Quote:
CORN!!!
You MUST mean to feed all the chickens right?!?!
CORN!!!
If you had lots and lots of space and money to work with...
- Thread starter candylandfarm
- Start date
Entrepreneur hmm, I like you already...well, you could have a huge chicken operation. You could have eggs for eating, eggs for hatching, eggs for selling, eggs for selling as hatching eggs, raise meat birds, raise and sell chicks. With the ponds you could also raise ducks and geese and have all their eggs for the same thing, and duck meat. I could run a huge business with that ammount of land and just a little start up cash. I'd be profitable in a year maximum. That place has so much potential!! Chickens do not require much space per bird, and a good pasture with proper management and good chicken guardian dogs....well the sky is the limit on that kind of property. I suggest you read everything by Joel Salatin like yesterday, and get a good idea of what YOU want in your noggin. Let DH have x ammount of acres for his corn...and decide what you have to work with. I'd definately have a greenhouse though and not a single ear of corn would ever come out of it
Hmph...corn, the very idea of wasting precious chicken space!! Well, I hope this helps. Google Polyface Farm for everything Salatin. He can show you the basics once you get an idea of exactly where you want to go with it.
Edited bc I can't spell!!
Edited bc I can't spell!!
Last edited:
Make it easy on the eye, big enough for twice as many chickens that you think you want and make it moveable. Where you put it now may not be where you want it 1 or 10 years from now. I built mine on skids, the porch can be unscrewed from the building, braced and moved as well since it is also on skids. My post here on BYC https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=193985 has a link to photos of construction to finish. Being you are in SC something like this may work for you. The ventilation is excellent in summer and in this cold weather I have the ceiling fenced (predator proof) with covering so that the ceiling is lower and closed off from the air flow that works so great in the summer. If it get down to 30 the coop inside is usually about 40 but with this weather being in the teens I have some heat lights to keep it above freezing. I did not insulate the walls because I did not want rodents to have a place to hide and live cozy, but I do have chip board for interior walls. Screw it up so it can always be taken down without damage if you have to get into the walls for anything.
ooooooooo
Oh the thoughts are cascading thru my mind atm...
It would start out somewhere in the Pacific NW cos I love it here so much
Somewhere between the ocean and the mts with an amazing view.
I would have a few large houses for breeding purposes...one for pure Aracunas, and a few for other rare breeds. I would have some huge runs for them as well.
I would also have a large spacious mixed breed laying flock coop with a massive run. Indoor storage, electricity to all coops, bright and beautiful and airy. AND places to put my incubators I would get!
*mutters chickies chickies chickies"
I also would have a meatie area, so I could have room for the meat birds. Add on a meat rabbit and quail area, duck area, and a spot for a mini cow or three, and some weaner pigs, and a goat or two, and a few watch geese.......OH and a donkey and llama....and a HUGE garden....etc etc etc
And of course,.....a house that isnt too big and isnt too small for me and the cats and DH to be able to watch chicken TV, and....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Don't wake me up!!!
let me dream my dream of being Lissa on her little self sufficent piece of country!
Oh the thoughts are cascading thru my mind atm...
It would start out somewhere in the Pacific NW cos I love it here so much
I would have a few large houses for breeding purposes...one for pure Aracunas, and a few for other rare breeds. I would have some huge runs for them as well.
I would also have a large spacious mixed breed laying flock coop with a massive run. Indoor storage, electricity to all coops, bright and beautiful and airy. AND places to put my incubators I would get!
*mutters chickies chickies chickies"
I also would have a meatie area, so I could have room for the meat birds. Add on a meat rabbit and quail area, duck area, and a spot for a mini cow or three, and some weaner pigs, and a goat or two, and a few watch geese.......OH and a donkey and llama....and a HUGE garden....etc etc etc
And of course,.....a house that isnt too big and isnt too small for me and the cats and DH to be able to watch chicken TV, and....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Don't wake me up!!!
let me dream my dream of being Lissa on her little self sufficent piece of country!
- Thread starter
- #15
Y'all are a mess! And I love it!
Hhhmm, once I get my husband into being a successful man, and I talk him into country living (he's so handy, he'd be great at it!) I have all sorts of high hopes and silly dreams for about 100 acres. More maybe... perhaps only 30....
