I bought a tropical island with an existing pineapple farm, new to chickens, unusual questions coming...

[Kenneth Zweerink]

I don't think Chickens will do well on a floating raft with the constant motion of waves. Especially with high winds and big waves.

 

[Debbie292d]

I don't think Chickens will do well on a floating raft with the constant motion of waves. Especially with high winds and big waves.

I get motion sickness just thinking about it!

 

[TwoCrows]

I get motion sickness just thinking about it!

This is the first thing that came to my mind too!

 

[triciayoung]

This is the first thing that came to my mind too!

Me as well

 

[Tahai]

Is there a reason that your hen house has to be on the water? It just seems overly complicated, especially for a first time flock-keeper.

I also have concerns about disease with mixing your hens and your aviary birds and iguanas. I don't know what Avian diseases are prevalent in Panama, but I would do some serious research on that topic if I were in your boat.

Talking about disease brought up another concern for me...how are you going to clean the coop? And what are you planning to feed your hens? If chicken feed, then you will need to make sure it doesn't spoil by moisture exposure, which will cause mold (which can kill birds).

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi. SE Missouri here, welcome, thanks for joining. Fascinating, you certainly got our attention! Er, what's a basilisk? (Some kind of giant snake? Or is that only true in the Harry Potter stories?) Are you going to market the pineapples? You should know that even the best layers typically slow down quite a bit in their 3rd year and even more at age 4 years and up, although some will lay the occasional egg even beyond this age. You will need a plan to deal with your older hens when they are no longer productive and also a plan for replacing them. Chicks* usually do not become productive until the age of 16 to 20 weeks at a minimum, and often not until later if that magic age occurs in late fall or winter, as production is tied to number of daylight hours, 12 to 14 being the minimum required for ovulation. Very excited to follow the progress of your adventure, hopefully with lots of pictures!

*Edit, sorry, should have said "pullets," female chickens under the age of one year. Their male counterparts are cockerels. After the one year mark, of course, they become hens and roosters, respectively.

 

[Tookie]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! Its nice to meet you.

Good luck with all your plans!