Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[aart]

The rooster booster no pick was a complete failure

Not that it ever does help....like a most fishing lures.

 

[Kris5902]

Not that it ever does help....like a most fishing lures.

Well, I had to try something in the meantime... I don’t have enough time in the day to hover over the waterer fending off the bullies so this poor boy can drink each day. I’m going to cull him, the main perpetrator, and the Barnvelder that is a little too forward, but not outright aggressive yet. At 6 months I’m thinking stew... but I’ll also get to see how my Barnvelder dresses out, and his nicer brother will still be there for breeding purposes.

 

[aart]

At 6 months I’m thinking stew

Yup!

 

[Ribh]

So glad I don't do roosters. They are very pretty but I can't handle the testosterone!

 

[Kris5902]

Well, we managed to put in 3 hours today on the hospital tractor for Puffy and Bossy, it always takes longer figuring a design out for the first time... I was originally thinking A frame, but changed my mind and decided to go with a 3’ on one side 2’ on the other sloped roofline instead to give the chickens some more useable space. It’s about 9’ long (give or take a few inches, i was working with scrap) and 4’ wide. Most of the fiddly bits are done so the rest should finish fairly quickly tomorrow, I hope.

We also did the annual Campbell Farm Easter egg hunt, and are “required” to participate in the family dinner which we will be heading down for shortly. And we tarped most of our house pieces, as we finally had a dry day and two people available to do it. 20x28’ tarps suck to use in wind, and are completely unmanageable with just one person! Tomorrow we will be going to the Easter sale to sell sausages for a few hours. All as well as regular chores and the like.

 

[drumstick diva]

Hope you had a Happy Easter.

 

[aart]

I was originally thinking A frame, but changed my mind

GOOD!!
A-frames are worthless, IMO.

It looks good, what will you use for a roof?

 

[Kris5902]

GOOD!!
A-frames are worthless, IMO.

It looks good, what will you use for a roof?

Off cuts from the roofing on my other three tractors... this one will be getting a larger overhang on the front I think, like a poarch, and minimal eaves on the sides. I’m hoping the rain will let up... I should have thought about it last night, and pushed on... skipped the family dinner and dishwashing duties and finished my box... there was enough light to work until 7:30/8, but now I’m going to have to wait until everything dries out. I’m a bit worried about getting adequate ventilation without drafts because it’s so small.

The more I thought about useable space for these girls the less an a frame made any sense... it would either have to be very tall to get the side angles reasonable, or be on little pony walls which would require way more framing materials.

 

[aart]

The more I thought about useable space for these girls the less an a frame made any sense...

..also hard to make weather proof and have decent ventilation.

 

[Kris5902]

I’m trying to figure out draft and rain free ventilation, it’s frustrating, and it’s pouring rain today so I’m just cleaning up for “company” tomorrow when we process the remaining cockerels. The other Farmer I went in on my meat chicken order with is coming to participate. It turns out that the Easter Market goes from 11am-3pm, setup started at 9 and cleanup will probably take until 4 or 5... so I’m letting Andrew do that on his own.

I plan on putting Sammy, Puffy and Bossy in here. Sammy wheezes when he exerts himself, chasing cows or squaring off against the (secured) cockerel pen. Sammy roosts so I’ve got a bar 13” high in the tall end for him, and the girls prefer to sleep on the ground due to their mobility issues. I’m thinking top front ventilation over the front and a vent at the top of the taller side doorwith an angled cover (like a dryer vent idea)

I’m a little worried I might be developing a house chicken here... she is just so comfy post breakfast and pedicure, I don’t want to take her back out to the barn!