How to Build Portable Chicken Cages

Many portable chicken cages are shaped like a tent. They have lockable quarters at the top or on the back side to lock the chicken in at night. Nesting bags or boxes in the quarters provide secure egg-laying spaces. Easy to lift handles or wheels allow the user to move them to different areas of the garden. Using a portable chicken cage has many benefits. The land won't become barren because of over-grazing and the chicken manure fertilizes the ground. Movable chicken cages allow the chicken to graze in different areas of the garden.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-by-4 wood planks
  • Table saw
  • Wood nails
  • Hammer
  • ½-inch plywood sheets
  • Tape measure
  • Nesting box
  • Thick wire mesh
  • Wood screws
  • Power drill
  • Metal locks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the measurements into half for rearing two chickens. The portable cages usually do not have a floor. Four chickens can live in a 6-by-5-by-4-feet high cage.

    • 2

      Construct the frame using the 2-by-4 wood planks. Cut six 2-by-4 wood planks to five feet long, using a table saw. Attach two planks in inverted V shape. Join the ends of the 5-foot planks at a 45 degree angle. Hammer wood nails through the outside surface of one plank into the interior surface of the other plank. Make three V-shaped frames.

    • 3

      Invert the V shaped frames. They now become A-shaped frames. Place the three A-shaped frames two feet apart, parallel to each other.

    • 4

      Cut two plywood sheets, measuring 2-by-5 feet. Place the plywood sheets vertically over the left side of the first and second A-shaped frames. Nail through the plywood sheets into the A-shaped frames using a hammer and wood nails. Place the plywood sheet vertically over the left side of the second and third A-shaped frames. Nail through the plywood sheets into the A-shaped frames using a hammer and wood nails. Cover only the left side of the A-shaped frames.

    • 5

      Cut three 2-by-4 wood planks into four foot lengths, using a table saw. Place one of the planks horizontally on the right side of the A-shaped frame, at the top. Nail the plank into the A-frame, using a hammer and wood nails. Place a second plank horizontally on the right side of the A-shaped frame, in the center. Nail the plank into the A-frame. Place the third plank horizontally on the right side of the A-shaped frame, at the bottom. Nail it into the A-frame.

    • 6

      Cut ½-inch plywood sheet to 2-feet 6-inches by 4-feet using a table saw. Place the plywood sheet horizontally on the right side of the A-shaped frame. The plywood covers the top and middle portion of the A-frame. Nail the plywood sheet into the top and middle horizontal 2-by-4 wood planks on the right side of the A-shaped frame.

    • 7

      Measure the triangular opening on the left side of the frame using a tape measure. Measure the triangular opening on the right side of the frame. Cut plywood sheets to the dimensions of the left and right sides. The plywood sheets should cover the entire side portions to protect the chickens from predators. Nail the triangles to the sides of frame.

    • 8

      Drill two 1-inch holes on the bottom of the left triangular plywood piece. The holes should be one foot above the ground. Drill two 1-inch holes on the bottom of the right triangular plywood piece. The holes should be one foot above the ground. Place one1-inch in diameter wood stick through each of the holes. These are used for the chickens to roost.

    • 9

      Place one nesting box inside the frame. Place the nesting boxes on either side of the frame. The nesting boxes, which the hens share and where they lay their eggs, are free standing for easy removal.

    • 10

      Measure the exposed lower sections of the front wall. The back wall and triangular sides are completely covered with plywood, as are the top and middle sections of the front wall. There are two exposed sections that have not been covered. Cut the thick wire mesh and place it over the left, exposed section. Nail the perimeter of the wire mesh into the frame.

    • 11

      Place the thick wire mesh over the right exposed section. This serves as the door to the chicken cage. Screw a metal lock into each of the four edges, using a power drill. When the chicken cage is not supervised, lock the four metal locks of the cage to prevent predator access.