Comments for Chicken House Plans

Comment on looking to use kiity litter in chicken pen for odor. Could ingredients harm the chickens if they ate it? by edgarrrw

edgarrrw — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:17:18 +0000

Yes they will eat it, chickens eat some stones to help them digest food in there crawl or gizzard. Cat litter has a active ingredient for Odor that would probably make them ill or die. i wouldn’t want to eat the eggs. For Odor try some cedar shavings around the yard, this helps also for ants in the area. I used to rack the yard everyday a distribute dropping in flower bed.

Comment on looking to use kiity litter in chicken pen for odor. Could ingredients harm the chickens if they ate it? by cowgalsarah

cowgalsarah — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:17:18 +0000

ummm if your worried try using grit.. the chickens can eat it and it it should keep out the smell

Comment on looking to use kiity litter in chicken pen for odor. Could ingredients harm the chickens if they ate it? by ziz

ziz — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:17:18 +0000

kitty litter varies from brand to brand, but clay is usually the main ingredient. DO NOT USE clumping litter, it could bind in the bird’s crops. Also, I would be concerned about the purity of the clay, perfumes, odor control chemicals, etc. It might not be the best choice…. try using baking soda mixed in with the normal pen litter.

Comment on Can I Get A Chicken PEN in Harvest Moon A Wondeful Life? by rhodecol

rhodecol — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:16:09 +0000

You can’t buy a pen from what I remember, but you can make one sort of. Just go pick up wooden stakes and place them around the chicken shed. Just don’t leave the chickens out in the rain.

Comment on Can I Get A Chicken PEN in Harvest Moon A Wondeful Life? by ?Only for a Minute?

?Only for a Minute? — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:16:09 +0000

not sure i love harvest moon its so fu bubt i havent played it in forever so i dont really remember wat i did…

Comment on Can I Get A Chicken PEN in Harvest Moon A Wondeful Life? by thatdanielle

thatdanielle — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:16:09 +0000

those answers are incorrect. you can not get a chicken pen in awl. there is no way to buy it or get it. unlike the previous harvest moons, there are no stones or lumber so you can’t just build one and its just not something you can buy. aside from the Chicken Coop by your house, the only other place that could possible serve as a caged area is the fenced grass that you can have you cows and sheep graze in. other than that, there’s no such thing.

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Comment on How can I kill a mouse in a humane way? Getting into chicken feed!? by Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:01:29 +0000

actually a mouse trap is the most humane way to kill a mouse poison kills slowly glue traps make them starve and its just sad…………so id go mouse traps oh oh oh oh or a cat yup then the cat wont be so hungry

Comment on How can I kill a mouse in a humane way? Getting into chicken feed!? by Voice of Doom

Voice of Doom — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:01:29 +0000

FLorenza has the best answer here.

Comment on How can I kill a mouse in a humane way? Getting into chicken feed!? by Nancy M

Nancy M — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:01:29 +0000

I have had mouse problems lately and traps just weren’t working so I invested in some sticky mouse traps and they work great. They don’t have poison on them but you CANNOT leave them around birds-they stick to everything and you need paint thinner to remove them from non-mice things. Even if a tail of the mouse gets on the tape it can’t get away. I just put the tape with the mouse on it in a plastic bag and dispose of it in the garbage.

Comment on How can I kill a mouse in a humane way? Getting into chicken feed!? by Fried Kitten

Fried Kitten — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:01:29 +0000

I caught a mouse on a glue-board once.
I was about to crush it and it made a squeal.
I couldn’t bear with it.

So I just dunked it into the toilet and drowned it.
It was very quick.
It drowned in less than a second.

Comment on How can I kill a mouse in a humane way? Getting into chicken feed!? by Robbie

Robbie — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:01:29 +0000

use a mouse trap or use small shot and shoot it

Comment on How can I kill a mouse in a humane way? Getting into chicken feed!? by Pearl

Pearl — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:01:29 +0000

find it
capture it
and throw it into a dumpster
or stab it
or you can drown it in a river

jk jk jk capture it and let it go into a forest or something

Comment on How can I kill a mouse in a humane way? Getting into chicken feed!? by Florenza

Florenza — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:01:29 +0000

There are these special mouse traps that are made to catch mice without harming them. I’m not sure what they are called but you could probably make one. Have these supplies ready: a cardboard box, chicken food and peanut butter, and a string that’s attached to the box door. When you see the mouse, quickly put the box down and wait for it to come into it. Sprinkle the chicken feed in it. If this doesn’t work, get a big net and capture it. Then release it into the woods or far away from your house. I don’t like killing mice either.

Comment on How to put corrugated roofing on chicken wire? by I Love IDOL

I Love IDOL — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:39:58 +0000

You will need a wood frame on which to attach the roofing.
The frame needs legs that touch the ground and a length for every side of the pen.
If the roof will also be attached to the wire, then the wire needs to be secured to the ground or when the wind lifts the roofing the whole pen will go, as I think you are suggesting.

