How big does a broiler pen have to be?

[sonew123]

Quote:
good luck getting those suckers in the coop at night! My back is kiling me bringing them in everynight! My run is 4 1/2 ft tall and being bent over catching 26 birds is trying my patience! anyone know of any tricks?

 

[ourflockof4]

Quote:
good luck getting those suckers in the coop at night! My back is kiling me bringing them in everynight! My run is 4 1/2 ft tall and being bent over catching 26 birds is trying my patience! anyone know of any tricks?

The easiest way is to not put them in a coop. I never put my meaties in a coop. We have a couple feet on the end of both of our tractors that is closed in, and that is all they need. I would think that a coop would be a huge pain to try to keep clean with them.

As far as how many it would hold, I would go with 35, but you probably could push it and put a little more in.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
good luck getting those suckers in the coop at night! My back is kiling me bringing them in everynight! My run is 4 1/2 ft tall and being bent over catching 26 birds is trying my patience! anyone know of any tricks?

The easiest way is to not put them in a coop. I never put my meaties in a coop. We have a couple feet on the end of both of our tractors that is closed in, and that is all they need. I would think that a coop would be a huge pain to try to keep clean with them.

As far as how many it would hold, I would go with 35, but you probably could push it and put a little more in.

The run they are in are not predator proof enough - the animals we have around here would shred anything to get in:-( They have to be locked up-all my birds are...believe me I would leave them out-the side fencing is good but the top is just chicken wire and not strong enough..

 

[ourflockof4]

If it's just the top then save your back and get some welded wire, or chain link fencing. Nothing will be able to rip through that and it's fairly cheap. Just my 2 cents though, 26 cx in a coop would be horible to clean up after, especially in the last couple weeks.

 

[cjdmashley]

I agree with "ourflock", not sure how to politely describe the smell when they were in an area too small but trust me.......the liitle bit of coffee I had in my tummy did not enjoy ending up on the lawn.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
I know and my plans have already changed for next year!

 

[nifftiness]

what if you put food in the coop in the evening when you want them in? Would they not for the most part all go in their to get the food? I put my table scraps out everynight for mine and they go where ever the pile of food is. Im going to build a broiler pen/coop this weekend and am going to make one side of the roof on the coop part lift up I think so I can put water in and food If i choose on rainy days.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
nope tried that last night-a few fell for it but once I started to scoop them up...they ran...fat little brats!

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

i have my meaties sleeping under a fortified ventilated truck cap... one of those 8' long ones. anyway, I stand at the opposite end of the run, holding a big plastic garbage bag, and scream strange shrill noises, while flapping the bag. Yes, I look insane, but they also just RUN into the truck cap, and i wander over and shut it up, safe and sound. I admit though, my neighbor did catch me doing it once, and still looks at me funny.

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

How many?

Salatin puts 90-100 in a 10x12 tractor 2' tall.
Grady Phelan (polyface apprentice) uses an 8x8 2' tall with 50 birds - http://phelanranchcompany.blogspot.com/2010/04/broilers-invade-phelan-ranch.html
We have an 8x12 2' tall with 50 birds. Our bell waterer misses the ground by 2".


Experimentation will show you what you can do. More birds = more nitrogen. The birds may do fine, the grass may not...at least at first. More room = less weight gain.

I don't know what the coop would accomplish. You could use it for a day range operation as suggested by Andy Lee but that makes the tractor obsolete.