BREEDING PEN

[Sparrow Hawker]

Hi,

I'm after some advice on breeding pen setups/designs does anyone have any pictures of there own pens?

All The Best,

HH

[Jiff]

no pics andy,but the guy i baught sky from has his breeding enclosures made from lap-pannel fencing 7ft high and i would say 24ftx24ft totaly secluded which gives you a young bird totaly untouched(and i mean untouched) he has a large nesting shelf,and natural branches as perches,the floor is also natural with everything growing from grass to thistles, hope this helps mate.

[Shaun Byrne]

What sort of birds are you talking about HH? Keep it simple. The best wall material is metal profile sheets, they come in loads of different colours and are plastic coated so can be hosed down. They look really proffessional and if you get the green ones they blend in really well. Most of the big breeders now use this type of material for breeding pens and hack pens. Keep the roof as open as possible (grill) apart from the nest area. Nest platform needs to be as high as you can get it with enough headroom for the parents. The nest ledge and material will depend on the birds being bred. If using a natural pair, perches are very important, firstly as a platform for copulation and later for young birds to use for exercise. Finally a well placed food ledge, food chute and bath that can be hosed out through a small hole from outside.
Then just add 2 birds and simmer in the sun for about 2 months and voila, eggs (hopefully).

[Shaun Byrne]

Yes mate, I'll dig out some suppliers. If you get a decent price on them they are as cheap as ply!!

[Shaun Byrne]

http://www.cladco.co.uk/roof-cladding-sheets.htm

There's a start Andy

[Shaun Byrne]

Dont go by the prices on there, thats top whack, talk to them and you'll get discount. That place is in Devon but there will be suppliers nearer you, try Jewson or one of the other merchants.

[Jack Merlin]

24ft X 24ft at about £8 a sheet is about £230 if my maths is correct.

There's a farming paper that has loads of second hand materials for sale. Is it the Farmers' Guardian??

There are a couple of suppliers of cheap chipboard locally. I think it is about half that price, but it would need a coat or two of a good resin based paint.

Jack

[Shaun Byrne]

Anyone who builds any kind of outdoor building from chipboard wants their head testing! It would last about a month in winter and looks ****.

[Sparrow Hawker]

Hi,

That sheet looks excellent stuff thanks for that H4wka. It's spars I would like to have a go at breeding.

All The Best,

HH

[SW3AN29]

hi in regard to using those metal cladding sheets would they get too hot during the summer months because i agree they do look good