Flight Pen ConstructionFlight Pen ConstructionBy Chris TheisenBy Chris Theisen

OUR GOAL:OUR GOAL: Build 24 acres of pens in 5 months

1,045,440 square feet1,045,440 square feet 1900 posts to put in the ground1900 posts to put in the ground 4 ½ miles of wire to stretch4 ½ miles of wire to stretch 11 ½ miles of cable to run11 ½ miles of cable to run 2 ½ miles of trench to dig2 ½ miles of trench to dig 20,000 staples to pound20,000 staples to pound ½ million rings to install½ million rings to install 1 ½ miles of water line to hang1 ½ miles of water line to hang 150 gates to build and hang150 gates to build and hang

Before you do anything…Before you do anything………Look at the layout – make plans for the Look at the layout – make plans for the

future future

……Plan on expanding even if you don’t Plan on expanding even if you don’t have any plans to do sohave any plans to do so

……Research and ask questions – there are Research and ask questions – there are a lot of ideas out therea lot of ideas out there

Site PreparationSite Preparation It’s easier before the pens go upIt’s easier before the pens go up

Know the entire layout of the pens Know the entire layout of the pens before doing ANYTHING.before doing ANYTHING.

Important part of the process – DON’T Important part of the process – DON’T overlook itoverlook it

Don’t overlook the roads

Start by pounding the postsStart by pounding the posts

Hang the cable…

…Then you can stretch the wire

WIRE INSTALLATIONWIRE INSTALLATION Efficient, Simple, and ReliableEfficient, Simple, and Reliable

Work smart, not hardWork smart, not hard

Efficiency saves moneyEfficiency saves money

Don’t give up on initial ideas – Don’t give up on initial ideas – improve upon themimprove upon them

Beveled so wire does not get caught

One person can put wire on the pipe with the rollers

Flatbed allows us to carry multiple rolls

Hinged so pipe can lay on the rollers

Plate with bearings underneath

7 minutes to 7 minutes to installinstallone roll of wireone roll of wire

Run the division fences firstRun the division fences first

Then run the perimeter wireThen run the perimeter wire

Stretch the wire tightStretch the wire tight

DIGGING TRENCHESDIGGING TRENCHESMany different ideas and approachesMany different ideas and approaches

trenchertrencher Excavator Excavator shovelshovel

Come up with a different ideaCome up with a different idea

Transition from 6’ division fence to 7’ laneTransition from 6’ division fence to 7’ lane

Stretch the lane wire last

Easier to install gates BEFORE fence and netting are up

Joyce Hangers for Headers

Lane GatesLane Gates

Channel iron to support kick boards

NETTINGNETTING

Differences in Knotted vs. Woven netsDifferences in Knotted vs. Woven nets

Differences in Nylon vs. Polyethylene Differences in Nylon vs. Polyethylene netsnets

Important to get 1Important to get 1stst net up square net up square

Run the water line

Notice water line on outside of penNotice water line on outside of pen

Plant pens BEFORE pens are finishedPlant pens BEFORE pens are finished

Add feeders BEFORE installing the nettingAdd feeders BEFORE installing the netting

October 15th, 2006October 15th, 200624 Acres of pens – complete!24 Acres of pens – complete!

Remember…Remember…Improve on existing procedures Improve on existing procedures

Keep an open mindKeep an open mind

Talk to people – get their inputTalk to people – get their input

Work smart – not hardWork smart – not hard