Mini-van-coop-fire evacuation-mobile, PREDATOR BREAK IN!

[joan1708]

There isn't any chance you could video tape your trailer move, is there? I'm having a hard time picturing it.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I might be able to do that, what with the amazing technology most of my kids have in their cell phones and digital cameras. It isn't an elegant operation, and I want to improve upon it, but since I'm down to 6 now in the tractor/van, I figure I can wait until it is empty to make those improvements. Knowing me, I won't actually make the improvements until I have another batch of little ones waiting to move out of the brooder next spring.

 

[nuchickontheblock]

I've just read all 17 pages of your thread. Wow! your have had quite a summer. I am so glad things have worked out so well for you considering the situation. Sounds like you are a very smart, imaginative and strong woman. Hope things continue to go well.

 

[DeannaOR]

I really do love the idea of a childrens book! You are one tenacious lady =)

 

[Heat]

Thanks for keeping us updated. I really love your mini-van idea and actually got a lot of help from the earlier picture you posted of your run. You actually shared it with me on one of my threads looking for ideas to cover my run. I have a stationary run but built the sides with pallets lined with screen mesh and used electrical conduit for the hoops on top. I then threw chicken wire over it (just need to keep the neighbors dog out!) and it has been working beautifully.

Thank you so so so much for sharing your idea and trials with it! Glad you all made it safely through that fire.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I might be able to do that, what with the amazing technology most of my kids have in their cell phones and digital cameras. It isn't an elegant operation, and I want to improve upon it, but since I'm down to 6 now in the tractor/van, I figure I can wait until it is empty to make those improvements. Knowing me, I won't actually make the improvements until I have another batch of little ones waiting to move out of the brooder next spring.

Hah! Do I know myself or what? OK, it's spring and I have to get to work on rebuilding and reinforcing the man-door on the end of the tractor and figuring out a better way to attach the tractor to the van so that moving the whole contraption goes easier and smoother. We have unseasonably cold weather right now with lows between 7 degrees and 12 degrees most nights this week, so that is my excuse for not getting going on my repairs. I thought I'd just take this thread out of hibernation rather than start fresh.

Hi Ho Hennabego! AWAY!

 

[SunnysMama]

This is seriously one of the cleverest things I have ever seen!!! Love it!!

 

[aart]

Just read thru this whole saga.....can't wait to follow this year's adventure, hopefully all set in your nice safe, sufficiently rained upon homestead.

Wondered if you were able to close the back hatch each night while attached to the run, it looked rather inaccessible.

Good Luck Clever Woman!

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Yes, closing back hatch was not a problem. I had to enter the run through the back door and then reach up to close the hatch. The problem was that the roof of the run itself didn't allow me to open the hatch fully. This wasn't a problem when the Freedom Rangers were mature and put themselves to bed every night. Then I just went into the run, raised the little pop-door and latched it and lowered the hatch. However, when the chickens were young I'd have to catch each one individually, duck under the partly opened hatch, lower the pop door, stuff it inside, raise the pop-door so they wouldn't try to get out, grab the next bird and repeat the whole process. It was tough on the back as well as resulting in some bumps to the head and shoulder if I didn't duck low enough. I'm trying to figure out how to expand the height and/or width of the part of the tractor that connects to the van to allow the hatch to fully open without decreasing the security and letting potential predators in.

 

[StephieSky]

Epic
The whole "lives before luggage" was so very human. Sometimes people try to quash the things that make us human in the first place. And they devolve in the process of hiding their emotions, becoming little more than animals themselves. You're definately human and exactly the kind of peeople this world needs more of!

I think you are awesome! awesome! awesome!