Free range coop

[JackE]

We have a 20 acre plot of land. Will the birds free range everywhere or will I need to move the coop?

If you are talking about a coop for 500 birds, you ain't moving that anywhere. Where you build it, is where it will stand. On pg-64 of the old book I gave the link for, you can view a giant Wood's coop for 2000 layers. Wow.

 

[wwarren8200]

Ok so I need to have a fenced in plot and or moveable coop. What do I do about coyotes?

 

[JackE]

Ok so I need to have a fenced in plot and or moveable coop. What do I do about coyotes?

Run a hot wire around the perimeter of your fence. I use electrified poultry net, but you are talking about a MUCH bigger area, a lot more $$$.

 

[centrarchid]

Ok so I need to have a fenced in plot and or moveable coop. What do I do about coyotes?

Once you get into the realm you are considering with free-range birds, dogs plus the fencing are the way to go. The birds are going to really chew up you pasture if not moved about.

 

[wwarren8200]

The only problem is I'm not out there to keep a dog out there as the location is about 30 min from my house.

 

[centrarchid]

The only problem is I'm not out there to keep a dog out there as the location is about 30 min from my house.

Best dogs for job require less oversight than the birds will require, especially once dogs are mature. The logistics issue you indicate means you are better off enclosing flock in a building. Free-range chickens need rapid response when things go bad. They are not as tough as cattle and horses.

 

[wwarren8200]

Well then my backup plan would be one really big coop with 10 equal sized runs and the coop would be divided into 10 so then I could have multiple sections for breeds quarantine etc. Do you have any pics of something like that?

 

[centrarchid]

Well then my backup plan would be one really big coop with 10 equal sized runs and the coop would be divided into 10 so then I could have multiple sections for breeds quarantine etc. Do you have any pics of something like that?

You might be able to find someone operating hatchery that is set up like that although most I have seen use the all in all out approach rather than quarantine units.

I will be doing similar although on a smaller scale than you with only a single breed. Site is near home and will also employ dogs.

 

[RumAndCoconuts]

We are on several acres but every time i let the birds out they head straight to the house. The deck, the fish pond, the garden....they NEVER use all the space.

argh....

 

[centrarchid]

We are on several acres but every time i let the birds out they head straight to the house. The deck, the fish pond, the garden....they NEVER use all the space. 

argh....

I beat that problem by growing up some patches of heavy vegetation in areas I want them in. Then I place feeding stations there. They have access to shade, sun, windbreaks and cover from eyes of predators. In the areas that are well manicured lawn, they act as if they are on a hotplate moving across quickly to areas of interest. Chickens are edge species, take advantage of that.