Things You'll Need
1/2 inch plywood (4 by 3 foot)
2 x 2 lumber (12 feet)
Wood lathes (40 feet)
Power saw
Power drill
Screwdriver or screw gun
1 inch deck screws (approx. 60)
2 inch deck screws (approx. 20)
2 hinges
1 latch
1-inch machine bolts, nuts, washers (4 each)
Tape measure
Small-scale poultry raisers often have a need to transport their animals to shows or for market. Traditionally, poultry crates are constructed of wood, although chicken wire or small gap woven wire is used to reduce the weight of the crate. Important factors in a poultry shipping cage are ease of access for placing and removing the poultry and the overall weight of the crate. The plans from the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association, an organization of free-range chicken producers, create an all wood-shipping cage.
Cut two pieces of 1/2 inch plywood 24 x 36 inches for the top and bottom of the crate with the power saw. Cut a 14 x 14 inch hole in the center of one piece. This will be the top. Keep the small piece for use in the door. Cut 10, 12-inch long pieces of 2 x 2 inch pine lumber. Cut 8, 24-inch pieces and 8, 36-inches pieces of wood lathe, light lumber about a 1/2 inch thick and 2 to 3 inches wide. Paint, if desired, all pieces before assembling the cage.
Attach strap hinges to the small panel cut as a door from the plywood sheet. Drill holes through the plywood and fasten the hinges in place with 1-inch machine bolts with locking washers. Fasten a small piece of the lathe to the underside of the larger piece of plywood opposite of the hinged side of the door openings to serve as a door stop.
Fasten, using a screwdriver or screw gun, one of the 12-inch 2 x 2 inch boards to each corner of the plywood using 2-inch deck screws. Fasten the other piece of plywood to the other end of the corner supports. Add additional 12-inch 2 x 2 inch boards as uprights spaced 1 foot from each corner. This adds two supports on the 36-inch side and one on the 24-inch side.
Fasten the lathes horizontally on all four sides of the crate. Pre-drill the lathes to prevent splitting. Evenly space four pieces on each side. Attach them, using a screwdriver or screw gun, to the 2 x 2 inch uprights with 1-inch deck screws.
Add a latch to the access door. Latch designs vary widely. Follow label instructions for fastening the latch and catch to the door and crate.
References
Photo Credits
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Chicken image by Jouke from Fotolia.com
Writer Bio
Keith Allen, a 1979 graduate of Valley City State College, has worked at a variety of jobs including computer operator, medical clinic manager, radio talk show host and potato sorter. For over five years he has worked as a newspaper reporter and historic researcher. His works have appeared in regional newspapers in North Dakota and in "North Dakota Horizons" and "Cowboys and Indians" magazines.