The wire pen needs a frame around the bottom of it. 2×4′s would work. If the pen has 4 sides then you need 4 2×4′ lengths. They need to be attached to each other and the wire needs to be stapled to the 2×4′s.
They should be heavy enough to keep it down. If you use treated 2×4′s you will get more weight and be rot resistant too.
You could then attach the legs of the roof frame to the 2×4′s along the bottom of the wire. Should stabilize everything.

Comment on How to put corrugated roofing on chicken wire? by darren w

darren w — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:39:58 +0000

you need to buy the specialist screws with soft rubber washers ,also need to run battens down the width of the top to fix the roofing onto.depending on how wide the corrugate is is how far you space the battons apart,

Comment on how do I make a good chicken pen? by carbrooksilkies

carbrooksilkies — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:07:04 +0000

Hi some of the best pens i have ever seen are converted small sheds on a small concrete slab. The chickens have some area to free range but are also fully enclosed

Comment on how do I make a good chicken pen? by Codyboy

Codyboy — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:07:04 +0000

I would recommend wooden houses. Neverrrrrrr make chicken wire house or the raccoons will stick there hands in and pull there heads off. Gosh my step mom’s stupid. I couldn’t tell you how to build as long as its big enough and safe enough. You could bury like bricks or chicken wire along the outside of the coop to keep things from digging in. But you know its better to let your chickens roam free or they will get sick and die form being cooped up all the time and are most likely to lay less eggs or no eggs at all. You can’t protect your chickens from every predator but you can prevent them from coming in like getting motion detector lights in the coop. Remember there just chickens so don’t get to atached thats what i learned.

Comment on how do I make a good chicken pen? by ddstantlerstill

ddstantlerstill — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:07:04 +0000

There are a variety of breeds which are great chickens.Decide how many you wish to keep first.This has a lot to do with a coop and pen size.To decide on what type of chicken you would like doesn’t really impact a coop/pen design.If you desire chickens for color there are several multicolored type’s.There is also a variety of comb styles.For interesting looking birds the Polish breeds are great,and easy to raise.There are also some rare breeds that the back yard hobbyist can help maintain.For some great color pictures of chickens I recommend Privett hatchery’s web-site As well Cackle hatchery out of Missouri have some wonderful pic’s of their stock on their website.feathersite has an a-z listing of chickens with pic’s of most breeds.As for the coop and pen much depends on the amount of birds you intend on having.Being you want your chickens more for pets you would probably do well with a raised floor design in the pen.To keep all critters out your pen needs to be fully covered as well as full bottomed.A raised bottom is fairly easy to build.Use a 4"x4" treated posts for your corners.Bury the ends at least 1 foot deep.You can use treated 2"x4"s for support and top rails.use 1 inch chicken wire and go post to post.then go across the bottom with a 2"x6" treated board.I tell you what to save time e-mail me and i will draw you a set of blue prints.As well as advice for feeding and general keeping.

Comment on how do I make a good chicken pen? by mckaytyler

mckaytyler — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:07:04 +0000

First decide about how many chickens you want to keep. You said you just wanted them for pets, but there is no reason why you should not have a good supply of fresh eggs while you are keeping them. You need to make a good pen to keep the chickens in. Get rolled chicken wire from your hardware store.
Dig a trench around the perimeter where you want your fence. Make the trench about one foot deep. Set the posts and put up the chicken wire with the bottom of the wire at the bottom of the trench. Fill in the trench packing it down with dirt mixed with gravel. This will protect your chickens from the wild animals that you are worried about from digging under your fence. Put a top on your pen with the chicken wire to protect against hawks and other birds or prey. Now you have a good yard for the chickens to run in you need a shelter from the weather. A house that opens into the yard where the chickens can be shut in at night should have roosts and some nest boxes inside. You can hang heat lamps in cold weather.
The type of chickens to start with is pretty much a personal choice. None are much easier or harder to raise. The feed is specially made for the size and type of chickens you want to raise. Check with your local farm or feed supply store.
You can see that it is going to take a pretty good commitment on your part to keep the chickens. It can also be very rewarding if you are willing to do it right.

Comment on how do I make a good chicken pen? by skateboardboi

skateboardboi — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:07:04 +0000

well first u need an electric fence….

Comment on Where do you get a good but cheap (maybe even second hand) chicken pen? by VetsJetsnGuns

VetsJetsnGuns — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:16:04 +0000

For that money, I think you’re going to have to build it yourself. And even then you’re going to have to hunt job sites for scrap wood, or possibly convert a dog house.

You’re also going to need a run (an enclosed pen)- chickens like to get outside, even up north in the winter. You can also free-range them, but they’re going to have to get ‘established’ in thier coop first.

