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I have a question for you. I understand that you move them each day to help with smell, fresh grass, etc. But, do you have to worry about predators at night? My concern would be predators digging under and getting them. I love the tractor thing, but have been concerned about this piece. What do you do?
I guess I have been lucky but never lost any to predators and I live in the middle of the woods.Had a few carried of by dogs while free-ranging but never a wild animal.
I think if you move them alot, animals won't get use to them being in the same spot.If you were concerned you could probably lay wire around on the ground so they couldn't dig under,but you would have to move it with the tractor each day too.
I try to keep it on level solid ground so nothing can get a paw under,but thats it.I might set a trap if I think I have a visitor lurking around. Will
I have a small 4x8 tractor but don't have a pic of it uploaded. I have had pred problems with long term housing of birds over winter in it, but haven't yet in the spring/summer/fall when meat birds are growing up in it. My guess is in winter they get desperate and find chicken the best most nutritious meal.
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That looks great! What are the dimensions? How many birds can fit in it?
They are 8'X12' (actuall a couple inches longer so that I can use studs for bracing the roof). It makes for an easy build with four 8' 2X4s, 4 12' 2X4s, and wall studs underneath the tin. It's a little heavy though, since I've had problems with dogs, coyotes, and raccoons. I can move it by myself, but it takes about all I've got. I use the tractor (Kubota) almost every day.
I put 50 in them, but wouldn't do any more than that. It would be even better for 25 or so.
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That looks great! What are the dimensions? How many birds can fit in it?
They are 8'X12' (actuall a couple inches longer so that I can use studs for bracing the roof). It makes for an easy build with four 8' 2X4s, 4 12' 2X4s, and wall studs underneath the tin. It's a little heavy though, since I've had problems with dogs, coyotes, and raccoons. I can move it by myself, but it takes about all I've got. I use the tractor almost every day.
I put 50 in them, but wouldn't do any more than that. It would be even better for 25 or so.
Okay that's what I thought. We got started on ours today and are using that design. Do you keep the 50 in there until they are ready to be processed?