Individual holding/conditioning cages

[Max]

    I just finished some new holding pens for the birds. I wanted to use all new materials but at the cheapest cost I could find. Treated 2X4's ripped into 2X2's. much cheaper than buying them already to size. Coated deck screws hold the frames together. I found some 100' rolls of Bekaert cage mesh on craigslist for $80 each. They are about $150 per roll from the manufacturer. The dividers are held in place with staples so they can be removed easily if I need to make a bigger cage. The door latches were made from scraps of cage wire. The unit breaks down into four pieces (base, lower section, upper section, roof) and can be disassembled in about 10 minutes. The total cost of materials divided by the number of individual cages equals about $14 per cage.
    The wife calls our yard "Chickenville" because we have a mansion, condos, and now an apartment complex  ... When I turn all the lights on in the pens for extra hours of light it looks like a small town in our yard. 

[Sharon Yorks]

Those are REALLY nice, Max. I wish you didn't live so far away; I'd hire you to make me one. I'm going to download your pictures and show my husband. I'll be like, "Honey, this is what I want for Christmas!"   
He'll probably tell me to go write a letter to Santa, but I gotta try!

[jwoodhaven]

Those are realy nice max. how big is each pen? I would think about 2ft X 2ft?

Jerry

[Max]

Thanks Sharon and Jerry!  I enjoy doing this kind of stuff... Each pen is 2ft X 2ft. I based them on a 4ft X 8ft sheet of wood so there would be minimal scrap wood when they were finished.  I can provide more detailed pics and dimensions as requested...

[Russ]

Looks good Max, looks like the bug has bitten you too.  If only it didn't as cold as is does here I could see my backyard filled with them.

[Sharon Yorks]

I can provide more detailed pics and dimensions as requested...

Yes, please! If I can't get my husband to make me one, I'll make it myself. Please be VERY descriptive and detailed 

Yeah. I'm thinking I should have it done by spring when the weather breaks.

[Max]

Thanks Russ! I got bit AGAIN about three years ago. I think it has turned into borderline obsession...  I hope I can force myself to trim down to less than 75 birds before winter sets in. The Ameraucanas aren't so bad on feed but the BLRW's are ravenous eaters! 

Sharon, Give me about a week to draw something up on the computer with a cut list. I will take some more pics too.

[Max]

Sorry it took so long. This should get you most of the way. If you have any queations let me know. Just remember, most things have room for improvement. If you see something you don't like you can always change it to suit your style. Tip: Measure twice, cut once!

[Sharon Yorks]

Thanks, Max! I was just thinking about this yesterday.

[John]

Max, DeWayne and Mike,
Sorry, but I accidently deleted your posts about the ice storm when I split the posts into their own topic.  I can't find an undo button.