Pole Shed to House Cages for Bachelors, Breeding, Brooding, Isolation/Observation

[aart]

I started with holes excavated with a backhoe so each approximately 2' wide by 4' deep. I attached 4"x4" posts 10' long to each truss, both sides. I knew height & positioning adjustments would be required so did not backfill.

AhhhhhHA!

 

[Ted Brown]

AhhhhhHA!

LOL! I have long wished for sky hooks but the technology is not there...

Yet

 

[Ted Brown]

I had to hold my phone in arms outstretched taking shot backwards; shows alignment of the two ridge beams but not elevation. You will get the idea.

 

[Ted Brown]

Life gets in the way...

My sister and BIL visit each year for September & October, they were of great help when I built the coop and, the next year, the run.

This year (today) sister took charge of my/our first culling - 5 excess roosters (4 Chants). Excessively thought about and planned, now done.

Tomorrow we will grill a 5lb dressed Chant "Cider & maple glazed Chantecler with roasted leeks, sweet baby potatoes & mushrooms." (30 minutes in the oven @450F, finish on the grill at 350F.

 

[Ted Brown]

The Chant rooster cooked was uneatable, beyond tough: did not let bird rest enough; five others rested properly then freezer-ed; verdict TBD.

Rookie mistake!

 

[Sally PB]

You can use the leftover meat and bones to make broth.

 

[Ted Brown]

Awesome fall but winter threatens...

I diverted to separating all males from females using my 2 level cage condo + old crap 8' x 5' x 3' cage REBUILT:

The pics pretty much tell the story.

 

[Ted Brown]

You can use the leftover meat and bones to make broth.

My awesome sister was here through all of this; broth is made and in the freezer in one cup sizes.

 

[Ted Brown]

Today I consolidated 8 cockerels with my #2 Chantecler roo to a temporary bachelor pad (see above) and moved 2 misidentified pullets into the main coop/run "cold turkey". I thought I had completed the separation but sister tells me 1 misidentified cockerel left in main coop. Picture below show first 5 cockerels set with #2 roo.

 

[Ted Brown]

Bachelor pad quiet & bloodless this morning, current population 9; also have 3 roos kept for selective breeding (see upper level of cage condo above); sister says 1 more cockerel mix still in coop/run.

First time more than 5 years with hen only coop/run, very different.

These two are a Chantecler over Barred Rock cross; from mistakes on my part selecting eggs. Will keep hens to see if better egg production results.