If you are considering raising grass-fed meat birds and would like a long-lasting, portable pen that can be used for years to come consider this plan.

This 8' x 10' pastured poultry pen can house up to 40 birds with plenty of room to move until birds are ready to process at eight to 10 weeks. The completed pen ready for birds and pasture. One-inch chicken wire was later added around the lower half of the pen to keep the small birds in and predators out. Materials List

I came across this simple design in the Vol. 30/No. 2 issue of Farm Show Magazine featuring Jamie and Chad Henneman's low-cost "Range Chickens." The Hennemans refer to their portable pens as chicken condos. Joel Salatin, author of Pastured Poultry Profit$, also uses these open-bottom pens.

The one I built is somewhat different but serves the same purpose. This 8' x 10' design can house up to 40 birds without too much crowding.

When moving the pen to fresh grass (which should be done one or two times daily depending on how many birds you have) caution should be taken not to get the birds' legs under the lower frame of the pen. They will learn to move when the pen moves so this problem is minimal after a while. I would also add a hold down strap to secure the hinged roof doors in place. A permanent feeder and waterer would be helpful when moving the pen. Remember chickens can't live on grass alone and a food ration must be included in their diet.

The book Pastured Poultry Profit$ has a great food ration. Since butchering should take place within eight to 10 weeks, it's possible to raise 160 birds per season per pen, depending on your geographic location.

I used 1" angle iron for the complete frame with a 24" center height sloping down to 18" front and rear. The frame is welded together giving greater strength compared to bolting, which will loosen up after a while. After the frame was completely welded together I added eight 4" pieces of 1/2" steel round stock-one at each of the upper and lower outside corners for the wheels. The upper round stock serves as a place to store the wheels when the pen is stationary and as handles when lifting the pen to put the wheels on while preparing to move the pen. These round stock axles have holes drilled through the outside ends for the quick pull pins that hold the wheels and flat washers on when moving.

All four sides were covered with welded wire mesh fencing material and fastened with 6" plastic tie wraps. We later added 1" chicken wire around the lower half of the pen to keep the small birds in and predators out. The roof is constructed of metal roofing with half of each side hinged for access from opposite corners. The ridge cap is cut from rubber mat material that allows the ridge cap to move with the doors when opening. Self tapping pole barn screws were used to fasten the roofing and ridge cap. A handle was welded together with one end fabricated to swivel up and down. A 3" pipe nipple was welded to the center of the upper frame on both ends so the handle could be bolted to either end for pulling either way.