bmac
Veteran Member
This topic did not show the update I posted yesterday so I'm giving it a bump in case anyone is interested in seeing some brooder pics.
Chickens, and things related
- Thread starter Tororider
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OP
Tororider
Veteran Member
Bmac,
Looks like you are in the club. You have on lucky daughter!!! I think if I thought I was going to brood more than one time I would hire you to make me a brooder, that thing is sweet. I can't wait to see what you have in store for a coop and pen.
The guy that lives across the street from our farm does turkeys every year. He raises between 15-20 of them and sells them for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Said he could easily sell 40-50 of them. I like what you and Eddie are thinking of doing though. Keep the pictures and updates coming.
My newest update is that the three remaining pullets are doing well. I am doing my best to get a pen built for them so they can get outside as soon as it warms a bit. But... I found an 8x8 shed/playhouse about 40 minutes from here that the lady is selling for $75. I am racking my brain trying to figure out how to get it here. My trailer is 5' wide, I can get a wider one, but not an 8', and off the top of my head I can't find a flatbed I can pull with my F250. I am thinking for $75 I may just go and try to take it apart and rebuild it here. If you guys have any good ideas for transporting, or loading something that big, I would be much appreciative.
Looks like you are in the club. You have on lucky daughter!!! I think if I thought I was going to brood more than one time I would hire you to make me a brooder, that thing is sweet. I can't wait to see what you have in store for a coop and pen.
The guy that lives across the street from our farm does turkeys every year. He raises between 15-20 of them and sells them for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Said he could easily sell 40-50 of them. I like what you and Eddie are thinking of doing though. Keep the pictures and updates coming.
My newest update is that the three remaining pullets are doing well. I am doing my best to get a pen built for them so they can get outside as soon as it warms a bit. But... I found an 8x8 shed/playhouse about 40 minutes from here that the lady is selling for $75. I am racking my brain trying to figure out how to get it here. My trailer is 5' wide, I can get a wider one, but not an 8', and off the top of my head I can't find a flatbed I can pull with my F250. I am thinking for $75 I may just go and try to take it apart and rebuild it here. If you guys have any good ideas for transporting, or loading something that big, I would be much appreciative.
tony123
Platinum Member
WOW! and my poor little girls are growing up in a cardboard box! a small one at that. 
toro, what happened to the free tractor? Sounds like a heck of a find on the building. I've been looking for a deal like that myself, with no luck. But I have to ask, with only 3 birds I wouldn't think you'd be rushed for super accomodations? A small tractor would do the trick for three wouldn't it.
toro, what happened to the free tractor? Sounds like a heck of a find on the building. I've been looking for a deal like that myself, with no luck. But I have to ask, with only 3 birds I wouldn't think you'd be rushed for super accomodations? A small tractor would do the trick for three wouldn't it.
OP
Tororider
Veteran Member
The three tractor will be coming this weekend, but I want someplace where the kids, especially the 3.5 year old, can walk in and play/see the chickens. The tractor will work, but I am going to jump on any deal I can find, and a $75 perfect house I can't pass up if I can get it. Plus it will give me a place to put all the food and stuff in the coop, outside an already crowded garage. We will see.
Plus, there isn't anything wrong with spoiling the three chickens is there? Hehe
Plus, there isn't anything wrong with spoiling the three chickens is there? Hehe
bmac
Veteran Member
Tororider,
I didn't exactly join the club voluntarily - more like I was drafted.
Thanks for the kind words. As many man-hours as I have in that thing (most of which were head scratching and wondering what the next step should be), the R&D costs for the early adopters would be very, very high.
I don't know how things will go with my daughter raising chickens. If she likes it, I can see maybe 1 or 2 more years. By then, she'll be in middle school and who knows what interests she'll have. The big test will be next winter when she has to go do the "chicken chores" outside , in the cold and darkness before school. That may break her.
I've got about 6 weeks to get the coop and pen built. I've recently learned that I have to go through the county Planning Department for approval of the site plan and then to the Building Department for a building permit.
I pleaded with them telling them that this is for a 4H project for my daughter - not a commercial enterprise. It got potentially worse when I told her where I lived. "Oh", she said. "Thanks different. You are in a watershed district. The requirements are more strict. We've got to protect our water supply, you know." They'll probably bring in the EPA when they learn that I have a creek on my property.
My first draft of the coop plan is for a 10'x12' structure. Probably too big for the 20 bantams but my daughter is planning on large breed next year so I want to make sure I have enough room for future flocks. I drew it up in Microsoft Excel (built in grid and easy to draw straight lines). If I knew how to convert that to a picture image I would post it for comments.
That's a good find on the playhouse. I may look for something similar around here. Doubt I would have any better luck with the transprotation that you are, however.
I guess we'll learn together with the chicks. Keep posting your progress and I'll do the same.
I didn't exactly join the club voluntarily - more like I was drafted.
Thanks for the kind words. As many man-hours as I have in that thing (most of which were head scratching and wondering what the next step should be), the R&D costs for the early adopters would be very, very high.
I don't know how things will go with my daughter raising chickens. If she likes it, I can see maybe 1 or 2 more years. By then, she'll be in middle school and who knows what interests she'll have. The big test will be next winter when she has to go do the "chicken chores" outside , in the cold and darkness before school. That may break her.
I've got about 6 weeks to get the coop and pen built. I've recently learned that I have to go through the county Planning Department for approval of the site plan and then to the Building Department for a building permit.
I pleaded with them telling them that this is for a 4H project for my daughter - not a commercial enterprise. It got potentially worse when I told her where I lived. "Oh", she said. "Thanks different. You are in a watershed district. The requirements are more strict. We've got to protect our water supply, you know." They'll probably bring in the EPA when they learn that I have a creek on my property.
My first draft of the coop plan is for a 10'x12' structure. Probably too big for the 20 bantams but my daughter is planning on large breed next year so I want to make sure I have enough room for future flocks. I drew it up in Microsoft Excel (built in grid and easy to draw straight lines). If I knew how to convert that to a picture image I would post it for comments.
That's a good find on the playhouse. I may look for something similar around here. Doubt I would have any better luck with the transprotation that you are, however.
I guess we'll learn together with the chicks. Keep posting your progress and I'll do the same.
tony123
Platinum Member
I think I have a bright idea. How about calling a tow truck service with a flatbed. They run a cable down and just winch the building right up onto the truck. I'm guessing $60 or so? And if it busts up a bit, just doctor it when you get home. You could maybe even jack it up and fasten skids under it for the transport.
OP
Tororider
Veteran Member
I may call one now just to see what it would cost if they would even do it. I will let you know.
Then the problem would become, how I get it from my driveway to the back of my garage. First things first I suppose.
Then the problem would become, how I get it from my driveway to the back of my garage. First things first I suppose.
OP
Tororider
Veteran Member
Well I got a hold of one towing company and they said they would probably do it for $4 a mile. At 40 miles that doesn't seem like such a great deal. Still looking and thinking.
I am thinking that trying to take it apart might be the most feasible at this point. A conundrum
I am thinking that trying to take it apart might be the most feasible at this point. A conundrum
tony123
Platinum Member
$4 / mile !!! Remind me to break down somewhere near a mechanic! The last time I used one was back in the early 90's, and $40 got me about 30 miles.
davitk
Platinum Member
here's what a 8 x 8 x 8 shed looks like on a hay rack, 15 mph tops. I wouldn't try moving a shed more than a couple of miles, especially if you are unshure of the soundness of construction. Major PITA and you sweat every inch, loading, transporting and unloading.
