That Quail Place Forum
Raising Gamebirds => Build It Yourself => Topic started by: Reeves on January 20, 2008, 12:13:07 PM
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This picture is looking north, at the south side of the pen. The first 12' is treated wood and will be stained this summer so it matches the rest of the wood. You can see some lath in the pen, it is covered with wire so the Con Easter will survive the Amherst. When it has grown high enough the wire/lath shall be removed.
Note that the wire is just normal 1" chicken wire. I am installing a chain link predator fence at this time. The posts are concreted in, around the whole front yard. The 6' fence goes up this weekend, and the 3' bottom underground will be installed this weekend as well.
The "house" is 5'x8'. Tin sides and roof. The sand bath and grit area is covered. The Amherst side starts at the house, extends 36 feet out & extends away from you , in an L shape. They have 576 sq. ft. run.
The ribbon has been put all the way around. It is so Deer can see something & not blow through the pen. When the fence is done, the ribbon will come down.
Note the gillotine type door on their house. It is closed each night, opened in the early AM. Not even a mouse can get inside at night.
House is wired, so heat/light. Also a heated water dish for the winter.
Both pics taken May 1st.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/IMG_0241.jpg)
In this next picture you can see that on the inside of the L shape, I built a run for my Quail. The small "house" is 10'x4'x2'. The green covered part is heated. The next section, where you see clear plastic is their food and water area, next a grit area, next their sand bath. From that end the can enter their grassed and landscaped area. The "house" is devided down the center, so 20 sq. ft. , then the run for each side is 72 sq. ft. = 92 sq. ft. for each pair of California Valley Quail I have in there. In there runs I planted Dwarf Mugo Pine(one side) and Dwarf Cedars(other side) and red and black Currants in each side. Grass & clover base. I replced the wire on this small pen with welded wire, after the Badger attack last year. Stainless screws and washers to attach it.
This picture is looking south, at the north side of the pen.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/QuailAmherst110606.jpg)
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My Valley male watching for predators, because his 8 chicks are out in the run
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/IMG_0268.jpg)
The light colored wood in the back ground is another pen...
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/log2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/log9.jpg)
I work in the bush and often find some interesting wood. The above tree has been placed in the Amherst pen. Works as a decorative and roof support.
http://www.thatquailplace.com/smf/index.php?topic=3540.0
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Since it is mainly the wife that has to deal with my Reeves, I built a guillotine style door. (I also have them on all my bird "houses", as they are locked each night & opened each early morning, year round)
In this first picture is the east side. When we want him inside, we just walk over by the window, in he goes & up on a ledge. We then lower the door to keep him in , so we can do what is needed in the run. To keep him out of the "house" we just stand next to the wire & while he tries to remove my knee caps, close the door. We can then work inside without him ripping our legs off.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Reevesdoor2.jpg)
The next two pictures are how the door was made.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Reevesdoor4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Reevesdoor3.jpg)
In this next one the door has been opened, with me in the pen (fast picture !)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Reevesdoor5.jpg)
This building and run is going next spring. Going to build a new "house" and a much larger run. (Goldens in the far side) So, if you see something you don't like, too bad :lol:
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/IMG_0607.jpg)
In the above picture is the sand bath and grit area for the Golden. I first build a frame out of 2x4s, then fill and stomp down 3/4" drain rock. When it is level with the top, I then staple a felt like filter cloth over the frame. Then build another frame on top of that, fill with sand/grit.
This lets it drain very well and even after a rain it drys out very fast. All my pens sand/grit areas have a roof over them as well.
This next picture is of the Reeves side. I have lots to do yet. For one, I have to finish the Golden expansion. I'll also be re-building their house (I'll explain more later).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/may2007reevesextension.jpg)
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I moved to this place about 3.5 years ago. So much has not been finished & much has to be planed out, and too many projects on the go. Priorities have to be set...like my shop. Woodpeckers have made a mess of the north and east sides, now I have to replace 10-15 sheets of plywood, fix/replace some insulation, then get the siding on. So money spent there delays other things , like pens...
