How much room do they need?

[HidingInTheHenHouse]

My meat birds share a run with my hens and guineas. However, the hens and guineas can be quite mean to the meat birds and peck them a lot. I've never had a death from pecking, but I do have to spray a lot of blue kote, and I think my recent leg problems may be partly due to all the running the meaties do to get away from the pecking.

If the meaties had had access to the same run as the hens from the beginning, I think they would have done fine. But they were not at all with the hens until 5 weeks old, and I don't think I will do it that way again.

In the past, when I have put the meat birds in with the hens for most of the 8 weeks, the smell dies down by about a week after processing, especially if you rake and put down a layer of something absorbant, like wood shavings, stall dry, etc.

 

[mikarod]

I would make a separate run as other hens can get quite nasty, especially if leghorns, and the meaties won't want to move to get out of the way. Instead they will sit there until the hens either get bored or the whole flock joins in.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Here is the set up I have for my 35 birds...which are now only 3 days old.

 

[chickiebaby]

Potterwatch, are you gonna build that sukkah?

 

[SandraMort]

UGHHHHH thanks for the reminder... I need to find schach.

 

[DaKid]

PotterWatch
Do meaties need as much coop space as layers? I have a temporary coop set up (about 4x6), that will soon be vacated and I was thinking of getting some meat birds to fill it up once before I dismantle it. So how many meat birds could I reasonably put in that space?

I have a 4x6 inside spot in my coop for 20 x-roxks but I DO HAVE a outside run 12 x 6 in which some sleep out outside and some inside all are doing just fine anothe 4-5 weeks there be in freeze time away LOL just befor the cold weather set in

Al,​

 

[PotterWatch]

I am planning on it, but my backyard needs to be finished first. I think it will be, but no guarantees (we are getting it landscaped). I need to buy my etrog and lulav just in case. Any recommendations on where to get them online? I should probably start rounding up palm branches too. My boys are very excited about it though, they even told the Rabbi when they were hanging out at shul the other day with my friend.

 

[SandraMort]

tried ebay yet?

 

[SandraMort]

see what happens??? I go look for you and now I have a BAZILLION things I want.

I want to buy some of these miniatures to make jewelry out of! http://stores.ebay.com/JUDAICA-MINIATURES

 

[PotterWatch]

Who knew you could get all that in miniature? That is too cute, I love the Shabbat candles.

Ok, do you think I should go to the expense of getting a real, kosher etrog or should I settle for the fake kind this year? I'm not sure I can really spare the $50+ of getting a kosher one, plus without a box or something to keep it in, I worry the pitam would be damaged and then it wouldn't be kosher anyway... Perhaps I am answering my own question here, lol.