same hoops for years, works very well.

Sandy... no "coop" inside the pen, just small pens, with a tarp roof and sides to protect from rain, snow and wind, plus a next box and a roost.

Robbie.... I am not sure if it will be strong enough. I guess I will see. I actually have a bunch of 2 ft x 4 ft galvanized wire panels I will be using on the sides, which should provide good strength for the pens. I got the idea for the pens from here. https://www.fayrehalefarm.com/poultry-b ... ightbox/1/

Thanks OC. Eventually I plan to build better more permenant breeder pens and figure these little pens will make great raised beds for their second life.

A couple of updated photos.

Those are guna be very nice Jim! How about using metal roofing on the top screwed right into the conduit? Im still very jealous that you have all those metal shelving panels!