GAME ROOSTERS.. a question...

[Teach97]

typically you would house the birds inside another protective area or use some sort of guard animal like a dog. the bird will follow the course of the sun and stay in the shade of the barrel if they are hot...you do have to make sure they have access to water

everyone i know uses the plastic barrels and the birds do just fine...never seen a door on one and coldn't imagine trying to go around letting everyone in and out! do make sure they have a perch inside...helps them eliminate waste

I have kept extra roos like this and ot had problems...the roos quickly taight the cats that they did not like being stalked! It was a hoot!

 

[Illia]

Quote:
Incase you didn't read, I live in WA - a state in the US.

The poorest places are not in the US. . .

No need to get snappy.

 

[arherp]

Teach - exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[MandyH]

All the ones that I have seen around here are either plastic barrels or a teepee shaped thing made out of plywood. There is a man not far from us that has hundreds of birds kept like this. He also has 3 of the biggest dang Great Pyranees dogs that I have ever seen in my life roaming the yard. I just asked my husband he said that most people he knows of have an electric fence around the place they keep the roosters. He also said that most he knew of took a 4x4 post and put it in the ground and then take your barrell and screw it on the 4x4 post. Leave about a foot of clearance from the barrel to the ground and cut one end open for them to hop in.

 

[Red jungle fowl88]

A good electric fence will keep them away.. As for the heat they will be ok... Just give them fresh water daily.... You might want to check out the show of you're game section... A lot of people don't understand the game fowl way...

 

[pbc69]

As for putting doors on barrels,you keep the square that you have just cut out.Around a inch or so above the square you just cut out for your door.Make a slit just wide enough for your cut part to be pushed back up inside,then when its real cold,just pull it out & down over your square entry hole,works great.when not in use just push it back up out of the way.Just make sure u dont cut your slit more than u have to(keep it tight).Hope this helps...

 

[TROUBLEMAKER]

we mostly free range our hens we use round pens for our cocks we run hatch,kelso and brownreds

 

[arherp]

Thanks so far everyone! This is exactly what I am looking for!

 

[arherp]

TM, what does a round pen look like?

 

[lovemyprettybirds]

Quote:
Interesting question. Especially considering that I've lost two beautiful roosters to predation because they couldn't get away. It was horrible!!! In both cases all that was left were a few feathers and a leg from the thigh down. The first time it happened the leg was still in the tie cord, the most recent time, I found the leg about 20 ft. away from the barrel.

All of this is an ongoing learning experience for me. The roosters get used to the tie cords and grow to appreciate the sanctity of their barrels. I lay the barrels on their sides and keep fresh hay or straw for bedding, and stake the tie cords so that they can't get tangled around the barrel or anything else. I also make sure they have access to shade. I purchased the tie cords and stakes from Randall Burkey, and they are specially designed to prevent tangling. After the first predation episode we drilled holes in the barrel lids and used hinges to re-attach them so that they could be opened in the morning and closed at night. (If I sleep in, my roosters do too, which isn't a big deal in cool weather; however, in hot weather I have to be more diligent about getting up early enough to open their barrels) By the way, my barrels are metal, but I don't see why plastic wouldn't work.

The latest predation episode occurred during a time when I could not get out to close the roosters up until late, (very late), in the evening due to other obligations. Undoubtedly, a trained livestock guard dog could have averted the attack. Unfortunately, my two spoiled rotten terriers were "occupied" with other priorities at the time. (like breaking in my new mattress for me, or getting their heads scratched, or their bellies rubbed)

In summary, barrels and tie cords have enabled me to keep many beautiful birds that I could not have kept otherwise. In addition to non-aggressive chicken breeds, I also have some that are more aggressive, like Shamos, Sumatras, and Asils. They are for my enjoyment, not illegal purposes. I appreciate their individual characteristics, grace and beauty. I live in the south and when it's been really hot I've used a fan in my coop to make my hens comfortable. Chickens on tie cords have the same basic needs as chickens in coops and pens; food, protection from the elements, and water. Additionally, chickens on tie cords need enhanced security from predators.

It's been awhile since you started this thread, I'm curious to know how things are going for you!