New Chick Raiser - Looking for reassurance

[osufans]

So, we decided after some encouragement from some friends, to try raising chicks for meat this year. I looked at several styles of coops and decided to go with a tractor style coop. I saw a plan I liked and built a version of it. It is basically the garden ark (https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=37843-the-garden-ark) built a bit bigger. I made it 4wx8lx4h, with a 4x4x2 roost box on the upper back half.

I've been looking online here and just have a couple of questions - 1) How often do you have to move these around? 2) How big of an issue are predators when using an open bottom coop? I know we have raccoons, skunks, fox and coyote in the area.

Also, what does everyone do for an open range? I have 3 acres, with the backyard being just about 1 acre. There's a 20x50 garden in the backyard too...will the chickens be able to graze off of that and help with insect control? Do I have to worry about them eating young greens, or will they leave the plants alone and just scratch and pick at bugs/worms/etc?

BTW, I just picked up the chicks from TSC today...we got 4 Cornish X and 2 Barred Rocks. I wanted to see the difference in maturation between the two.

I'm hoping this turns out to be a fun family project, and maybe get my oldest son involved in 4H. I also liked another post I saw on here...just the whole idea of raising food on our own, showing a younger generation how to be responsible, and maybe learning a few things in the process.

Thanks all!

 

[osufans]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention....we do have hawks and owl in the area. How concerned do I need to be about that when letting the chickens range? Will they be ok once they are more grown?

Thanks!

 

[sune42]

I don't know much about tractor style coops. I believe they have to be moved a few times a day. The chickens will be interested in your garden, and will eat bugs etc. Your cornish X might not care too much for free ranging. Some people's do and most people's don't from what I read. The coop will be 32ft or the coop plus run will be 32ft? If the roost box is the coop part it will be tight for a bit. 8ft for 6 birds is pretty close quarters, but if you are letting them free range, it might help. After the cornish x are processed, it will be better. Good luck.

 

[osufans]

the whole coop yard is 32 sq/ft, with the roost part being 16 sq/ft (suspended above the yard.) it is all contained in an enclosure that is 4' wide by 4' tall by 8' long.

in regards to the garden, do you have to worry about the chickens eating young greens, i.e. seedlings?

lastly, what do i need to do to ensure adequate protection from varmints? i have some 1/2" mesh fencing i am using for part of the roost floor, should i put a layer of that along the bottom half of the walls of my coop (it's 2', so i could put a layer over my chicken wire.)

would really hate to lose them over something like that.

thanks!

 

[chickbird]

Quote:
THEY WILL EAT BUGS BUT ALMOST ANYTHING THAT IS PLANTED IN THE GARDEN, THEY WILL EAT YOUNG GREENS RIGHT DOWN TO THE GROUND.

 

[mikecnorthwest]

I think the great thing about having chickens is that you can pretty much do whatever works for you. If the hens are healthy and producing then you're doing fine. I wouldn't over analyze things. For the tractor, you can move it whenever you want or don't move it at all. It just depends on what you want to do. The purpose in moving it is to give the ground a chance to recover and to give the hens some new turf. If you let the hens out to free range during the day they'll get all the new turf they can handle. As for the hawks, owls, etc., it's always a chance that one will get a hen but then again that's nature isn't it. Since you're using a tractor and not a full size coop, I'd lean towards letting them have their freedom.

And now the most important item... you owe us a picture or two as mentioning a coop and not posting a pic is a violation of etiquette.

 

[osufans]

Sorry, I hadn't found out how/where to upload them when I started this thread.

Here ya go:




It's not completely done yet...still needs a roof, and I'm probably gonna have to frame in the door panels to provide better security and strength.

And of course....here are the chicks!

 

[mikecnorthwest]

Looks good... thanks for the pic.