Chickens, and things related

[bmac]

bmac, I realize that space is your concern, but I've been amazed at how the chickens act as a unit. I don't know if it would be any harder to take care of 50 than it is the 6 I've got. Just bigger pens and more fertilizer.

Thanks, Tony. Its the bigger pens that's holding me back more than anything.

I don't see any need for a fancier brooder unless its to make you feel better.

Admittedly, my brooder is way fancier than necessary. I do feel better because its what my daughter wanted for her "babies" and I'm happy to have been able to put a smile on her face. She saw first hand the amount of work and the number of hours I invested in HER, not the chickens. The same will be true when we build the coop next week (weather permitting).

I'm in the process now of converting my boys baby crib into a brooder. It should be large enough to house the 6 girls until they're ready for freedom.

That is an absolutely fantastic idea. I just hope you don't have plans for any more children soon.

 

[tony123]

bmac, I didn't mean to sound critical of fancy brooders, just stating that the chickens themselves don't know the difference or need them. I completely understand your reasons for investing time in your daughter and her "babies"! And I'm envious of the fancier brooders and coops. My boys are still too young to know the difference, so I can get away with it for now.

Hahaha....no more children are planned! The crib was a $50 crib from a garage sale that the boys slept in for nearly 3 years and is now falling apart and ready for this duty. I actually tried to take it to Goodwill, but they refused it saying they don't take cribs for the liability concerns. geez.

 

[bmac]

Tony,

No offense taken. After re-reading my reply, it did sound defensive. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[4720 OWNER]

So, no 'meat' chickens in the planning?

Wonder if turkeys would work in a chicken tractor?

 

[bmac]

So, no 'meat' chickens in the planning?

Wonder if turkeys would work in a chicken tractor?

No meat chickens for us. My daughter's bantam chickens are more for show as they are for a 4-H project. Maybe next year she'll opt for larger breeds. We'll see.

I'd say a chicken tractor would work for turkeys if it was a very large tractor, or if you had very small turkeys.

 

[Tororider]

This past weekend we found that my brother/sister in laws new place has a real chicken coop. The run needs a bit of work but I think if we can get that taken care of relatively soon we may try to do a batch of meat chickens this year. Only time will tell.

 

[TBDonnelly]

I'd say a chicken tractor would work for turkeys if it was a very large tractor, or if you had very small turkeys.

Would'nt that be called a turkey tractor?

bmac, I'm thinking we need to parallel this chicken project with your home building project thread.......then we can be sure the chicken coop will compliment & blend with your home.

Was this a one weekend project -or- two weekends?

Don

 

[Tororider]

Well I got the outyard pen started today while we were outside playing as a family. I am going to put crossbeams on the two long sides and attach wire mesh onto that as soon as possible. I am going to make the short end closest to you in the picture into a door. We will see how it goes.

 

[bmac]

Would'nt that be called a turkey tractor?

bmac, I'm thinking we need to parallel this chicken project with your home building project thread.......then we can be sure the chicken coop will compliment & blend with your home.

Was this a one weekend project -or- two weekends?

Don

Don,

Have you been drinkin' again? I haven't visited that thread since the last post was made almost 2 years ago until I read your post. I can't believe its been that long - seems as though we just moved in (I guess I better finish unpacking those boxes).

I was a fun thread and the TBN feedback was great. But, I was glad to see that one come to an end. It was a long 10 months. I sure hope it doesn't take me that long to get the chicken coop completed.

Although I plan to do the coop essentially by myself, I have considered asking my builder if I could "borrow" his framing crew (same ones who built my house are still with him) to build my roof. I don't like heights and I'm not too good with angles that aren't 90 degrees. They could knock it out in a couple of hours. Of course, Eddie would give me a tongue-lashing for not doing it myself.

 

[bmac]

Would'nt that be called a turkey tractor?

Don

Well, Strombergs calls it a Pastured Poultry Pen. Here's one for turkeys. PVC and chicken wire. Sit down....$705.00.