GiffsFarm - Pens page 1

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There are many different ways to house your poultry and waterfowl. I have seen breeders that had some pretty elaborate setups and spent alot of money on them. Others used an old coop, I even talked to a guy who built his out of pallets that he was able to get from work. Hopefully some of my photos will give you some ideas. Pens need to be secure, well ventilated and have enough floor space to handle the number of birds you are putting in it. Both chickens and ducks don't need anything fancy just a shelter built for protection from the elements and predators. Most of the time I have to herd the Calls into their pen at dusk. If they could have it their way I would imagine they would spend 99% of their time outside. The one on the left I built but you could use an old shed, barn or garage.

I have an ever expanding outdoor aviary for the Mandarins and Green-wing Teal. This one is about 12'x14'x7' tall, it houses one pair of each. I used 4x4 pt posts and 2x6's around the sides. I purchased a cheap wood screen door and reinforced it with 1/2" sq wire. It is completely covered by the 1/2" sq wire all the way around and on top. I also have pvc coated wire along the bottom that goes into the ground about seven inches down. I purchased all my wire from BFProducts. I am building a second one that will be 12'x22'. Some folks use flight net for the top covering, just make sure you do not have predators in your area that could tear through it. The most determined preditor in my area is the raccoon. They are terrific climbers and would easily tear through the nylon type netting.

The most expensive part of your pen will most likely be the wire. This is one area you don't want to skimp on. Nothing worse than paying alot of money on your birds only to lose them to a raccoon, fox, weasel or some other preditor. You can get wire in all square opening sizes, gauge thickness and heights. Use a poultry type staple or heavy crown staple to attach the wire.

I have been slowly working on expanding my outdoor avairy. Off the north side I am putting up a cold frame to use as an aviary. You can see the photos as I build it here........cold frame aviary.

I have three different nesting boxes that I have available for the Mandarins and Teal. The large box outside the aviary in the pictures above is one that they both use. The top is hinged and I keep their food in it. One thing I need to change is the weight of the top, it is too heavy. When the top is opened, I have wire covering just incase one of the birds is in at the time. The wire door opening to put food in is made of a cooling rack. You can buy a pair from WalMart for about a $1. The large box has a ramp and tube connecting the box to the aviary. I also have a Wood duck style nesting box and a ground box I built in the aviary both of which also have hinged tops.

Inside the aviary I have some ornamental grasses, rock, mulch, a hollowed out log, and some limbs for perching along with their water which is a tote setting in a 2x4 pt frame in the ground. Keep an eye out for someone cutting down an old tree, you can find a nice hollowed out limb or stump that would be perfect for a nesting area. Mulch can sometimes be made available by contacting your town, just make sure it is clean. More on the water ideas can be found by clicking the tab at the bottom of this page.