Now I know what you’re thinking… “Tanner, ain’t a pen just a pen? What’s there to talk about?”
And to that I say – heck no!
Not all pens are created equal.
A good pen keeps your chickens safe, provides space to roam, and gives them fresh air and sunshine.
So grab your work gloves and let’s dive into my favorite outdoor pen designs for every flock.
Small Yard Pens
If you’re just keeping a few hens in the city or suburbs, a compact pen is the way to go.
Some of my favorites include simple rectangle runs made from wire fencing or livestock panels.
You can make a spacious pen from just a few 16-foot panels.
I used 4 cattle panels to make a 16×8 foot pen along my backyard fence.
It gave my 5 city chickens plenty of space to scratch and peck.
U-shaped stakes pounded in the ground hold the panels upright.
Then I secured the edges with zip ties to prevent gaps.
A-frame tractor pens are also handy when space is tight.
You can move them around to give the grass a rest.
I built a mobile A-frame pen from some old windows and lumber.
It’s light enough for me to drag to a new patch of lawn each week.
Just don’t cram your girls! Overcrowding causes stress.
Give each hen 2-4 square feet of outdoor space.
More is better for active foraging and dust bathing.
My small pen provides 4 square feet per bird.
And they have plenty of room to flap around happily.
Large Pasture Pens
Homesteaders with sprawling land should build big!
Multi-acre pens allow true free-ranging and foraging.
I used cattle fencing to make a 2-acre pen – chickens love all the room.
The perimeter is over 800 feet so it takes up a nice chunk of my pasture.
I used 6 foot tall galvanized fencing secured to sturdy posts.
It lets my birds roam safely without escaping or attracting predators.
Rotationally grazed pens prevent over-pecked ground.
Divide your pasture into sections to rest each between flocks.
I partitioned my field into four 1/2 acre sections for rotation.
I move the birds to a fresh plot each season so the grass regrows.
Maximize outdoor space and natural light for healthy birds.
More room to flap wings keeps chickens active and reduces stress.
My sprawling pen provides over 200 square feet per bird.
The hens spend their days merrily foraging through the pasture.
Predator-Proof Pens
In rural areas, secure outdoor pens are a must.
Bury hardware cloth fencing at least 12 inches to thwart digging.
I dig 18-inch trenches and line them with 1/4 inch mesh.
It prevents predators like foxes from burrowing under the edges.
Use metal mesh instead of chicken wire to make pens more secure.
Chicken wire is pretty useless against predators.
They can rip right through it.
But 1/2 inch 14 gauge hardware cloth keeps varmints out.
A roofed run attached to the coop provides safety at night.
My coop connects to a fully-roofed and fenced runway.
It gives the chickens a safe outdoor space even after dark.
Automatic coop door closers prevent predators slipping in.
I installed a timer that shuts the door at dusk each night.
Fortify pens so you don’t lose birds to hawks, foxes or other predators.
Shaded Pens
Providing shade in sunny climates keeps chickens comfortable.
Trees or shade structures give relief from the hot sun.
I mounted shade cloth over half my pen for a cool retreat.
On hot summer days, the chickens congregate in the shady areas.
Misters placed in shaded spots create a cooling zone.
My hens love standing in the mist on scorching afternoons!
Water misters and fans also help beat the heat.
I have a fan near their dust bath space for a light breeze.
Make sure shaded areas are well-ventilated to prevent dampness.
Breathable roofing lets the air circulate above.
Chickens overheat easily – give them ample shade and water.
Provide at least 10 square feet of shade per bird in the pen.
All-Season Pens
In cold climates, an enclosed pen preserves warmth in winter.
Wind barriers block chilling gusts that freeze chickens.
I use a canvas tarp to protect my pen from the north wind.
Securing it to the north fencing shields against icy drafts.
Deep litter provides insulation against the frozen ground.
Regular layering of fresh bedding keeps it fluffy.
I add wood shavings weekly to maintain a nice 6 inch base.
South facing placement takes advantage of winter sun.
My pen is situated south of the coop to get sunlight.
This gives my chickens a sunny spot to warm their feathers.
Help your flock stay comfortable in any type of weather!
Chickens don’t handle cold well – give them a place to defrost.
Multi-Purpose Pens
Get creative with pens that go beyond housing chickens.
A vineyard pen lets chickens roam and prune grape vines.
Position perches between rows so hens can rest under the canopy.
They’ll nibble ripening grapes and fertilize the soil.
Or use pallets to make a pretty potager pen for vegetables.
Let your flock fertilize the garden between planted rows.
My chickens have a fenced zone around the edges of my garden.
They feast on bugs and contribute manure compost.
A divided lambing pen gives ewes and chicks separate areas.
Just add a dividing fence between pastures.
Chickens in orchards help control pests and weeds.
Free-ranging flocks keeporchards tidy and fertilized.
Take advantage of chickens’ talents with specialized pens!
Pens with Enrichments
Adding fun features makes for happier hens.
Perches let chickens roost and survey their domain.
I installed permanent roosts on each end of the pen.
Swings, ramps, and jungle gyms encourage activity.
Hens love pecking at hanging cabbages or leafy greens.
Tunnels made from drainage pipe offer a thrilling pathway.
Scatter treats in sand or loose litter for natural foraging.
Bored chickens lead to bad behaviors like feather pecking.
Keep your flock engaged with entertainment!
Mobile Pens on Wheels
Pens on wheels allow frequent position changes.
A tractor design with wheels and pull handle provides mobility.
I built a tractor pen from PVC, chicken wire, and caster wheels.
Moving daily maintains grass and reduces manure buildup.
One person can relocate lightweight tractors by hand.
Heavier ones can be towed behind an ATV or tractor.
Parking brakes or blocks prevent unwanted rolling.
Portable power sources run electricity for lighting or waterers.
With a mobile pen, small yards can support chickens!
Pens with Raised Floors
Elevating pen floors above ground has advantages.
Building on a wooden platform or wire grid deters predators.
I made a simple A-frame with a raised wire mesh floor.
Good airflow underneath keeps the ground dry.
Less contact with droppings reduces parasite issues.
Cleaning is easier without having to till soil.
Ramps provide easy entry access to the elevated pen.
Just be sure to fence off the underside to prevent hiding spots.
A few modifications let chickens roost safely off the ground.
Pens in Woodland Settings
Let your flock roam freely among the trees.
Portable electric fencing defines perimeters in forests.
I move my polywire fence to open up new foraging areas.
Provide protection from aerial predators like hawks.
Bird netting over the pen deters swooping attacks.
Clear the ground of sharp sticks and rocks for safety.
Add steps or ramps if the terrain is steeply sloped.
Install monitoring cameras to watch free-ranging chickens.
Rotate pens to prevent over-scratching around tree roots.
Your chickens will thrive in the fresh forest environment!
Pens Attached to Chicken Run
Connecting a pen to the coop’s run extends space.
Cut an opening between the run fencing and pen perimeter.
I cut a chick-sized door between my run and adjoining pen.
Use the same fencing material for visibility and security.
Bury hardware cloth at boundaries to keep diggers contained.
Multiple entry/exit points allow free movement.
I built two walk-through doors on either side.
Plant shrubs or trees around the edges for shade and beauty.
Try growing clumping berries chickens can nibble.
Let your cooped flock also enjoy time outdoors in a safe pen.
