OK...I have two breeding pens in my basement "chicken room"...I know, it sounds bad, but it really is pretty nice. I have the room devided into two seperate pens of about 8'x8' and in each is one pair of bantam Cochins. Well, it would seem that I need to start into the wonderful world of artificial insemination(sp?)...so I need to move the boys away from the gals so there will be something left when I go to harvest....so here is what I'm thinking.
Moving both hens together (opens a pen for another breed..lol) and building an elevated wire floored duplex for the roos. This will be a permenant living arrangement for the roos, so I want to make sure they have the space and what not to meet their requirements. Again, Bantam Cochins, but I was thinking a 2'x2' square each with roost pole and solid wire bottom. Perhaps I could borrow a couple of my daughters plastic rabbit cage relief mats to put in as well...
So...is it cruel to house them in this manner? Keep in mind that during the summer during daylight hours they would get free range time, but during winter months...that will be home....what would you do?
Moving both hens together (opens a pen for another breed..lol) and building an elevated wire floored duplex for the roos. This will be a permenant living arrangement for the roos, so I want to make sure they have the space and what not to meet their requirements. Again, Bantam Cochins, but I was thinking a 2'x2' square each with roost pole and solid wire bottom. Perhaps I could borrow a couple of my daughters plastic rabbit cage relief mats to put in as well...
So...is it cruel to house them in this manner? Keep in mind that during the summer during daylight hours they would get free range time, but during winter months...that will be home....what would you do?