Encouraging exercise & sanitation (Getting 'em off the ground) = cotes

[off-grid hen]

I'm going to copy those nest boxes, they're gorgeous.

 

[knjinnm]

Very nice but what if you were raising large chickens?

 

[Yashar]

Quote:
I suppose you could cut the hole a little bigger.
Notice the 2 nesting boxes in the corner in the last picture. Those have bigger openings, though it seems leaving 4 or 5 inches from the bottom of the hole keeps the nesting material in better.

I do think that they like being hidden in the boxes.

 

[knjinnm]

I was referring to the entire setup, some of my girls would have a real challenge hopping from perch to perch to get to a net box that high.

 

[Yashar]

Quote:
Right, sorry 'bout that.

I guess I'll let you know if a few months. We have Black Copper Marans and a couple Jersey Giant hens that are getting pretty big pretty fast, but so far they aren't having a problem navigating the tree structure they roost in in their aviary.

This is a pick of the tree structures with last years brooder mates hanging out.

 

[NBarnes]

What kind of concerns are associated with tree structures such as the one in that shot? Our ranch is on the edge of a fairly significant forest preserve, so I have access to plenty of deadfall that I could use. Are there biosecurity concerns with using that kind of material? Would they need to be prepped (the branches in the shot appear to be stripped)?

 

[Yashar]

I was just using the tree structure as an example of what the heavier breeds I have are capable of navigating so far as pullets. The concern was mainly of an inability of heavier breeds getting into high places, such as a nesting box or perhaps a feeding table that requires a bit of acrobatics.

As far a prep work. The goats took care of any bark on the cypress limbs, but just used whatever else we had available. I'm not aware of anything that would be bad to use. Oh, the only reason I had the goats strip the bark was because they like it so much....

 

[Yashar]

These shots were taken in the evening as they're getting ready for bed.

This group consists of Black Australorps, Black Copper Marans, Jersey Giants, and a few Leghorns
My bet is that they will continue to roost up high even when fully matured.

This group is only a week or two behind. They are lighter breeds.

 

[ChristineR]

Quote:
I have a question about the link you listed above. I don't actually have chickens yet, but plan to get some eggs to hatch in September. I'm just reading and absorbing as much info as I can at this point. Anyway, my question is this: why is this food you linked to "an optimal diet." The first ingredient is corn gluten meal. I firmly believe that the closer your food is to "whole," the better. In other words, the less something is processed, the healthier it is. What is it about this food that makes it so good?

I ran into this food a day or two ago, as well (I think there was a link to it in an article in the BYC newletter...?), but dismissed it because of the ingredients. I'm just wondering why you think it's better than other foods out there.

 

[ChristineR]

Quote:
I wouldn't think cedar would be good, though -- or yew, black walnut, hemlock, or any poisonous tree. I don't know much about chickens yet, but I do have other animals and I know that there are certain kinds of wood bedding to avoid.

Wouldn't you want to avoid those with chickens, too?