Your climate and the breed will matter, and probably increase costs.. If you’re in Florida, you’re only going to need enough structure to keep predators out. I put R-19 in my coop, because I don’t plan to heat it (I’m in Wisconsin). You’re going to need more space for larger chickens..

If you have a decent size yard, consider building a "chicken tractor." (google it)

In any case, I’m pretty sure you’re going to have to scavange materials and build it yourself for that money.

Comment on How can I weasel proof my chicken pen? by livelovesimplyb

livelovesimplyb — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:18:12 +0000

keep ‘em away from my house. I’ve got ferrets
You could also set up some sort of security lights…it might freak the weasels out…and they’ll run away. Although, I’m not too sure that wouldn’t catch on to that, they are pretty smart. Maybe try coyote urine? Weasels use their sense of smell quite a bit…and they may leave if they think there is a much larger predator in the area.

Comment on How can I weasel proof my chicken pen? by Haley

Haley — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:18:12 +0000

put some electric wire aroud it or try barbed wire, electric wire would probly work best because it will shock them and they might not come back. I have chickens too.

Comment on How can I weasel proof my chicken pen? by coonladylori

coonladylori — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:18:12 +0000

Chicken wire will only keep chickens in, it will not keep out raccoons, weasels, mink, and a host of other predators.

You need to do several things. Invest in what is called HARDWARE CLOTH, this is 1/4 inch welded wire mesh. You will need to install this on the sides, ceiling and bury it in the floor – all the while attaching it so that there are NO holes, gaps or other weaknesses. Do not use household staples or staple guns, use HORSESHOE nails, they are large, U shaped nails that are at least 3/4 of an inch long, and you need a hammer to attach them.

Unless you also secure the ceiling, you will have critters climbing the wire or raptors (eagles, hawks, owls…) flying in and nabbing your fowl.

I am a wildlife rehabber who specializes in assisting folks with problem wildlife…trust me, the solution is not easy or cheap.

Good luck.

Comment on How do you make a transportable chicken pen? by steve nash is my daddy

steve nash is my daddy — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:52:53 +0000

a purse a big purse

Comment on How do you make a transportable chicken pen? by maggzma

maggzma — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:52:53 +0000

Basically all you need is 3-4 fence posts, a mallet to pound them into the ground and some basic fencing material. Depending on how big you want the pen and if you want it square, rectangle or triangle shaped, just pound in the fence posts and wrap the fencing around the posts. Use twist ties or even string or rope to tie the ends of the fence together. Very portable, cheap, quick and easy to set up. Be sure to have a waterer of some sort and even a towel or blanket to put over part of the structure for shade. Hope this helps and good luck to you and your chicken!!

Comment on How do you make a transportable chicken pen? by Gina F

Gina F — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:52:53 +0000

How about a hugh box? Cut out the front and wire it with chicken wire. Make sure you secure whichever side you use to get Henny into the box. Put shavings and her food and water, and you are all set. She will have a good place to exercise and show off to viewers.

Otherwise, make a square frame, boxlike with wood, as large as you like and use chicken wire. Place cardboard on the bottom and cover it with shavings when you get to the set up site.

Comment on How do you make a transportable chicken pen? by humor4fms

humor4fms — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:52:53 +0000

use a dog crate or something there of!

Comment on How do you make a transportable chicken pen? by Helena

Helena — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:52:53 +0000

When transporting my chickens, I either use a cardboard box with holes in (but that’s not very good for a carnival) or a plastic box (make sure there is sufficient airflow) that used to hold office papers, but I sort of hijacked it.

Alternatively, I know people who have used one of those harnesses used for walking cats / rabbits for walking their chickens, although they can need quite a bit of adjusting. You want to go for the figure-of-8 type.

Make sure that you also take along a cardboard box in case she gets stressed, as well as ample supplies of food and water.

Make sure your teacher doesn’t mind you bringing in a live animal on the day!

Good luck

Comment on How Can I Stop Foxes and Predators From Getting Into My Chicken Pens? by XXshannon00

XXshannon00 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:15:16 +0000

get an enclose chicken pen.thats what my aunt did when she got her chickens. it worked.

Comment on How Can I Stop Foxes and Predators From Getting Into My Chicken Pens? by or1088

or1088 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:15:16 +0000

I’ve heard of injecting chicken carcasses with a substance like lithium that causes foxes/coyotes to be nauseous but doesn’t leave any long term effects. You throw it around the pen and after they eat it and get sick, they associate eating chicken with getting sick. However, I’m not sure if what the availability of that is and how practical it is.

Comment on Top Chicken House Plans Info in May by DIY Chicken Coops | Chicken Coops

DIY Chicken Coops | Chicken Coops — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:08:39 +0000