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Thanks rtroxel. Yes, I want to have separate coop areas and runs divided off for dorkings only. I hadn't realized that i would have to keep separate areas for roosters and hens until this morning when I was reading through this informative thread. I'm almost done reading it and will probably start over once I'm done lol. Have been writing names and information down. I want to have a clue before I ask too many questions and sorry for asking questions there are already answers to.
It won't be a problem dividing the field into different sections for hens, roosters and different dated batches. Knowing all this stuff helps me figure out what i need thanks for the advice!
Since I should have been able to cull twice by the time they are 10 weeks the original 100 chicks numbers will be somewhat diminished. Might take 3 or more batches to end up with 100 finishers. That would be 6 different runs. It would probably take me a year or 2 to get to the point that I can even kick out enough chicks to end up with 100 finishers. I guess I'll just have to build something big enough to grow into.
I'm not an expert on free ranging by any means but I was thinking that 120 sq feet per bird would allow enough space for birds to feed on bugs and grass etc. Wasn't sure, that's why I asked, sorry to have started such a stir folks.... Kind of want to create a more old school traditional kind of farm set up similar to how Yellow House free ranges if possible. I know not everybody has the space to offer 100 birds to properly free range while not overworking the land. The more I think about it, it's probably not enough to sustain a flock for 6 months. Of course we will feed them before roost time but want them to work the land like a heritage breed is supposed to. To me it seems just as important to give the birds the kind of environment and life they were bred to have and live, like real utility birds....
I also believe the birds mostly need to use the coop as a roost but it's also where I have always kept my birds feed and water. When it's cold and snow is on the ground my birds have never cared for venturing out of the coop unless we toss table scraps into the run area. I also know if you make the coop too large the birds will get cold during the winter months. So the 1 bird per 2-3 sq feet rule works pretty good here for winter, just wondering it that would be sufficient for dorkings. I will definitely need to keep the breeder birds in smaller coops for the winter. Will I still need to keep the different batches separated through the winter months?
Sorry If I'm being too pesky and thanks again for your advice.
