Can I use this as a pen?

[ittybitty98577]

I have an old garden box that I was going to use for a garden, but I was thinking I could turn it into an outdoor pen. It wold work becuase my pot belly pig wont trample it down. My only concern is about birds. Any ideas for a top? I will post pictures as soon as my cam charges...

[ittybitty98577]

Here is a pic of the box. Its about a foot high from the ground.

[Toadies]

You could make a simple frame of smaller wood, like 2"x2", and cover it with chicken wire or hardware cloth (welded wire). You might want to make three or four of them and have sections covering the bed so that you have more support for the wire and so you can catch up to your piggies. Along the back you could make a frame, like a ladder, to support the back side of your topper. Are the timbers safe for your piggies, or are they treated wood or railroad ties (creosote)? It looks like a really nice place for your babies. Hope it works out for you.

[ittybitty98577]

Thats a good Idea. Um they are railroad ties. I would have to put some non treated wood in front of them. How do I tell if those plants are bad for them or not. I know they are weeds. I did just get done ripping everything out and look whats popped up. I think those big ones are dandylions. I'll just be extra safe and rip everything out AGAIN. ahhh it took two days to get it all clear.

[Toadies]

If you feel real ambitious, you could rip all the weeds out, put down landscape fabric and put in clean soil and wheat grass. OR, if you know some place that you could get some untreated (with chemicals) sod, you could just roll out the lawn. I wish that I had such a cool place for my boys to play.

[buttons]

Looks awesome. You could make a garden in there for your guinea pigs. The more grass, spanish, parsley etc. in there, the less room for unwanted weeds.

And yes, the larger weeds do seem to be dandelions. - Also healthy for guinea pigs.

[Simmonkey]

I have a pen, in a horse stable. Its almost the full stable with the walls fenced off and for a top (we live in the country and dogs roam freely, although the stables are secure we also have owls, and racoons.) I use the same thing that I used around it, thin, but heavy, steel fencing. I have part of it shaded off with some fiber glass. Plus all gaps (like the ones nexct to the top and to the other stable) are going to be fenced off.