Anyway, this is the Reeves (near side) and Golden pen. I plan on where the pen will be, plant trees etc so all will get established before birds are there. Note the flagging tape. Had Deer blow through the pen twice. I have chain link up now & it has kept Deer, Coyotes etc out (3' underground all around).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/IMG_0179.jpg)
Another pen and building. I had a Yellow Golden trio in when I moved here. Sold them: down sized till I can catch up.
The trees in the foreground have been removed/trans planted. The two rows of Cedars have been added to. In this picture you are looking south (at the north side of the building).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/IMG_0226.jpg)
In this next picture, you are looking sort of north west(ish).
The run is 12'x12' then the sand/grit area = 280 sq. ft. (includes inside of house).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/IMG_0225.jpg)
The 8'x14' building came with the place. I moved it to where I wanted it. I then built a floor on the floor, insulated R-20 in the floor, walls and roof. I installed a 110v base board type heater, lights etc.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Yellowhouseinside2.jpg)
As well as two sliding double glaze windows.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/Yellowhouseinside3.jpg)
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Ok, some added info....
In the pictures (some 2-3 years old) some changes have been made. In the last one (grey building) the 12'x12' run was removed and used to extend the Reeves pen. I also have much to do to it all. I'll be lifting the building and pouring a concrete base. Then add onto the north side a covered sand/grit area , same as on the south end. Then build the runs. I'll be going 14'x14' on each end. Tin will cover from the snad/grit on the south to north ends (26' long). The runs will make this whole project 110' long.
The Yellow's had a total of 280 sq. ft. when in there (includes house). When finished, each end will be 636 sq. ft. (not including house space). Siding will also cover the outside of the building. More planting as well. Vines to climb the wire.
I will also be going with the plastic coated wire (on all pens , over time).
A note to keep in mind. These pens are not the do all end all of pens. Many people have pens that are better/different. Each time I build, it seems I can find ways to improve the structures in some way.
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Don't forget that part of a play ground needs a sand box !
I build a 2x4 frame, put in and stomp down 3/4" drain rock, till level with the top of that frame. Cover/attach a filter cloth (like thick felt) . Then build another frame. This allows it to dry fast. Although this area is covered, the sides are not. They use it year round.
In the picture, I have just changed out the sand and grit. The near hen is in the sand, far hen standing on the grit. Grit is 1/4 minus gravel, with #2 granite grit mixed in: they pick what they want.
Tabo to disturb a Reeves hen sand bathing ! They'll stay put, but they (sort of) growl at anything that gets near.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/IMG_0605.jpg)
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Thanks for this thread,I picked up some good ideas. Nick
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Don't know (without re-reading it all) if I mentioned...no nails were used in any of the constrution: all coated deck screws. Mostly 3".
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a24 Reeves, I must say those are really nice pens. You must really love those birds to go to so much effort. I wish you best.
David
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I wish my windows were that good. Damnit! s49
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very nice pens reeves, I'm building a pen off of my shop for the chuckars I'm getting.I'm thinking about making it 50 ft + 50ft. this should be good for 40 chuckars or should i just go 50 + 75 and play it safe?it will have alfalfa and cereal grains planted in it for cover and pecking if they wish.
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Plant some grass seed as well. (always best to set pens up at least a year ahead of time )
First things to go in my pens are the dandelions and clover. Grass lasts a long time.
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It already has the grass and alfalfa seeded so i just have to seed the cereal grains
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Older post, but I was wondering how Alberta 67 made out. I have several pairs of Chukar, all prs. have 150sq' runs, the grass lasted about a week. Chukar will defoliate any green from their runs almost overnight.
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Seems I missed a couple pictures, of how I did the front yard perimeter chain link fence. It is all 9ga galvanized wire. Three foot underground. I used a garden tiller to loosen the soil, hand shovel, till some more.....till I had a trench 12-16" deep on the outside. The 3' wire was attached to the upright 6' wire with stainless bull rings every 4".
