Ring Farm Eggs: Build Your Own Setup

Ring farming is a method of raising laying hens in a mobile, floorless pen that is moved daily across pasture. You can build a ring farm egg setup yourself with basic materials, and it gives you fresh eggs while improving your soil. This article explains what ring farming is, how to build the pen, and how to manage the birds for healthy eggs.

Formula

The calculator works out the floor area of a circular pen and the number of hens it can hold. The area of a circle is:

Area = π × (diameter ÷ 2)²

where diameter is the pen width in feet (or meters). The maximum hens is the floor area divided by the space you want per hen. The stocking rate converts that to hens per acre (1 acre = 43,560 sq ft).

Worked Example

Using the defaults: flock size = 20 hens, pen diameter = 10 ft, space per hen = 4 sq ft.

1. Pen radius = 10 ÷ 2 = 5 ft
2. Area = 3.14159 × 5² = 78.5 sq ft
3. Max hens = floor(78.5 ÷ 4) = 19 hens (so 20 hens would be slightly over the 4 sq ft guideline)
4. Stocking rate = 20 ÷ (78.5 ÷ 43560) = 20 ÷ 0.001802 = 11,098 hens per acre

That stocking rate is extremely high because a 10-ft pen is tiny relative to an acre. In practice, ring farms use much larger pens or move them frequently.

What Is Ring Farming?

Ring farming, also called a “chicken tractor� or “day-range pen,� uses a portable, bottomless enclosure. The pen is moved once or twice a day so the birds get fresh grass, bugs, and sunlight. The manure drops directly onto the pasture, fertilizing it naturally. Unlike a stationary coop, a ring pen never lets manure build up in one spot, which reduces odors, flies, and disease pressure.

The name “ring� comes from the common circular shape, but square and rectangular pens work too. The key is that it is floorless and movable.

How a Ring Farm Works

You place the pen on a patch of grass, put the hens inside with food and water, and let them scratch and forage for the day. At dusk, you either move the pen to fresh ground or let the hens roost inside a small shelter within the pen. The next morning, you slide the pen forward a few feet. The hens get new forage, and the old patch gets a dose of manure and tilled soil.

Typical components of a ring pen:

• Frame: PVC pipe, metal conduit, or wood – must be light enough to drag.
• Wire mesh: 1-inch hardware cloth or chicken wire on the sides and top to keep predators out.
• Roof: Corrugated plastic, tarpaulin, or shade cloth for rain and sun protection.
• Door: A small access flap for you to reach in for eggs and feed.
• Nest boxes: A few dark, sheltered spots where hens lay.
• Water and feeder: Hanging or ground-level, but must be moved with the pen.

Building Your Own Ring Pen

You can build a simple ring pen in a weekend. Here is a basic plan for a 10-ft diameter pen that holds about 15–20 hens.

1. Cut the frame: Use 10-ft lengths of 1/2-inch PVC pipe. Form a circle by bending and joining them with couplings. For a more rigid frame, use metal conduit bent into a circle.
2. Attach the wire: Wrap 4-ft tall hardware cloth around the frame. Secure with zip ties or wire. Leave a 6-inch skirt at the bottom that lies flat on the ground – this prevents digging predators.
3. Add the roof: Cover the top with bird netting or a solid panel. If you use a solid roof, angle it so rain runs off.
4. Install a door: Cut a 2-ft square in the side, hinge it with zip ties, and add a latch.
5. Add nest boxes: Attach a small wooden box or plastic crate to the inside, lined with straw.
6. Place feeders and water: Hang them from the top or set them on a brick to keep them off the ground.

Make sure the pen is light enough for one person to drag. If it is too heavy, add wheels or use a sled base.

Choosing the Right Size and Materials

The general space guideline for pastured poultry is 2–4 square feet per hen inside the pen. A 10-ft diameter circle gives 78.5 sq ft, so it holds about 19 hens at 4 sq ft each. If you want more hens, increase the diameter or use a rectangular pen. For example, a 10×10 ft square gives 100 sq ft – enough for 25 hens at 4 sq ft each.