Small house, nothing fancy, but done up nicely. Long porch to sit on and look at everything. Jacuzzi for after long work days. If there's farm work to be done, I don't want a big house with it's own long list of chores. It'll have that expensive thick interior paint that you can wipe down and keep clean, even if a kid draws on it. Everything done efficient and designed for low maintance.
Now the barns. LOL If I could spend any amount on it, I would have my giant red and white traditional looking main barn for the goats and horses. Two riding horses, the rest show minis. Reinforced white vynil fencing, designed for horses, low maintance. Maybe a small herd of Dexter cattle or mini Zebus.
The main barn will be sort of close to the house... with a covered walkway to get to it. I've done barn chores in blizzards/rainstorms before... so my set-up will have an eye towards getting things done even in the worse of weather. Heated water to the barn too... not dragging buckets from the house out there should the heated waterers go out.
So the house will be set back from the road a bit, with the big main barn set back and to the left if you're looking at it. On the left of the barn, two pastures, about 4 acres each. Enough to be able to rotate the stock and keep it from turning into a mud pit. I hate mud. Specially the deep stuff that sucks the boots right off your feet. My design will be anti-mud... drainage pipes, slopes used to the advantage, low spots removed to prevent puddles, gravel and wood chips as needed.
Behind the main barn will be the fowl. One of those traditional looking coops that you see on old farms, screened front, high front dropping into a lower back end, long and skinny. The changes I would make would include adding a porch and storage room. That way I can get to everything and stay dry if it's raining. Concrete foundation... nothing digging in, I can hose it out periodically, and I can seal the feed room and prevent a bad outbreak of mice. I think 4 sections would be enough, allowing for 3 breeds of chickens and the peacocks. The runs going off the back of the building built for predator prevention.
To the right of the fowl, and behind the house, the dog kennels for my German Shepherds. I would rotate who got to stay in the house, so that none of them were kennel bound and none of them solely in the house. Imported from Germany, trained and showing in Schutzhund, the proven ones who pass the breeding exams would have a litter of puppies or two if the pups turned out as good as the parents. Maintaining about 6 adult dogs at a time. Heated kennel, dogs housed in trios or pairs based on who got along best. 10x20 indoor space per group, and an extra for momma dogs... so 3 or 4 sections that size each with a run twice the size. The whole area fenced again, for a larger run-around area. Behind that a small lot for training and one on one time. Maybe an agility course set-up to really get their minds going. I don't believe in locking dogs up away from the family, or having them caged seperately, but it's chaotic to have them all together and running loose on a farm, and thus the rotation. Makes for a dog that can adapt to new things easily too, which also in turn aids training and development.
To the right of the dogs and set back some will be the storage barn, for equipment, hay, ect. In front of that and to the right of the house, will be the "man-barn". Smaller than the main horse barn, but also has a covered walk-way to get to it from the house. The husband's work shop, and tools, with a mechanics bay, maybe a vehicle lift. Everything he needs for vehicle maintance, carpentry, and machining.
A driveway would approach the house head-on, then split to either side, going past and around the horse barn and the man barn, cutting between the storage, kennels, and fowl. That way feed for each can be delivered, and everything else that goes with them. Gates on either side, everything sectioned off basically. I don't have those details worked out yet. There would have to be 2 gates over the drive on the horse barn, to get them to their pastures without having to lead each one. Close each driveway gate, open the barn and pasture gates, and send them out. Seems the easiest.
Then some hay fields... enough trees on the property to be able to thin them and get our own firewood... the whole place fenced in with horse trails scattered around so we can check on everything from horseback. Big black wrought iron gate and stone pillars at the driveway on the road. Something classy when people come by to select a puppy or mini show horse. The house would have to be 2 stories tall so that the barns don't dwarf it.
It would be neat to find property where it's flat off the road, with enough space for all those buildings, going up into hills behind it, so that it's naturally sheltered from high winds and such. Set a pond out back to catch the run-off from the hills with a cute little mini barn to house the geese or ducks or swans or whichever.
You know, if money wasn't an issue, this is what I would build. Might add a circle drive out in front of the house and a fountain in the middle, something little and pretty. Do gardens all aound the house, so that there isn't a yard to mow. Everything either pasture, planted, or trees. Who wants to spend 5 hours every Saturday mowing grass in the summer? Not I. There would be trimming to do, and the only mowing in the dog area.
