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My only problem with the roost is how LARGE it really is. It takes up a space of about 12ft x 5ft. The original plan was to section that part off for broiler birds, though I'm thinking abotu Chantecleres which are supposed to be dual purpose birds. Maybe I'll half it? Thanks for the note on square wood, I couldn't remember if it was okay to be square. Is there a thickness that should be considered?
I got my first Chanteclers last May. I have around 10 pullets and so far have been getting 1 (ONE!!!!) egg every few days. They are beautiful, not very large, friendly, slow-growing and slow to lay. The Cockeral isn't very large at all. Our Australorp boy is almost twice his size. Love them and they are very winter hardy which is why I decided on that breed. We get many, many days nights and even a few days in the negative temps here in winter.
The building looks to have tons of potential. I would empty it, rip out all water damaged wood then spray everything with Oxine - a great disinfectant. The nest boxes could be used with cleaning, disinfecting and possibly even painting unless you want to go with ones that can be collected from outside or from a hall/storage area. Seems the building is plenty big enough to be able to separate a work/storage area, makes life much easier to have supplies in the same building when it's raining, snowing, etc.
Interesting.... My Buff & Red Chanteclers and my Buff Orps. were hatched around May 3rd. They finally started laying and I was getting a max of 9 eggs per day, until one of the Red Chants. went broody. Now the max egg count is 8 eggs a day. Sigh.....
I really am pleased with the Chanteclers. I want more!
