Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Chris09]

Quote:
The Rodless Bobs would fasten to the top frame of the nest box and the net box opening has to be a little smaller than the bobs are long so that the bobs will swing in but not out.

I have use barrels and liked them a lot. The think that you want to remember is that you want a swivel in the tether and you will want to use the Stag Hitch on your hens.
If I remember right on the tether,

5' tether walk equals an 8' x 10' pen
6' tether walk equals an 8' x 14' pen
9' tether walk equals an 12' x 20' pen
12' tether walk equals an 16' x 28' pen

A acre of land will handle 100 birds on 9' tether walk or 200 birds on a 6' tether walk.

Chris

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
six fingers? Um, isn't that about the size of human cervix fully dilated ready to give birth?

At 10 centimeters (3.93700787 inches) the human cervix is completely dilated.

That is about 4 1/2 fingers on me.

Edited to add human


Chris

 

[centrarchid]

Chris,

Thanks. Over next couple years an acre will be set aside for holding males on 12' teathers. Will keep number to no more than 25 birds to so pasture can be rotated. I am all about rotation.

Following figure of breeding pen in works.

Perimeter is livestock panels. Doghouse no longer to be used since dog has way to get in and out an free ranging rooster will be to far away to visit. Only 12 hens will be used at a time, not 14 as shown.

I will use 6' tethers for hens. How is tether attached to barrel?

Where can I purchase stag hitchs?

Jim

 

[Chris09]

centrarchid,
Hilltop feed store
There Stag Hitches run 18.00 a dozen.
You can also get the Swivel there.


Chris

 

[OwensMom]

Cedntrar, I'm pretty sure that this is a stupid question but why are you tethering roosters(hens?). Looks like a pretty efficient setup but what will it gain you? I'm behind the curve but trying to catch up. Thanks

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
Are you guys all trying to misspell my name?


For roosters trying keep them apart under low stress conditions in part to keep them in top feather condition. Also helps spread grazing load more uniformly across pasture.

For hens known parentage on dam / hen side needed since each repressents specific genetics I am trying to evaluate. Each hen will have her own blue barrel to lay eggs in. I collect deposited eggs daily. Evaluation requires all chicks to be of same age. Similar age also cuts down on number of cohorts to be raised. They can not be mixed in my limited brooder space. It is my theory that hens on tether will be less stressed and come closer to giving an egg each day during 10 day collection interval than they will confined in a mating pen. Each cohort produced by the group of 12 hens will also be sired by same rooster so chicks will be either half or full siblings. This enables better comparison between hens. Hens will be covered by different roosters at roughly 6 week intervals so each hen produce broods by four different roosters in a production season.

All this cheaper than a huge number of breeding pens where rooster would have to be moved around daily. I already have 18 breeding pens and they are pain in butt.

 

[Taylor]

this is one of mine

this is one of my barred rocks and another rhode island red pullet

these are part of the Connatser's flock, as adults

 

[OwensMom]

Quote:
Are you guys all trying to misspell my name?


For roosters trying keep them apart under low stress conditions in part to keep them in top feather condition. Also helps spread grazing load more uniformly across pasture.

For hens known parentage on dam / hen side needed since each repressents specific genetics I am trying to evaluate. Each hen will have her own blue barrel to lay eggs in. I collect deposited eggs daily. Evaluation requires all chicks to be of same age. Similar age also cuts down on number of cohorts to be raised. They can not be mixed in my limited brooder space. It is my theory that hens on tether will be less stressed and come closer to giving an egg each day during 10 day collection interval than they will confined in a mating pen. Each cohort produced by the group of 12 hens will also be sired by same rooster so chicks will be either half or full siblings. This enables better comparison between hens. Hens will be covered by different roosters at roughly 6 week intervals so each hen produce broods by four different roosters in a production season.

All this cheaper than a huge number of breeding pens where rooster would have to be moved around daily. I already have 18 breeding pens and they are pain in butt.

Sorry about misspelling your name Centrar. I'm a lousy typist. I had an ahha moment!! Read about this on site of someone who breeds white plymount rocks. He used the breeding pens numbered 1-4. Same premise. I'dd love to read about your progress.

 

[WallTenters]

Yes a 6 finger hen is possible. Read the book, lots of good info there.

 

[WallTenters]

You're going to have a 1:12 ratio on your breeding birds? I wonder how your fertility will be... especially since all the hens will be spread out on that area - the roo would have to be running his feathers off to cover them all.