Hi guys! Super busy as well! Just made a new open for some BB Turkeys coming after July 4th. Planted some sorghum in the run for shade and something to snack on. We’ll see how it goes
I like to use pumpkins and watermelons around this time. Depending on your zone another awesome one I have is passionfruit! Cool flowers and you can eat them.
I also have rambling roses.
No matter what you plant you’ll have to protect to about the 2’ mark. A small piece of leftover...
on my fencing I like to use pumpkins. They grow big and viney and once they bloom and fruit you can feed pumpkin pretty much to all of your animals and yourself.
Another good one is rambling roses. Chickens will eat it so you have to protect it but you can use a small barrier around it...
LOVE STORY 12' x 16' Rectangle... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072P5PX5C?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Don’t wrap in a tarp. I wrapped mine in a shade cloth. I’m in Arizona and this one has lasted me 3 years and still going. From 95-105 I just use box fans to move air. 105+ you have to use misters.
You’re correct. Most of the cattle panels are 4”X4”. Yes a coyote or bigger animal can’t get threw but they could reach through.
I have a malinois that I was afraid she’d stick her snout in. So I put 2’ around the bottom so I didn’t have to worry about it.
you’re correct. I put 2’ around the...
My friend in Ajo uses hoop coops as well. He has bobcats, mountain lions, and coyotes. He hasn’t had an issue. Just use hardware cloth (not chicken wire) to reinforce it. The hoops keep big animals out. When I said mine isn’t super predator proof. I could still have raccoons or rats get...
HOMENOTE Misting Cooling System,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G33MVJ1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I used these in my hoops at the very top. I only run them during the day. The ground gets a litttle muddy but water on the ground helps cool chickens. Id rather have cool muddy live chickens...
Yeah and I have a flock with bielefelders. They like it cause they don’t have to jump up into a nesting box and gives them a little extra room to move around. Works great. Plastic is also easy to clean and sanitize is needed
The “coop” is one of those ones sold at box stores that better...
Those dog boxes and partial “coop” are used for nesting boxes or something for my girls to jump up on. I just have the 2x4s for roosting bar.
The only time I feel bad is during monsoon season. I’m sure the rain feels good but the wind can be rough. Hence the plywood back and the block wall...
I’m in Buckeye. Hoop coops and shade cloth. In the winter time I wrap it with a solid tarp. It’s not a perfect set up but I let my birds free range at the day. I have misters in there for the summer time.
Awww thats awesome! I’m glad you took my advice! I still love mine.
I also really enjoy Buckeyes. Similar to a RIR but much more “tiny dinosaur” like. They don’t lay as good as RIR but their eggs are similar in size to Bielefelder.
I have Bielefelder sand they are awesome. They definitely look similar as well. I have a rooster about a year old. I did the hands off approach. I had one bout of aggression which was dealt with swiftly and we are all good again.
I haven’t had Orpington. I considered getting one just for the broodiness.
i currrently have 1Biel rooster and 4 Biel hens in my flock. I think they are fantastic. My only complaint is mine want a BIG nesting box to lay in. But these birds are HUGE! Pictures don’t do justice and my rooster is...
I have bielefelders that I love. Huge birds. Pretty coloring. Not barnevelders but bielefelders.
also they are kinda plain but I love my Buckeye Chickens too!
Can you see if they make clear sheets of plexiglass that would fit? It wouldn’t be the cheapest but might be an option? This isn’t exactly what I had in mind but it’s definitely an option.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/OPTIX-0-118-in-T-x-48-in-W-x-96-in-L-Clear-Acrylic-Sheet/1001053294
I’m partial to the Bielefelder. Huge birds that are gentle giants and have great coloring.
I would also pick the buckeye Chicken. Great foragers, do well in both cold and heat (AZ Dry heat)
another cool one is the turken.