NeoHomesteader
Chirping
- May 7, 2020
- 39
- 53
- 96
Recently purchased 4 acre property we were living on. It came with a dozen Rhode Island Reds. And a very shabby lock up night sleeping area, and were let to free range. They also let the dog free range, and he actually shepherded pretty well considering he was a boxer. 5 years ago
Got tired of the dog disappearing for hours out of the day, so we kibosh-ed the dog free ranging and started losing our flock. Over the next four years we introduced another five birds of which we have one left and 5 muscokies that are only free ranged if we are home. We got them to keep predators at bay. Turns out their eggs are not as yummy as chickens.
I had added to original pen, by building a coop, out of as repurposed deck and some t111 and some found shingles, and the heavy alum screen door of the front of the house cuz we upgraded.
Added more run with garden fencing, and some landscape ties. Purchased 30000 feet of poly twine for 35 bucks to make anti-fly netting, to keep hawks away, kids tried to do it. so most of run is now 4.5' high instead of 6' but it totally works.
Done screwing around. got 54 more birds now, including 2 turkeys (thought they could bed with ducks, that might not be true) , 5 guineas for tick control, also to bed with turkeys and ducks) and the rest are RI reds, JGs, black asians, wynadotts easter eggers, orpingtons and we think 1 bantam brahma. WTF? 1/2 of these are pets.
Currently we were planning to rip out dining room , so i built a brooder in the dining room. (getting gutted when they are moved out to make a new BathRoom and pantry)
As they grew decided the pen was not enough so moved sheeting out to encompass whole room, with window and glass door access . Built a cage around the glass door on the porch so they can go outside, and am completely whipped now. When they knock on the glass door to get let out...
Surprisingly for me... not so much the wife who bonded with last dozen poultry. I go outside and there are three birds. I whistle and the cascade of feathered flock come s running out the door... so happy to see me like my 4 ear old after I went to work. Its like a tidal wave of a feathered friendly.
I can call them back in to. The whistling is important. I make sure to whistle all the time around them.
Anywho. Looked through Opas roll away design. And some others. Like his as its the angle I thought should work well (~10 degrees) also going large (close to 24") as I have some bigguns. and am expecting 5 per box a day. Our hen house is a 16x8 Basically making a wall inside my coop with the egg release into the storage area . So one door to all the goodies.
Will post a progress thread when I am done. This whole process (includes not just chicken but setting up an RV for my Dad) because of a wind storm and a tree falling. Crazy story that worked out well for everyone.
Got tired of the dog disappearing for hours out of the day, so we kibosh-ed the dog free ranging and started losing our flock. Over the next four years we introduced another five birds of which we have one left and 5 muscokies that are only free ranged if we are home. We got them to keep predators at bay. Turns out their eggs are not as yummy as chickens.
I had added to original pen, by building a coop, out of as repurposed deck and some t111 and some found shingles, and the heavy alum screen door of the front of the house cuz we upgraded.
Added more run with garden fencing, and some landscape ties. Purchased 30000 feet of poly twine for 35 bucks to make anti-fly netting, to keep hawks away, kids tried to do it. so most of run is now 4.5' high instead of 6' but it totally works.
Done screwing around. got 54 more birds now, including 2 turkeys (thought they could bed with ducks, that might not be true) , 5 guineas for tick control, also to bed with turkeys and ducks) and the rest are RI reds, JGs, black asians, wynadotts easter eggers, orpingtons and we think 1 bantam brahma. WTF? 1/2 of these are pets.
Currently we were planning to rip out dining room , so i built a brooder in the dining room. (getting gutted when they are moved out to make a new BathRoom and pantry)
As they grew decided the pen was not enough so moved sheeting out to encompass whole room, with window and glass door access . Built a cage around the glass door on the porch so they can go outside, and am completely whipped now. When they knock on the glass door to get let out...
Surprisingly for me... not so much the wife who bonded with last dozen poultry. I go outside and there are three birds. I whistle and the cascade of feathered flock come s running out the door... so happy to see me like my 4 ear old after I went to work. Its like a tidal wave of a feathered friendly.
I can call them back in to. The whistling is important. I make sure to whistle all the time around them.
Anywho. Looked through Opas roll away design. And some others. Like his as its the angle I thought should work well (~10 degrees) also going large (close to 24") as I have some bigguns. and am expecting 5 per box a day. Our hen house is a 16x8 Basically making a wall inside my coop with the egg release into the storage area . So one door to all the goodies.
Will post a progress thread when I am done. This whole process (includes not just chicken but setting up an RV for my Dad) because of a wind storm and a tree falling. Crazy story that worked out well for everyone.
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