I have been raising layer and meat chickens for a few years and I am considering expanding my setup to accommodate additional poultry options like runner ducks and maybe a couple turkeys for eating. I know there are a lot of ways to go about this but I am curious to see if I can get some suggestions on infrastructure. Current setup includes a solid, winterized 8' by 8' house that the layers live in all year round. Generally we have 8-12 mixed birds. It has an attached 8' by 16' covered run that gets wrapped in plastic in the winter once there is snow on the ground. (Northern VT, it's cold up here!) These birds are also able to access a section of a large high-tunnel greenhouse from their house in mid winter. They generally won't go out into the snow. In the summer these same birds have a free range area that is protected by temporary electric fencing that I rotate around the coop to minimize destruction. I also have a second temporary fence that is used for free ranging 12-25 meat birds that live in a temporary tractor from feather out to freezer in mid summer. My idea was to add a couple runner ducks to the permanent set up and try to accommodate their housing so they can live together and to simply add a few turkeys in with the meat chickens from the start this year. I do have space and resources to expand my infrastructure and could easily expand my coop, add some additional smaller coops or runs if necessary and to create a super compound. However, it's my nature to keep things simple, and not to spend a ton of money on something that is unnecessary. I do want my foul to be happy and comfortable. Winter in particular is a concern. Winter temps dip well below zero here and snow stays on the ground for 2-3 months at least. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!
I will respond to you sir, if it makes you feel better, but I don't know what to say, except, really, you know what needs to be done.
Welcome to BYC! (ETA..oh, I see you've been a member for quite a long time, but have not participated much) Well, I think you need to be a bit more patient.....the 6 hours between your first 2 posts is not always going to be enough time get you a ton of responses. Some days can be pretty slow here on BYC. Your set up, sizing and plans sound pretty good to me. Not sure about meat chickens and turkeys together, have no experience there....might ask in the meat birds forum....tho the chickens will be ready long before the turkeys if you're going with a CornishCross. Chickens can carry blackhead which will kill turkeys, and poults can be more fragile than chicken chicks, but I have a buddy who starts the together. Never had ducks either but have read multiple stories about how their water needs can make for an unhealthy environment for chickens, so drainage and water management can be a concern.
