Brooder box - Page 2

Thank you, both!

I would love to allow them to free range...but given the predators I want other options, too.  I'm browsing MotherEarthNews for their plans for a lightweight moveable run/coop.  This way they could forage safely.  A more permanent run depends on what we decide for a permanent coop. 

I'm kind of overwhelmed right now - but really - some sturdy wood, some sturdy wire and the right size specs and I shouldn't have to have a degree in engineering or a lottery ticket.  Or am I way off base?

Anyway - thank you for the ideas for the box!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmernyer 

Thank you, both!

 

I would love to allow them to free range...but given the predators I want other options, too.  I'm browsing MotherEarthNews for their plans for a lightweight moveable run/coop.  This way they could forage safely.  A more permanent run depends on what we decide for a permanent coop. 

 

I'm kind of overwhelmed right now - but really - some sturdy wood, some sturdy wire and the right size specs and I shouldn't have to have a degree in engineering or a lottery ticket.  Or am I way off base?

 

Anyway - thank you for the ideas for the box!

It sounds like a tractor would be perfect for you =] That is what i use to keep all of my young ones in...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tractor

with a chicken tractor, the chickies can still get fresh grass, bugs, etc, but still be protected from predators....

Hope this helps..

Yes!   Thank you!  I was originally thinking this:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/do-it-yourself/portable-chicken-coop-zm0z12amzmat.aspx

If only so that I could move it around by myself.  So many options my head is spinning!

Meanwhile - I  apologize for hijacking this thread!!

I love the tractor option. I built my first, 8'x3' for 3 chickens, out of 2"x4"s and hardware cloth. Hardware cloth is great, 2"x4"s are not. It'll last through the next hundred years, for sure.

The next I built 8'x8' for 6-8 chickens. 2"x3" is made of a much lighter wood and I used zip ties to attach the hardware cloth (WONDERFUL). This one isn't mobile, but it's worked for its purposes here (I'm on a rental property and it's easy to disassemble).

I just built a 6'x4' A-frame for 3 bantams out of some pieces of shipping crate, scrap wood and chicken wire. The chicken wire isn't sturdy enough - something got one of the chicks that stuck its neck out - I wish I had more hardware cloth available. I solved the "nighttime intruder" issue by tarping and boarding the sides of the A-frame at night. This also helps keep the heat in, as the chicks are 4-5 weeks and still on a heat lamp because it's in the 40s at night.

My point is, anything will work for the chickens, it's just a matter of learning what works best for you. I wish my immobile coop was taller so I could walk in and clean it, I wish the first one was lighter so it could move more easily, and I wish I had different materials for the A-frame... but I get better and better at it each time.

And it doesn't take an engineering degree... but it does help to have one
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmernyer 

Thank you, both!

 

I would love to allow them to free range...but given the predators I want other options, too.  I'm browsing MotherEarthNews for their plans for a lightweight moveable run/coop.  This way they could forage safely.  A more permanent run depends on what we decide for a permanent coop. 

 

I'm kind of overwhelmed right now - but really - some sturdy wood, some sturdy wire and the right size specs and I shouldn't have to have a degree in engineering or a lottery ticket.  Or am I way off base?

 

Anyway - thank you for the ideas for the box!