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/IMG_0194.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/IMG_0192.jpg)
This was done in 2006. So far no Deer have jumped the fence. No digging critters have tried to get in. Yet.
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You went to all of that trouble and you are going to move..... s98
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Someday, yes. I want to "retire" in B.C. But that is many years down the road....
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Now all you need is some razor wire for the top. :wink:
You don't need any pens for your birds, just clip one wing and let 'em run around in the yard. :grin:
kp1
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Man I can stop looking at that picture...CH is right!!!!! I would give my left #@% to have a fenced in area like that...
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I'm not sure what to make of a guy who is a heavy equipment operator and uses a tiller and and shovel to dig a ditch like that. dh3
s20
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Reeves,
s98 Very impressive to say the least.
All I can say is when and if you decide to retire and move back to B.C., you better hope the next person that is buying you property and home is as enthusiastic about birds as you are. Otherwise, all has gone in vain.
Or you can knock down all the pens, leave the buildings up and sell it as a mini compound to some leftist radical.. s020 j45
Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
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I have a friend that can use a shovel that good....I never did learn how... s020
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Funny bunch eh ! ::)
When I continue the fence around the back yard I'll be using a mini excavator.....that ditch was way too much fun to dig by hand !
Steve....the fence has raised the value of the place far greater than what it cost !
However, if the next owners do not raise birds....the landscaping/trees will be an odd thing to deal with :grin:
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Funny bunch eh ! ::)
When I continue the fence around the back yard I'll be using a mini excavator.....that ditch was way too much fun to dig by hand !
Steve....the fence has raised the value of the place far greater than what it cost !
However, if the next owners do not raise birds....the landscaping/trees will be an odd thing to deal with :grin:
Did the fencing also raise your property taxes?
Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
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Nope.
But a "blind" assessment did !
They upped it due to land prices going through the roof in AB. Then it crashes. But the taxes didn't go down !
I did not press the matter....with all the improvements I've made , if they came out here I'd likely end up paying a lot more....
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dang reeves you have somehuge pens mine are small probabbly cus i live in the outercity :sad: i would love to build something like that
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You are better off going with fewer birds, and bigger pens, than using small pens. Small pens are a disservice to the birds.
Build to suit the birds, not yourself.
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yes my aviaries are almost to big some guys tell me that my golden pens are to big and that is a reason they aren't breeding well...
Reeves I was in our farm story today and was buying feed and saw grit for sale and I was like i need to get some for some of my pens that don't have sand and what not in them (just dirt/grass floors) and then i remembered your Reeves pen with the 2x4s that made kind of a sandbox (cause i had looked at this topic a couple days ago) and I was like nope i am not going to buy grit i am going to get some sand and what not and make the sandbox Reeves did so they also can dust themselves...so i went to buy some more wood screws and that is the project for this afternoon :laugh: thanks for the idea and all the help!
PS-nice chain-link fence good work! s98
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yes my aviaries are almost to big some guys tell me that my golden pens are to big and that is a reason they aren't breeding well...
I call BS on that one ! How big are the "pens" in their natural (wild) state ? You cannot have a pen too big.
How big are your ?
Don't forget the bottom 2x4s should be treated. Untreated will rot too fast.
River sand is great for the sand, but you still need grit.
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yeah i know when that guy told me i didn't belief him they are only 216 sq. ft. that is tiny..but man the pairs are 3 years old and the males have tried hard to court but the hens seem not to want to breed..i haven't had fertil eggs..
yeah i always use treated and ok i will buy a bag and how much of a 50lb bag should i put in it....i am planning on making it 2ft. x 6ft. and 8inches high
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50lb bag of what ?
Sand ? Don't buy sand ! It's free everywhere !
Or you talking grit ? Grit area only has to be a small dish, say a foot or so square, with enough in it so it will not spill. Not that it matters.
#2 size for Pheasants and #1 size for Quail.
Going to have a few up-dated pictures of my aviaries this spring/summer !
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of grit..not sand i have a river that runs through my dad's property and i have plenty of sand....
ok 2lbs of grit for the silver pheasants
ok great can't wait to see the pictures