Corral for chickens: how to make an aviary for walking with your own hands

Building a chicken pen is an important undertaking that ensures the full development of birds. Thanks to the construction of this design, it is possible to make walking birds comfortable and safe. The corral allows chickens to be in the open air for a long time and receive good nutrition. At the same time, there are different types of such structures, which allows poultry farmers to choose the best option.

Why do we need an aviary

This fence allows you to provide the birds with a comfortable range. Thanks to the construction of this design, the care of birds is facilitated. It allows you to achieve the following results:

1. Ensure the safety of birds. The corral protects chickens from other birds, predators, rodents.
2. Ensure normal containment conditions. The aviary gives access to fresh air, which is so important for the normal development of birds.
3. Make bird care easier.
4. Make sure the chickens are comfortable.
5. Prevent the free movement of birds around the site, which causes damage to plants or buildings.
6. Decorate the site. A beautiful enclosure can become part of the 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 he alth 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 have different types. However, they are all divided into 2 main categories - mobile and stationary.

Mobile

Such paddocks are relevant in warm seasons, as they provide walking for birds on fresh grass. The structures are lightweight and compact in size. From above they are covered with a mesh or canopy. This prevents birds from flying 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 flat surface.

Stationary

Such corrals are used all year round. They are placed close to the walls of the house. Thanks to this, the birds themselves can go outside. When breeding meat breeds that cannot fly high, the paddock may be open. At the same time, 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 mesh from above. The need for a closed top arises at the risk of attack by birds of prey, which are quite capable of dragging not only chicks, but also adults.

Quality Design Requirements

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

1. Usually, the construction on the south side is fenced with a net. It is important that it be fairly high.
2. In the paddock it is worth placing a convenient feeder. In addition to food, it is desirable to add small pebbles to it.
3. It is important to control the condition of the food, as it can quickly deteriorate if left outside.
4. The size of the corral is chosen taking into account the number of chickens.

Quality fencing will help protect chickens from predatory animals and other external threats. In order for the birds to hide from the rain, it is worth making a canopy.

Preparation for construction

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

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 paddock should be fairly strong and durable. Because it is made of metal pipes. Steel corners are used as jumpers. Bars can also be used.

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

It is worth giving preference to a galvanized mesh with small cells. Cheap material is not recommended because it will not last long. After the first rain, rust will appear on the grid. It will have to be thrown out after a few seasons.

A polymer mesh would be 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 size, the better. In close quarters, 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 area 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 may be different - it all depends on the organization of the space on the site.

Choosing a seat

A stationary paddock needs the right location. It is important that the birds immediately get into it 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.

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

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?

You can make an aviary yourself. At the same time, there are several options for manufacturing such structures.

Building a portable pen

To build a mobile paddock, do the following:

1. From 3 boards measuring 24.38 centimeters and 3 boards measuring 16.26 centimeters, make a side wall. The second wall is made according to the same principle.
2. Cut the ends of short boards. From above it is worth making an angle of 60 degrees, from below - 40.
3. Pull the mesh and fix it with a stapler.
4. Connect the side walls in the shape of a house and fix it on top with self-tapping screws. From below they are fixed on 2 crossbars. Trim the ends at a 30 degree angle.
5. In the center of the frame, attach spacers in increments of 3.37 centimeters. Cut their ends at an angle of 30 degrees.
6. Sheathe the top with plywood.
7. Cover the ends with mesh and stuff wooden planks on top.

Building a stationary open range from a chain-link mesh

To do this, 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. Use a hand drill to mark a hole 50 centimeters deep. In diameter, they should be slightly larger than the size of 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. To nail a wooden block measuring 50x50 millimeters to the barn wall or fix the wire with self-tapping screws.
8. Fix the edge of the mesh with nails or knitting wire. Then pull between the posts.

How to make a stationary 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 out a 1 meter deep hole with a diameter of 36-41 centimeters in accordance with the markings.
3. Cut 8 fragments of 2.8 meters and 2 elements of 80 centimeters from the pipes.
4. Place in prepared recesses, cover with stones and sand, then pour with concrete. Leave 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 gate and outline the attachment areas.
9. Hang the gate, screw the upper fragments of the hinges.
10. Attach the valve to the other post.

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

Features of caring for an aviary

Caring for a portable poultry house without a floor is to control the safety of the structure. It should not contain injury-prone areas or openings that chickens or other animals can get into.

Stationary pens with a foundation are recommended to be systematically cleaned of food debris and droppings. Periodic disinfection of facilities is recommended.

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 the design of poultry houses for 30 or a hundred or more layers?

Such houses differ only in size. If keeping 6-7 birds requires at least 1 square meter of area, then for 100 individuals 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 egg production and protect chickens from disease.

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