Small house, nothing fancy, but done up nicely. Long porch to sit on and look at everything. Jacuzzi for after long work days. If there's farm work to be done, I don't want a big house with it's own long list of chores. It'll have that expensive thick interior paint that you can wipe down and keep clean, even if a kid draws on it. Everything done efficient and designed for low maintance.
Now the barns. LOL If I could spend any amount on it, I would have my giant red and white traditional looking main barn for the goats and horses. Two riding horses, the rest show minis. Reinforced white vynil fencing, designed for horses, low maintance. Maybe a small herd of Dexter cattle or mini Zebus.
The main barn will be sort of close to the house... with a covered walkway to get to it. I've done barn chores in blizzards/rainstorms before... so my set-up will have an eye towards getting things done even in the worse of weather. Heated water to the barn too... not dragging buckets from the house out there should the heated waterers go out.
So the house will be set back from the road a bit, with the big main barn set back and to the left if you're looking at it. On the left of the barn, two pastures, about 4 acres each. Enough to be able to rotate the stock and keep it from turning into a mud pit. I hate mud. Specially the deep stuff that sucks the boots right off your feet. My design will be anti-mud... drainage pipes, slopes used to the advantage, low spots removed to prevent puddles, gravel and wood chips as needed.
Behind the main barn will be the fowl. One of those traditional looking coops that you see on old farms, screened front, high front dropping into a lower back end, long and skinny. The changes I would make would include adding a porch and storage room. That way I can get to everything and stay dry if it's raining. Concrete foundation... nothing digging in, I can hose it out periodically, and I can seal the feed room and prevent a bad outbreak of mice. I think 4 sections would be enough, allowing for 3 breeds of chickens and the peacocks. The runs going off the back of the building built for predator prevention.
To the right of the fowl, and behind the house, the dog kennels for my German Shepherds. I would rotate who got to stay in the house, so that none of them were kennel bound and none of them solely in the house. Imported from Germany, trained and showing in Schutzhund, the proven ones who pass the breeding exams would have a litter of puppies or two if the pups turned out as good as the parents. Maintaining about 6 adult dogs at a time. Heated kennel, dogs housed in trios or pairs based on who got along best. 10x20 indoor space per group, and an extra for momma dogs... so 3 or 4 sections that size each with a run twice the size. The whole area fenced again, for a larger run-around area. Behind that a small lot for training and one on one time. Maybe an agility course set-up to really get their minds going. I don't believe in locking dogs up away from the family, or having them caged seperately, but it's chaotic to have them all together and running loose on a farm, and thus the rotation. Makes for a dog that can adapt to new things easily too, which also in turn aids training and development.
To the right of the dogs and set back some will be the storage barn, for equipment, hay, ect. In front of that and to the right of the house, will be the "man-barn". Smaller than the main horse barn, but also has a covered walk-way to get to it from the house. The husband's work shop, and tools, with a mechanics bay, maybe a vehicle lift. Everything he needs for vehicle maintance, carpentry, and machining.
A driveway would approach the house head-on, then split to either side, going past and around the horse barn and the man barn, cutting between the storage, kennels, and fowl. That way feed for each can be delivered, and everything else that goes with them. Gates on either side, everything sectioned off basically. I don't have those details worked out yet. There would have to be 2 gates over the drive on the horse barn, to get them to their pastures without having to lead each one. Close each driveway gate, open the barn and pasture gates, and send them out. Seems the easiest.
Then some hay fields... enough trees on the property to be able to thin them and get our own firewood... the whole place fenced in with horse trails scattered around so we can check on everything from horseback. Big black wrought iron gate and stone pillars at the driveway on the road. Something classy when people come by to select a puppy or mini show horse. The house would have to be 2 stories tall so that the barns don't dwarf it.
It would be neat to find property where it's flat off the road, with enough space for all those buildings, going up into hills behind it, so that it's naturally sheltered from high winds and such. Set a pond out back to catch the run-off from the hills with a cute little mini barn to house the geese or ducks or swans or whichever.
