HoboTim
In the Brooder
- Oct 26, 2017
- 7
- 17
- 27
Hello BYC!
Well, I must say, I have read more about chickens in last couple weeks then I ever thought I would. My wife Cynthia, and I (Tim) are late 50's "empty nester's" living in a rural, equestrian, area of Las Vegas, NV. The property we have was once used to stable and corral horses, but has not had any for several years now. We are considering (have decided) we would like to convert (adapt?) one of the horse stables into a chicken run and coop and get some girls to make us breakfast.
I have read a number of articles discussing this type of conversion, but they all seem to refer to a stall inside a barn, which is not my case. I have a freestanding 24x24 structure with 10' roof that was separated into 2 12x24 stalls. The structure is steel framed metal sided, sound and completely enclosed on 3 sides. the open side faces north, so the inside is always in shade. on the open side where the horse railing is I intend to use lumber and 1/2 inch hardware cloth to completely enclose up to the roof one of the two stalls. It has dirt floor.
We are considering 10 birds for the area and plan to add nests and roosts inside. I have attached a couple photos of the area under consideration with NO improvements yet begun.
I am open to any and all comments and suggestions from the experienced out there so that I can know if this is a reasonable venture and avoid any obvious pitfalls that might be pointed out.
Much Thanks
HoboTim
Well, I must say, I have read more about chickens in last couple weeks then I ever thought I would. My wife Cynthia, and I (Tim) are late 50's "empty nester's" living in a rural, equestrian, area of Las Vegas, NV. The property we have was once used to stable and corral horses, but has not had any for several years now. We are considering (have decided) we would like to convert (adapt?) one of the horse stables into a chicken run and coop and get some girls to make us breakfast.
I have read a number of articles discussing this type of conversion, but they all seem to refer to a stall inside a barn, which is not my case. I have a freestanding 24x24 structure with 10' roof that was separated into 2 12x24 stalls. The structure is steel framed metal sided, sound and completely enclosed on 3 sides. the open side faces north, so the inside is always in shade. on the open side where the horse railing is I intend to use lumber and 1/2 inch hardware cloth to completely enclose up to the roof one of the two stalls. It has dirt floor.
We are considering 10 birds for the area and plan to add nests and roosts inside. I have attached a couple photos of the area under consideration with NO improvements yet begun.
I am open to any and all comments and suggestions from the experienced out there so that I can know if this is a reasonable venture and avoid any obvious pitfalls that might be pointed out.
Much Thanks
HoboTim
