Housing 50 Hens- Need Ideas

[minifarmmom]

Haha yes I am fully aware there are predators that could reach the ones roosting in the trees. Our predators (so far) have been coyotes and mink/weasles though. It's just not realistic to spend time climbing huge pine trees in the dark where mine or my husband's safety is involved.

Without getting into long detail about the chicks & cold- the chicks were introduced to the soil early on, there were cool areas in the brooder, the brooder was in the garage so they had cooler temps in the evenings (but still had heat lamp). The chicks all seemed healthy and happy, there never seemed to be a big pecking order. But over the course of a week or so the "newer" ones started dying a couple at a time when the temps reached very cold negatives. Some were found in the coop, some outside of the coop. I've looked up diseases/illnesses and nothing adds up. The only thing I can relate it to is the cold!

Thank you for the info on the buildings. My husband is a carpenter/construction guy so we could easily build one, but it might be easier (and possibly cheaper) to buy one.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Wow, those are some tough predators you deal with.

No, I wouldn't be climbing a ladder either. I already feel like I'm just moments away and a trip to the hospital with gopher holes and other dangers around. Even climbing a ladder in broad daylight got me thinking the other day. Well, I tripped and dislocated my elbow (it was bent the opposite way of normal) back in September and it was quite an awakening to just how fragile my body really is. Took a couple months in a splint and a couple more months of physical therapy. I'm still not at 100% flexibility, but I'm glad my arm still works.

Awesome that your hubby can build. Outrageous how expensive materials are especially by the time you include hardware.

I'm sure those losses you experienced weren't fun.

Hope the rest of your chicken adventure is awesome!

 

[minifarmmom]

Thank you! I hope everything goes well myself!