Freedom Rangers like to sleep outside at night.

[burntmuch]

Ive got 16 FRs in a 12X20 pen, with a coop inside. Every night for 2 weeks I would put them in the coop. They prefer to sleep outside.. So be it. Its been cold here too. They look healthy & happy, so I just let them sleep outside. 2 weeks they go to freezer camp ,so maybe their just trying to get used to the cold

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
I can get mine to got to roost in a tub on exposed ground but apperantly it can be moved only so far each night, otherwise they seem not to recognize it as their roost. If tub not were it supposed to be, they roost on gorund near its location on previous night.

 

[anthonyjames]

Centrarchid,

I am sure you could make a structure that large but come winter what will you do or were will you put it so that you don't get snow/ice damage.

Also, I run about 150 birds in each paddock. All paddocks are separate and the age difference is 3 weeks between each 150. So come April/May time I process once every three weeks until normally Sept/Oct. This year I took a gamble and went until next Tuesday. Weather has been a blessing. Otherwise I would have had to move this last batch into a 40 x 40 coop and do a lot of cleaning every day.

The other issue with that size is do you plan on moving it daily?

I can tell you that each paddock has 3 tractors. And the do float around which ones they want to be in or not. 2 of the 3 are tarpped on 3 sides, one is only tarpped over the top and sides and not the ends. And in hot weather I was finding them mostly in the house with no tarp on the ends. As the weather has changed the Turkeys stay in that one and chickens moved more towards the other tractors. But there is not rhyme or reason.

And I would invest in poultry netting. It is a savior. And one net is 164 ft long. Which equates to approx 40 x 40 = 1/4 acre of pasture. I use 2 fences per area and run a battery.

I use the following without electric close by:
http://www.kencove.com/fence/detail.php?code=EKB3P It will run upto 12 poutry fences. I have only run up to 10 since I don't want to max.

Where I do I have electric I run this to my netting:
http://www.kencove.com/fence/detail.php?code=EXD3

And I have purchased netting from Premier Fence but I prefer the netting from Kencove.

http://www.kencove.com/fence/Electric+Net+Fencing_detail_NPCG.php

And since I plan on running pigs or goats next year the same fencing will work great.

As a side note here is another type of tractor I was thinking of building but instead of using EMT I would use Electrical pvc
http://userpages.bright.net/~fwo/sub10.html



Hope that helps.

 

[centrarchid]

anthonyjames,

Definantly helps!

I am sure you could make a structure that large but come winter what will you do or were will you put it so that you don't get snow/ice damage.

Would remove tarp to prevent snow buildup. Could also store tractors upside down to distribute load over more bearing points. Top would be in direct contact with ground and base would be supported by uprights.

Also, I run about 150 birds in each paddock. All paddocks are separate and the age difference is 3 weeks between each 150. So come April/May time I process once every three weeks until normally Sept/Oct. This year I took a gamble and went until next Tuesday. Weather has been a blessing. Otherwise I would have had to move this last batch into a 40 x 40 coop and do a lot of cleaning every day.

For short term (2011) I will not be using paddocks, that will start in 2012. I will run < 72 birds per tractor (72 eggs set each incubator cycle). Tractors will be at 28 d intervals owing to time needed between roosters used to cover hens. Breeding project is primary purpose behind effort. I want to be certain of parentage. The age diffference I hope will prevent drift between tractors.

The other issue with that size is do you plan on moving it daily?

I am thinking every other day. Want to pick the grass down hard under tractor. Presently my soil is in terrible condition. Will tweek system to promote increases in soil nutrient levels and select for plant species tolerant of intensive grazing. May explore changing forage plant community by seeding.

I can tell you that each paddock has 3 tractors. And the do float around which ones they want to be in or not. 2 of the 3 are tarpped on 3 sides, one is only tarpped over the top and sides and not the ends. And in hot weather I was finding them mostly in the house with no tarp on the ends. As the weather has changed the Turkeys stay in that one and chickens moved more towards the other tractors. But there is not rhyme or reason.

I will be running four tractors in total at any given point in time. Production cycle for each will be 16 weeks. Owing to limitations of my dominiques egg production capacity, I doubt if more than 6 cohorts will be ran per production season.

Tarps will not be on ends. I will be efforting to reduce drift between tractors. Will exploit birds fidelity to appearance of roost / tractor. My birds have been causing me all sorts of problems when I am trying to get them to move from one location to another. I think I can use this to my advantage with tractors. Failure to return to proper tractor could be reason to reject individuals from breeding population.

And I would invest in poultry netting. It is a savior. And one net is 164 ft long. Which equates to approx 40 x 40 = 1/4 acre of pasture. I use 2 fences per area and run a battery.

I do not think the poultry netting will retain many of my birds. Many, 2 of 4 cohorts, will sired by American game during 2011. I also want birds to roam a 2 acre area. I have six such areas to use. Based on observations, birds will stay tight near tractors so long as adequate amounts of quality feed and water are available. Having flocks intermingle during day not regarded as problem at this time. When sheep and goats acquired later, may shift to more controlled intensive grazing system with birds with physical separation of cohorts.