Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[gjensen]

I would rephrase your statement to "you can't make progress if you can't hatch any. My first year's stock laid in the weeds, roosted at the top of a 2 story barn, and were only seen after dark, with a flashlight. My second year I had almost 100% fertility, but only 15% of the eggs developed into healthy, vigorous chicks. The second year I had 0% fertility, and I moved on to BLRWs.


My husband made 3 chicken tractors that I love, last summer. He is now relatively quick and efficient with that design, and my fallback gift request is "more chicken tractors, please!' Each is 8'x10' and can grow out a dozen chicks or house a trio/quad of adults. I am also improving my efficiency with early culling/butchering. All of the equipment and skills I am acquiring should be easily transferred to any other chicken breed. I am keeping in touch with the Dorking grapevine so I might have better luck with my next attempt to source breeding stock.

Angela

An advantage to a design that you like is in repeating it. I like a variety of pens and styles for different reasons. I wish that I could have predicted my health would have went the way that it did. I would have emphasized a different approach. I am not certain how to evolve from here. I doubt that I would have a single fixed enclosure. I have a balance of small tractor types, large walk ins, large fixed enclosures, rows of singles, fencing, and cross fencing. It is organized.

What I do not regret is the smaller tractor type pens. No clean outs, and they are always on fresh greens.

 

[Wisher1000]

I agree, George. I have two fixed structures (12x16 and 8x24) and several different designs for not-so-fixed pens. My designs have changed as I experiment to see what works best. I have not settled on just one, yet. I want one that is not too heavy for me to slide, that has a dry area to roost and for feed when it rains. I also want to be able to catch the birds without getting on my knees or walking while bending over. I think my next experiment will be lightweight panels that can be put together and taken down to move. I'm working it out in my head right now.......

 

[Leela NH]

Quote: Angela,

Is it possible to post pics of our chicken tractors/breeding pens?
I'm also in love with the Silver Grey Dorkings, hope to have some nice foundation stock in the next couple of years if I can source some juvies or adults. I breed Speckled Sussex and Ameraucanas, but will be phasing the Ams out in favor of SGD. I just adore everything about them.

Thanks!

Leela
Kindred Hill Farm
NH

 

[neopolitancrazy]

Angela,

Is it possible to post pics of our chicken tractors/breeding pens?

Thanks!

Leela
Kindred Hill Farm
NH

It is much easier to snap a pic with my phone and post on Facebook, so I posted it there. My husband got the basic plans from http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ASC/ASC189/ASC189.pdf and adapted it to suit us. Specifically, he used different fence panels, different wire on the ends, and made a custom door, then added wheels. I hung a waterer & feeder and zip tied a tarp on top, then slid a 2x4 through one end as a perch. We don't have a good nest solution, have been using these as grow-out pens.
Best wishes,
Angela Rountree

 

[LindaB220]

Hey guys, been a while. I gave my chickens away last summer preparing for my trip to Vancouver WA to stay a few months with my daughter. Well, it became permanent in Sept. Love it here and am looking for a few acres to build a small house.I've been a rural resident too long to go back urban. . It's gonna take until the spring. Then the chickens and garden. Thank goodness I didn't give away the 1588.

 

[finnfur]

Hey guys, been a while. I gave my chickens away last summer preparing for my trip to Vancouver WA to stay a few months with my daughter. Well, it became permanent in Sept. Love it here and am looking for a few acres to build a small house.I've been a rural resident too long to go back urban.

. It's gonna take until the spring. Then the chickens and garden. Thank goodness I didn't give away the 1588.

Big change from southern. Good luck in the new endevour .

 

[finnfur]

I agree, George. I have two fixed structures (12x16 and 8x24) and several different designs for not-so-fixed pens. My designs have changed as I experiment to see what works best. I have not settled on just one, yet. I want one that is not too heavy for me to slide, that has a dry area to roost and for feed when it rains. I also want to be able to catch the birds without getting on my knees or walking while bending over. I think my next experiment will be lightweight panels that can be put together and taken down to move. I'm working it out in my head right now.......

I tried the attempt at panels screwed together but couldn't figure out how to make them light and predator proof. I did make them from treated 2x4s and they were 120"x70" with 1x3 welded wire on them. Except front door panels they were all the same size including a top panel. They were movable but to do it by myself I needed to pick them up with the tractor bucket.I am thinking hoop coops next and move with tractor with out the assembly disassembly procedure . We have two coops built on trailers now. Wife calls them the gypsy chickens.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

As I transition from the big laying flick to breeding, I'm thinking of how to break up the long coop into smaller coops, and also how to have rotational pastures ...

If I did the movable hoop coops, I'd make the frames from PVC pipe for easier dragging.

@LindaB220 We're practically neighbors now.

 

[Wisher1000]

@finnfur I'm actually considering making the panels out of PVC and covering with 2''x4'' dog wire and a 2' strip of chicken wire along the bottom. I know this would not be too pred proof, but I have two LGDs that keep the nasties away. I am thinking I could secure them together with zip ties at the top and a 2"x2" along the bottom of each end. It would be a large A frame with 8' panels and a little over 6' of head room in the middle. Just a thought......

Oh, and BTW, there is an article on the Silver Gray Dorkings in the APA yearbook (2015) for those interested in them.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Hi, I'm new to this thread, and I'm designing mobile coop tractors as well. I'm just starting up with Buckeyes and I have some standard Dark Cornish and others for a project I have in mind.
My plans are for modular 8x8 tractors that I can add sections to as needed. I have a few plans on the sketch pad. It's frustrating to be north of the border- the prices are insane. For example, a Tractor supply cattle panel is 20 bucks US and in stock. In Canada, it's not in stock, and it's $65 bucks for the same thing. I know the Canadian dollar has tanked, but seriously????