- Mar 25, 2009
- 1,299
- 15
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OK, so I did my plans out, happily leaving enough space for each bird, especially inside. Looks nice, looks though.
Then on a whim I do out the math -- 450 pounds! Yipes! That's not going to tractor anywhere without, well, a tractor.
So what can I do to lighten this thing up, short of getting rid of chickens (I'm only getting 6 hens and a rooster, and mister rooster may not last long if he decides to have a particularly poor sense of timing)? That number was already probably too light of plywood sides for the house part to keep the coons out. My dad suggested corrugated metal, but I don't think that's going to be any better for keeping them out because it's difficult to secure. I was thinking maybe something *very* lightweight, like tarping or some sort of vinyl, for the sides that don't need doors in them, on the outside, and a layer of hardware wire, to protect the lightweight material. The door sides would probably still have to be wood, but we're talking a lot less here at that point.
Thoughts? Experiences? I don't want to have to build a permanent building *and* a tractor, but mobile chickens is half the reason we're getting them at all.
Then on a whim I do out the math -- 450 pounds! Yipes! That's not going to tractor anywhere without, well, a tractor.
So what can I do to lighten this thing up, short of getting rid of chickens (I'm only getting 6 hens and a rooster, and mister rooster may not last long if he decides to have a particularly poor sense of timing)? That number was already probably too light of plywood sides for the house part to keep the coons out. My dad suggested corrugated metal, but I don't think that's going to be any better for keeping them out because it's difficult to secure. I was thinking maybe something *very* lightweight, like tarping or some sort of vinyl, for the sides that don't need doors in them, on the outside, and a layer of hardware wire, to protect the lightweight material. The door sides would probably still have to be wood, but we're talking a lot less here at that point.
Thoughts? Experiences? I don't want to have to build a permanent building *and* a tractor, but mobile chickens is half the reason we're getting them at all.
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