You know, if money wasn't an issue, this is what I would build. Might add a circle drive out in front of the house and a fountain in the middle, something little and pretty. Do gardens all aound the house, so that there isn't a yard to mow. Everything either pasture, planted, or trees. Who wants to spend 5 hours every Saturday mowing grass in the summer? Not I. There would be trimming to do, and the only mowing in the dog area.
- Mar 25, 2009
- 1,299
- 15
- 171
It would be something beautifully secure, handsomely built, wired for electricity, and with plenty of people-accessibly storage for all the accoutrements.
Then I'd build something for some goats, and some horses, and some ducks, and some pigs, and a turkey, and some weanling calves and...
...
OK, suffice it to say that I'm jealous
Then I'd build something for some goats, and some horses, and some ducks, and some pigs, and a turkey, and some weanling calves and...
...
OK, suffice it to say that I'm jealous
Wow...[sigh]...108 acre blank slate. Nice. I also would not want a huge house. I have a cape now and thats big enough. Now, a barn on the other hand, would have to be huge. I would have stalls for 2-4 horses, room for some beefers, a sizeable pond for ducks and geese, lots of storage, a conservatory type building on one side so I could grow greens year round for my flock of chickens. I would have breeding pens for at least 8-10 breeds and a warming room for those breeds that don't like New England winters where I could have grass and 'free ranging' year round. Each breed would have their own roosting, feeding area and run. I would have to have a separate area where I could set up a separate smaller breeding barn so the new mommas could spend time with their babies.
The 2nd floor of the barn would be an aviary for pigeons, all open so they could actually fly around inside. And since I had so much room, I'd have to have an outdoor, enclosed, tent-like structure so I could raise quail. I'd have to have some turkeys waltzing around too.
As a result of all this, I'd have eggs and meat to sell, hatching eggs to sell, and I'd be wildly successful!
Have a wonderful time picking out what you want. I'm quite envious! I'd definitely build more than what you think you'll need. It may not be so easy to add on later. With so much farm land, I would do huge covered runs to keep your feathered family free of hawks, possums, and racoons. People sized access to everthing is must.
I'm adding to my flock of 13 this spring and it took some time selecting the breeds that I wanted and I'm only adding a dozen! I couldn't imagine having room for a couple hundred. I'd be beside myself! I do know that I would choose heritage breeds from the list of critical and threatened breeds listed with the [http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#chickens]American Livestock Breeds Conservancy[/url]. I'd do it with all the animals I chose to have. 3 of the breeds I'm getting are endangered or threatened, and 2 of those 3 are American breeds. I'm not breeding yet but I'll get there!
The 2nd floor of the barn would be an aviary for pigeons, all open so they could actually fly around inside. And since I had so much room, I'd have to have an outdoor, enclosed, tent-like structure so I could raise quail. I'd have to have some turkeys waltzing around too.
As a result of all this, I'd have eggs and meat to sell, hatching eggs to sell, and I'd be wildly successful!
Have a wonderful time picking out what you want. I'm quite envious! I'd definitely build more than what you think you'll need. It may not be so easy to add on later. With so much farm land, I would do huge covered runs to keep your feathered family free of hawks, possums, and racoons. People sized access to everthing is must.
I'm adding to my flock of 13 this spring and it took some time selecting the breeds that I wanted and I'm only adding a dozen! I couldn't imagine having room for a couple hundred. I'd be beside myself! I do know that I would choose heritage breeds from the list of critical and threatened breeds listed with the [http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#chickens]American Livestock Breeds Conservancy[/url]. I'd do it with all the animals I chose to have. 3 of the breeds I'm getting are endangered or threatened, and 2 of those 3 are American breeds. I'm not breeding yet but I'll get there!
Quote:
This is exactly what I'm working on now, except the pastures are slightly smaller and to the right of the barn lol I only have 25 acres and the house was already here, but my setup is almost identical.
I'm in the same boat as candyland. Starting at the beginning........DH is very good at building and quite the perfectionist! He's also a 'spare no expense' type of guy. I'm so glad this question was asked!
This is exactly what I'm working on now, except the pastures are slightly smaller and to the right of the barn lol I only have 25 acres and the house was already here, but my setup is almost identical.
I'm in the same boat as candyland. Starting at the beginning........DH is very good at building and quite the perfectionist! He's also a 'spare no expense' type of guy. I'm so glad this question was asked!
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