Master Breeders: Please tell me about your facilities

[3riverschick]

I don't have an exact number off hand. But I can easily keep a hundred or more chicks in one of our 16x11 pens through 5 weeks.

So that's 1.76 sq. ft. per 5 week old chick. So, figuring 7 chicks per brooder, if I plan on 2 sq. ft. per chick that gives me room to subtract the space taken up by the feed, water and grit and still have enough room for each chick.
Ok, I am putting in an 8" by 8" brooder shed. If I arrange the 3 brooders around the walls on three sides it will work. On the right and left sides each gets a 2.5' x 6" brooder. The across the back wall a 2' x 8' brooder which I can divide in 1/2 if I happen to get 2 of 4 chick hatches. I use 2 or 3 Brinsea Mini Advances for my breeding season. Each holds 7 eggs. That is why I am making brooders with 7 chicks each in mind.
Thanks!
Karen

 

[Yellow House Farm]

That sounds about right, because I was thinking about 2 sq' per chick. Then around then I separate them cockerels from pullets; so that halves the number.

 

[3riverschick]

That sounds about right, because I was thinking about 2 sq' per chick. Then around then I separate them cockerels from pullets; so that halves the number.

Ok, I can divide the 8x24 ft. yard into 2 yards for pullets and cockerels..
Do you think it would be better to divide it into 2 quan. 8' x 12' (better for "flocking" in a group)or 2 quan. 4' x 24' yards (better for lots of exercise) ?
Best,
Karen

 

[Yellow House Farm]

I'd probably do 2 4x24s. I'd definitely plan on a mature male and one mature female in with the cockerels to keep the peace under close quarters.

 

[3riverschick]

I'd probably do 2 4x24s. I'd definitely plan on a mature male and one mature female in with the cockerels to keep the peace under close quarters.

Hum.
I was gonna cull Rocky who has been taking care of the egg flock.
I guess I could put him and Zero (the non-laying hen) in with the
youngsters. That would leave Knight and Day in the big coop with
the egg flock. Not a bad idea. Rocky and Zero get a reprieve.
Thanks!
Karen

 

[donrae]

Ok, I can divide the 8x24 ft. yard into 2 yards for pullets and cockerels..
Do you think it would be better to divide it into 2 quan. 8' x 12' (better for "flocking" in a group)or 2 quan. 4' x 24' yards (better for lots of exercise) ?
Best,
Karen

Myself, I'd go with the 8x12. Pens that are 4 foot wide are a pita for me, I'm always getting a rake or something caught in the fence. I like the wider space to work in, vs a long narrow space. I think the birds will get just as much exercise, just more turns

 

[poltroon]

Do you share fence lines between adjacent runs, or do you choose to run some sort of solid barrier between?

 

[3riverschick]

Do you share fence lines between adjacent runs, or do you choose to run some sort of solid barrier between?

Hi,
If different sexes in different pens, I think a 3 ft. high solid wall would be a good idea.
Best,
Karen

 

[gjensen]

Do you share fence lines between adjacent runs, or do you choose to run some sort of solid barrier between?

If you have cock birds in the adjacent runs, you may have trouble with them fighting through the wire. The wire itself can do a lot of damage. Generally a 24"-32" barrier will keep them out of sight and mind.

I do not like for the cockerels to see the pullets. It stirs up competition, and I cannot keep them together as long.

 

[NanaKat]

Hi

We are working on remodeling an outside yard. It will eventually handle 42-48 birds
in 2 areas. Which do you think will be better? 2 of 8'x12' yards or 2 of 4'x24' yards?
On another note, we are putting in a brooder shed and I am trying to
figure out the arrangement of the brooders in the shed.
Since Dorkings are about the same size as my large fowl Light Sussex.
How much room per bird do I need to have in a brooder if I want to raise the chicks in
them until they are 5 weeks old?
Thanks,
Karen

Quote:

I'd probably do 2 4x24s. I'd definitely plan on a mature male and one mature female in with the cockerels to keep the peace under close quarters.

I understand Yellow House Farm's reason for the 4 x 24 runs, but Im thinking the 8 x 12 would be easier to till and care for the yard. Exercise in both would really be the same.

Quote: I have found hanging a run of shade cloth on the fence provides a barrier that allows air flow.