Investing Big Protecting Free-range Chickens

[centrarchid]

South perimeter fencing with Honey as reference. There is going to be a gap issue that must be watched closely for dogs, coyotes and foxes digging under.

 

[centrarchid]

West perimeter fencing showing where two rolls are spliced together.

 

[centrarchid]

Pens like this will be core layer for protecting most valuable birds all the time and free-range birds at night. They are yet to be elevated so bottoms can be made resistant to diggers and allow harvesting of feces as well as protection against worms. I have been having worm issues when pens are not routinely and frequently moved. These pens are also highly resistant to raccoon, opossums and owls. My dogs know to check pens regularly. When winterized, the pens will not be ideal for eggs collection or growth of juveniles. Those activities will be restricted to barn during winter. Pens like these are also good for keeping goats away from feeders. 

 

[centrarchid]

Eventually we will have 10 of these pens organized in a row. They will have yet another perimeter around them that keeps goats and sheep out unless I want them there. That way vegetation can grow up enough to provide chicks and juveniles cover from Coopers hawks. Dogs will be spread out so they may not always be able to get to problem fast enough unless we have cover patches.

 

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

Is this for just personal usage or do you raise that many for income?

 

[centrarchid]

Is this for just personal usage or do you raise that many for income?

I sell a few although for token amounts relative to cost of raising. This whole mess has been mostly for fun and an enriching approaching to rearing my kids and my function as an agriculture educator. The agroforestry and aquaculture components to come on next will involve more income.

 

[centrarchid]

We are getting closer still. Fencing at on east side of property is going up today. All gates will be up with job completed by noon tomorrow.

Then seeding and tree plantings will commence!

 

[StinkyAcres]

West perimeter fencing showing where two rolls are spliced together.View attachment 3265309
View attachment 3265310View attachment 3265311

Ah, what is more beautiful than a newly-installed fence?! It looks so good.

 

[centrarchid]

Looks like we will be lucky to have job completed today. Weather / heat is not helping.

That aside, I have been contacted by an agroforestry researcher about developing an approach of generating an economically valuable fruit / nut crop with and understory with secondary value as forage / hay. This will be a component that is likely to be of greater interest to a broader range of backyard poultry keepers. Tree side of this will likely be those listed below. We are talking acres to be planted with trees.

Paw paws
Wild Plum
Chestnut
Hazelnut

 

[Perris]

That aside, I have been contacted by an agroforestry researcher about developing an approach of generating an economically valuable fruit / nut crop with and understory with secondary value as forage / hay. This will be a component that is likely to be of greater interest to a broader range of backyard poultry keepers.

Definitely; count me in!