Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

[yakmayar]

The coop is 4'x7'. It was originally planned at 4'x8', but I had to make changes after running into some tree stump issues.

I can reach the poop bar without crawling in, especially since I have the back door in the opposite corner. However, in order to replace the PDZ or get all the way to the back, I probably will have to crawl in some. I spent many hours planning this coop/run and way more building it. I hope I was able to glean as many good ideas from people on these forums so that I don't see any major issues once my chickens start living in it.

 

[TexasLisa]

The coop is 4'x7'. It was originally planned at 4'x8', but I had to make changes after running into some tree stump issues.

I can reach the poop bar without crawling in, especially since I have the back door in the opposite corner. However, in order to replace the PDZ or get all the way to the back, I probably will have to crawl in some. I spent many hours planning this coop/run and way more building it. I hope I was able to glean as many good ideas from people on these forums so that I don't see any major issues once my chickens start living in it.

Yakmayar, there might be one issue you haven't considered.......chicken math=larger coop.

 

[yakmayar]

We plan to only have 6-8 chickens, but had to order more both because the silkies could not be sexed and this time of year most places require at least an order of 15. We plan to raise them as long as possible and then sell/give them away.

 

[debid]

Chicken math is a real disease. Symptoms include feeling weak at the sound of peeping, becoming convinced of having room for "just one more", and a strange draw to farm store bins.

 

[casportpony]

We plan to only have 6-8 chickens, but had to order more both because the silkies could not be sexed and this time of year most places require at least an order of 15. We plan to raise them as long as possible and then sell/give them away.

If you're open to selling them for meat, you should have no trouble selling excess Silkies to the Asian community. Just yesterday on of my duck customers was asking if I knew of any for sale.

 

[AllynTal]

If you're open to selling them for meat, you should have no trouble selling excess Silkies to the Asian community. Just yesterday on of my duck customers was asking if I knew of any for sale.

Oh absolutely. Black silkie meat is very flavorful and it's been described as one of the 'superfoods' because it is much higher in nutritional value than 'regular' chicken. It is very big in the Asian community. Silkie meat is, apparently, one of the foods with a high content of carnosine. You can Google it to find the health benefits of carnosine.

https://www.amazon.com/Silkie-Black-Meat-Chicken-Avg/dp/B00CST7SWE

I would love to get some silkies for meat, but my mother-in-law would faint from shock. She has a small flock of pet silkies and is mortified if I even hint at eating one.

 

[Blooie]

Oh absolutely. Black silkie meat is very flavorful and it's been described as one of the 'superfoods' because it is much higher in nutritional value than 'regular' chicken. It is very big in the Asian community. Silkie meat is, apparently, one of the foods with a high content of carnosine. You can Google it to find the health benefits of carnosine.

https://www.amazon.com/Silkie-Black-Meat-Chicken-Avg/dp/B00CST7SWE

I would love to get some silkies for meat, but my mother-in-law would faint from shock. She has a small flock of pet silkies and is mortified if I even hint at eating one.

Katie would have apoplexy!

 

[Merrymouse]

The coop is 4'x7'. It was originally planned at 4'x8', but I had to make changes after running into some tree stump issues.

I can reach the poop bar without crawling in, especially since I have the back door in the opposite corner. However, in order to replace the PDZ or get all the way to the back, I probably will have to crawl in some. I spent many hours planning this coop/run and way more building it. I hope I was able to glean as many good ideas from people on these forums so that I don't see any major issues once my chickens start living in it.

Great thanks! Gives me hope Ill be able to do the same set up and reach it. Mine is very similar but 4x8. I had to adjust my run size for stumps and rocks though so I feel your pain. Looks great!

 

[Merrymouse]

Sorry to hijack thread.....now back to your regularly scheduled MHP programming

 

[Merrymouse]

Chicken math is a real disease. Symptoms include feeling weak at the sound of peeping, becoming convinced of having room for "just one more", and a strange draw to farm store bins.