Suz, you might want to do some research regarding the feeding frequency. I know that a lot of folks are with-holding food, maybe feeding twice/day to avoid the many problems of the CXR. (I assume that's what you have) You need to strike a balance between meeting their nutritional needs as they are bred for super fast growth, and slowing them down to avoid the leg/heart issues. You might also look into the options of reduced protein, fermented feed, and offering a vitamin supplement. Re: bathing. It's certainly warm enough that you could bathe their bellies safely, but... if they are already looking better, maybe time will fix the problem. Your choice there!
Bucka, I hear you regarding the effort in moving these buildings. Yours was huge. Hubby and I moved my 2 panel hoop green house last weekend. We put it on PVC rollers and muscled it about 100' over hill and dale to it's new/permanent location. It will reside 20' to the the NE corner of the new coop. My plan is to cover it with plexiglass on the ends around the doors, a single sheet of corrugated clear siding at bottom of each wall, skirt below that, and chicken wire covered with green house tarp above. It will be used for a sun room for the flock in the winter, and a green house for me in the spring/early summer. It has freed up so much garden that I'm beside myself with glee! Now, to move the 8 x 12 (2 story) hoop coop. That weighs a ton, and has been sitting for 2 winters, (no PT framing) so, I'm sure it's gotta be moved this year or will not survive a future move. Luckily it only needs to slide back about 40' over fairly level ground. I have plenty of options for pushing the season in the garden proper. The easiest one by far is to construct a hay bale cold frame along the north edge of the garden. It's faced and topped with construction plastic over a make do frame of cattle panel and patio door storm panels. Then, there's an other super easy PVC frame attached to drilled 2 x 4 and 1 x 3 framing. Sets up very easily, and again, covered with construction plastic. Then, even simpler than that is the lengths of rebar that are bent at 90* angles for a tunnel.
Bucka, I hear you regarding the effort in moving these buildings. Yours was huge. Hubby and I moved my 2 panel hoop green house last weekend. We put it on PVC rollers and muscled it about 100' over hill and dale to it's new/permanent location. It will reside 20' to the the NE corner of the new coop. My plan is to cover it with plexiglass on the ends around the doors, a single sheet of corrugated clear siding at bottom of each wall, skirt below that, and chicken wire covered with green house tarp above. It will be used for a sun room for the flock in the winter, and a green house for me in the spring/early summer. It has freed up so much garden that I'm beside myself with glee! Now, to move the 8 x 12 (2 story) hoop coop. That weighs a ton, and has been sitting for 2 winters, (no PT framing) so, I'm sure it's gotta be moved this year or will not survive a future move. Luckily it only needs to slide back about 40' over fairly level ground. I have plenty of options for pushing the season in the garden proper. The easiest one by far is to construct a hay bale cold frame along the north edge of the garden. It's faced and topped with construction plastic over a make do frame of cattle panel and patio door storm panels. Then, there's an other super easy PVC frame attached to drilled 2 x 4 and 1 x 3 framing. Sets up very easily, and again, covered with construction plastic. Then, even simpler than that is the lengths of rebar that are bent at 90* angles for a tunnel.
