Jake Harper
Chicken wire is an excellent, cost-effective option for building a DIY dog pen for your RV. It is a flexible material that can be easily shaped and installed, making it a great choice for creating a custom space for your furry friend. Chicken wire is also durable and strong, providing a safe and secure environment for your dog. In addition, it blends in well with its surroundings, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing pen. By following a few simple steps and utilizing some basic tools and materials, you can construct a functional and comfortable dog pen that is perfect for your RV adventures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fence frame | Simple to build, consisting of two rails along the plywood outskirts with 21.5-inch slats in between |
| Slat height | 24 inches |
| Slat spacing | Placed vertically every two feet for an even look and rigidity |
| Chicken wire attachment | Stretched and stapled tautly to the top, bottom, and uprights of the fence |
| Cage placement | Zip-tied to the fence with wiggle room to slide in and out |
| Mobility | Can be made light and mobile for easy relocation |
| Protection | Tarps can be attached to protect from the elements |
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What You'll Learn
Building the fence frame
When measuring and cutting the wood for the frame, aim for precision to minimise scrap material. You may want to allow for a little leeway when spacing the uprights to ensure perfect spacing, especially if you need to accommodate a dog cage or other structures within the pen.
The fence frame can be constructed by assembling the rails and slats with staples and screws, ensuring a sturdy and stable structure. Once the frame is built, you can begin stretching and pulling the chicken wire to attach it securely. This process may require an extra pair of hands to help pull the wire taut while stapling.
Place staples along the top, bottom, and uprights to securely attach the chicken wire. This will create a strong and durable fence. It is recommended to wait for any paint to dry before attaching the chicken wire to avoid any mess. The thin metal wire of the chicken wire blends in, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing fence. Remember that this structure is temporary, and with careful construction, it will serve its purpose well.
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Stretching and stapling the chicken wire
Stretching chicken wire can be a tricky task, and it is recommended to have someone help you with the process. One person can hold the roll of wire while the other stretches it, allowing you to save time and energy and avoid injury. If you are working alone, it is advisable to buy shorter or lighter rolls that are easier to manage.
When stretching the chicken wire, it is important to unroll it and stop every 15 to 20 feet to stretch the wire and remove any kinks. This method may take longer, but it will result in a better fence. Walking on the unrolled wire is another effective way to stretch it out and remove any bends or kinks.
After stretching the chicken wire, you can attach it to the fence using staples. Place staples along the top, bottom, and uprights to ensure maximum strength. However, staples have some drawbacks. Over time, staples can come loose and fall out, or they may hold too tightly and rip the wire during removal. If flexibility and easy removal are important, consider alternative methods like UV-resistant zip ties, screws and washers, or wood battens or slats. These options provide more adaptability and a longer life for the wire.
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Adding rigidity with vertical slats
To add rigidity with vertical slats, start by measuring and cutting the slats to the desired height. In the example project, the vertical slats were cut to a height of 21.5 inches, making the overall height of the fence frame 24 inches, which is perfect for the chicken wire being used. The slats should be spaced evenly around the pen, providing an aesthetically pleasing look while also securing the structure tightly. In this project, the vertical slats were spaced every two feet apart, with the only irregular placement at the far end next to the cage.
Once the vertical slats are cut to the correct height and spaced evenly, they can be attached to the top rail using screws and butt joints. The top rail runs along the top outskirts of the plywood base of the pen. After securing the vertical slats to the top rail, the bottom rail can be attached. This can be done by unscrewing the bottom rail from the plywood base and then screwing it back on, ensuring that everything lines up perfectly.
With the vertical slats in place, the chicken wire can now be attached. Stretch and pull the chicken wire taut in both directions before stapling it to the vertical slats, as well as the top and bottom rails. This will ensure that there is no sagging in the fence. It may be helpful to have an extra pair of hands to assist in stretching the chicken wire while stapling.
By following these steps and adding rigidity with vertical slats, you will create a strong and secure DIY dog pen with chicken wire. The vertical slats provide structural support and a sturdy surface to attach the chicken wire, ensuring the pen can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use.
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Attaching a tarp for weather protection
When attaching a tarp for weather protection, it is important to consider the size of the tarp and the method of attachment. For a simple setup, you can use a rectangular plastic tarp and three ropes. Create a tight support rope under the tarp between opposite corners, and attach the tarp to the centre support rope with a loop, ensuring that the rope is not pulling on the tarp when tightened. The centre support rope should be tied tight and high, around 10 to 12 feet above the ground, with the remaining corners tied with ropes and pulled out. This setup provides adequate headroom, effective water drainage, and minimal trip hazards.
If you're looking for a more inclined setup, consider using aluminium or wooden plates to create a pyramid shape. This shape improves drainage, reducing strain on the tarp. You can cut the plates using a jigsaw and a metal cutting blade, and then screw anchors into a sturdy surface to mount the plates. Additionally, use heavy-duty eyebolts, carabiners, and paracord for hanging and adjusting the tarp.
For a more permanent solution, especially when covering a roof, consider using strips of wood (strapping) to secure the tarp. Nail or screw the strapping to the roof, and use sandbags, bricks, or wood to weigh down the edges of the tarp and prevent it from catching the wind. Alternatively, you can use 1x2 battens and install them with framing nails, wrapping the tarp around the battens to tighten it securely.
When choosing a tarp, consider the size and its ability to withstand weather conditions. A tarp that is too large may be difficult to manage, while a small one might not provide adequate coverage. Additionally, tarps typically do not block the wind effectively, so consider using waterproofed linen sheets as a more reliable and adjustable alternative. You can create your own durable waterproof sheet by soaking a linen paint drop in a mixture of clear silicone tubes and mineral spirits, allowing it to hang dry for 24 hours.
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Creating a removable ladder and roost
Chicken ladders are a great way to provide more roosting space for your chickens without taking up any extra square footage in the coop. They are also inexpensive and easy to build.
When designing your chicken ladder, the most important consideration is the amount of roosting space per bird, which will vary depending on the breed of chicken. Large breeds will require more space than smaller breeds. 12” per bird is a good starting point for a roost, but you can set the bars closer together at 12” centres for smaller chicken breeds. Taking this into account, each ladder section can be 27” across and 14 inches between the bars.
To build a removable ladder, you can use salvaged 1-by-1-inch deck railing slats. Begin by measuring your coop dimensions and deciding on the location of your ladder. The roost should be at least 18” above the ground, but you can go higher if you prefer. Mark the distance between the rungs on 8-foot boards, with 14-inch or 16-inch centres depending on the size of your chickens. Once the centres are marked, start screwing the roosting bars into place. You can attach the roosts by screwing from the outside of the side pieces, using two screws at each end.
If you want your ladder to be able to lift up for easy cleaning, you can attach hinges to the end of the top pieces. Once the hinges are attached to the ladder, place it on the wall where you want it and attach it by the hinges.
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Frequently asked questions
First, build a fence frame with two rails running along the outskirts of a plywood sheet. The vertical slats should be spaced every two feet to secure the fence and provide rigidity. Stretch the chicken wire and staple it to the fence frame, ensuring it is taut with no sagging.
You will need plywood, chicken wire, a staple gun, and staples. You may also need tarps, tarp straps, deck railing slats, and a hitch to provide additional protection and mobility for your dog pen.
The size of the pen will depend on the number of dogs it needs to accommodate and the available space. A sample design for a chicken tractor built from a dog kennel has dimensions of 10 feet by 10 feet.
