Housing, pens, coops for meat birds I need ideas

[Mikedero]

Not sure as I plan on doing all mine in the spring and in the shade...My last batch will be in June but I have allot of shade and even a mister sprinkler on really hot days

 

[Tabasco Jack]

Ho many do you keep in this? looks more then 10 I was going to limit myself but if 8X8 can fit more I will get more

I keep 25 in it. The last week gets a little crowded but it's still 2.5 square foot per bird.

 

[Tabasco Jack]

related question: I am also planning on putting my meaties that I'm going to get in the spring (my first time with meaties) in a very similar tractor. However I do not have any trees what so ever. Will they be ok as it gets hotter? I'm defitely going to put some metal or a tarp on part of the top and sides to give shelter from rain and sun. but I'm afraid the metal will trap the heat and the tractor will act as an oven..Will it trap the heat or will they be ok?

I only kept them under the trees the first week to make sure the tractor was going to work ok before I moved it to the pasture. The rear side is fully covered and only half of the left and right sides are covered. I made it so I can remove the siding during hot weather, but I didn't notice them getting overly heated in it last year. The birds tend to want to stay in the shade anyway.

 

[Mikedero]

I keep 25 in it. The last week gets a little crowded but it's still 2.5 square foot per bird.

Ok then I can 20 with ease then sweet

Another question for you. How many do you process in one day?

 

[Tabasco Jack]

Ok then I can 20 with ease then sweet

Another question for you. How many do you process in one day?

I've been doing it all by my lonesome. One daughter tried to help, but couldn't take it. She's great in the kitchen and helped bag and seal them. I catch them the night before and put them in an empty brooder pen that's loaded on my trailer. I give them a little water in the morning. Typically, 30 minutes per bird including setup and cleanup. And that varies with how much pondering I do or if I have to run out and get another propane tank or bags of ice.

A dozen a day is good. 14 tends to stretch it out.

After I ice water chill them, I stick them in the secondary fridge on the back porch overnight and bag them the next day.

 

[Tabasco Jack]

Can you use poultry nipples under a 5 gallon bucket? that is what I currently use for my other chickens?

You couldn't use the bucket in a 2' tall tractor. I used nipples in a pvc pipe in mine. I haven't figured out a good way to adjust the height of the pipe yet. Currently it's attached to shelf brackets with zip ties and I have to crawl in the tractor to unscrew the brackets to move them up.