Material choices affect durability and cost:

• PVC pipe: Cheap, lightweight, but can crack in cold weather or under heavy snow.
• Metal conduit: Stronger, but heavier and requires a pipe bender.
• Wood: Sturdy but heavy and may rot with moisture.
• Hardware cloth: Better predator protection than chicken wire; use 1/2-inch mesh for the bottom skirt.

For the roof, a solid panel provides shade and rain protection, but it can make the pen hot in summer. A shade cloth or partial cover allows airflow.

Managing the Flock and Eggs

Hens need fresh water and a balanced layer feed, even when they forage. Move the pen every day or every other day, depending on grass growth and manure load. If the grass is short, move more frequently to avoid bare soil. In wet weather, move to higher ground to prevent mud and disease.

Eggs are laid in the nest boxes. Collect them daily, especially in hot weather. Store eggs at room temperature for up to a month, or refrigerate them. Wash eggs only right before use, as washing removes the protective bloom.

Watch for signs of stress or illness: reduced egg production, feather loss, or lethargy. Provide grit (small stones) to help digestion, and oyster shell for strong eggshells.

Common Problems and Solutions

Ring farming is simple, but issues arise:

• Predators: Raccoons, foxes, and hawks can attack. Use hardware cloth, a secure top, and a bottom skirt. Move the pen to open areas where predators are less likely.
• Overgrazing: If the pen stays too long, the grass dies. Move it daily and rotate pasture areas.
• Heat stress: In summer, provide shade and cool water. Move the pen to a shaded spot in the afternoon.
• Egg breakage: Hens may lay on the ground if nest boxes are not inviting. Keep them dark and clean.
• Manure buildup: If the pen is too small or not moved, manure accumulates. Increase space per hen or move more often.

Costs and Comparisons

A DIY ring pen can cost $100–$300 in materials, depending on size and quality. Commercial models run $400–$1,000. The main ongoing costs are feed, water, and bedding for nest boxes. Compared to a stationary coop, a ring pen saves on cleaning time and bedding, but requires daily moving.

Ring farming vs. free-ranging: Free-ranging hens roam freely but are vulnerable to predators and may damage gardens. Ring farming gives controlled access to pasture while keeping the flock safe. It also concentrates manure, which can be an advantage if you want to fertilize specific areas.

Safety and Hygiene

Always wash your hands after handling hens or eggs. Keep the pen clean to reduce disease. Avoid feeding hens table scraps that are high in salt or fat. Provide clean water daily. If you see signs of illness, isolate the bird and consult a veterinarian.

For eggs, the USDA recommends cooking them until the yolk and white are firm. Do not eat eggs from hens that appear sick or have been exposed to toxins. Store eggs at 40°F (4°C) or below if you refrigerate them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hens can I keep in a 10-foot ring pen?

A 10-ft diameter circle has 78.5 sq ft. At 4 sq ft per hen, that’s about 19 hens. If you give 3 sq ft, you can keep 26, but more space is better for health and egg production.

Do I need a coop inside the ring pen?

Not necessarily. If you move the pen daily, hens can roost on perches inside the pen. However, a small shelter or nest box area provides protection from weather and a dark place to lay.

How often should I move the ring pen?

Move it every day or every two days, depending on grass height and manure accumulation. If the grass is eaten down to the soil, move sooner. In lush pasture, you can leave it for two days.

Can I use a ring pen for meat birds?

Yes, the same concept works for broilers. They need more space per bird (about 1–2 sq ft) and grow quickly. Move them daily to keep them healthy.

What is the best wire for a ring pen?

Hardware cloth with 1/2-inch mesh is best for the sides and bottom skirt because it keeps out weasels and rats. Chicken wire is cheaper but not as predator-proof.

How do I keep the pen from blowing away in wind?

Add weight to the bottom edge, such as cinder blocks or sandbags. You can also stake the pen down with tent stakes. A solid roof can act like a sail, so use a mesh or partial cover in windy areas.

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in t | Flock size | hens | 20 | 0
in d | Pen diameter | ft | 10 | 1
in a | Space per hen | sq ft/hen | 4 | 1
out area | Pen area | sq ft | 3.14159 * (d/2)^2 | 1
out capacity | Max hens per pen | hens | floor(area / a) | 0
out stocking | Stocking rate | hens/acre | t / (area / 43560) | 0