Investing More In American Dominiques

[centrarchid]

From two directions the sound is "amplified" while from all others it is somewhat muffled. One of the those directions is the house. Not all roosters in barn are properly located for it to work.

 

[centrarchid]

W just got a new 10 x 16 garden shed. Chicken stuff can not be stored there.

 

[centrarchid]

Tonight I applied duplicate bands to birds that will be kept and removed bands from birds to be culled. Effort made much easier by pens I could stand up in while doing the work. Roost were correct height for me to band without actually holding birds making process much faster. Culled cockerels were then placed in their own bachelor pen.

 

[centrarchid]

The bachelor pen has been fired up. It has the capacity for 18 but was stocked with seven males. They have settled down nicely after very brief scrapping over rank. Another such pen will be constructed that will not be in barn. The outside pen will provide minimal protection from wind but will provide shade. Larger groups of males will be able to buddy up on roost when really cold.

 

[centrarchid]

Here is how a single 6-foot roosting pole looks when supporting 7 cockerels each just over 6 lbs. A sparrow might be able to squeeze on as well.

Soon I will acquire a 10-foor pole that will be positioned forward and below. I am skeptical the pole will be able to support an additional 10 birds or so. Pens were sized to provide ample space for 18 birds but will likely support only 12.

 

[dlp40]

Looks roomy,lol. With the 10ft roost i agree unless it's a 4x4 post, weight in the center will be an issue. I would just fasion a vertical support pole, nothing large(2x2 or a 2x4), and just let it hold the center weight. Any roost worth having with a center support brace will not bend.
Now to read from the begaining, oops.

 

[dlp40]

Read it all, freaking awesome thread! Makes me want to focus such energy on my newest project, silkies! I live in a sub-division so no barn for me
Very insipering, informative, and eye-onpening thread. Sorrt to hear of the loses but you seemed to adjust and correct quickly.
Very happy i went back and read from the beginning.

 

[centrarchid]

Egg production of 2015 pullets is ramping up. Next challenges will involve acquiring a decent incubator and building a brooder in the barn. Previously both incubation and early brooding were done in my man-room which was originally intended for use as a fish room. No more chick rearing in the house. Brooder will need heating and possibly ventilation for late season cohorts.


First round of hatching will be enabled by eggs collected from four pullets and two hens not old enough for use in brood pens. Once everything running then best eggs from best hens will be run through.

 

[centrarchid]

My efforts to promote better plant community may have backfired. A relatively large number of songbirds has begun roosting in the bamboo thicket established to north of barn. The songbirds are putting a dent in feed and soiling water. As far as I can tell Coopers Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks are providing me no benefits with this issue. The songbirds may also be bringing in disease issues.

 

[aart]

My efforts to promote better plant community may have backfired. A relatively large number of songbirds has begun roosting in the bamboo thicket established to north of barn. The songbirds are putting a dent in feed and soiling water. As far as I can tell Coopers Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks are providing me no benefits with this issue. The songbirds may also be bringing in disease issues.

Oy!