Red Heaven Chicken Spa & Resort

[MT45]

2 questions for the group …

1) We are planning to NOT have food or water in the coop itself. Summer water is the passive/rain barrel fed cup system, and winter would be a hot plate and insulated bucket type water system out in the predator protected run. Food would be out there also. There is an automatic door separating the run and coop Any issues with that plan?

2) What base would you recommend to put down in the run? It’s grass now - could we start with that?

Thanks!

 

[aart]

1) We are planning to NOT have food or water in the coop itself. Summer water is the passive/rain barrel fed cup system, and winter would be a hot plate and insulated bucket type water system out in the predator protected run. Food would be out there also. There is an automatic door separating the run and coop Any issues with that plan?

What is your climate?
Putting your general location in your profile is a good idea.

2) What base would you recommend to put down in the run? It’s grass now - could we start with that?

Let them tear up the grass first, then coarse wood chippings from a tree trimmer is the best run bedding IMO.

 

[MT45]

What is your climate?
Putting your general location in your profile is a good idea.

I just added it. We are in East TN
Love the wood chips idea after grass is gone

 

[MT45]

Way. To. Go! If the chickens don't like it you can always turn it into a short-term rental.

Based on the time, money and effort I put in, I do feel like I should charge the chickens rent!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Based on the time, money and effort I put in, I do feel like I should charge the chickens rent!

They'll start paying in about 6 months

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Very nice coop/run build!

 

[2ndTink]

They'll start paying in about 6 months

On days that it is convenient for them you know, when it's not too hot, not too cold, not too dark, not too stormy, nothing scary happened in the last 24 hours, the treat to boring feed ratio is just right...

 

[Auntiejessi3]

On days that it is convenient for them you know, when it's not too hot, not too cold, not too dark, not too stormy, nothing scary happened in the last 24 hours, the treat to boring feed ratio is just right...

Isn't that the truth

 

[2ndTink]

We're just kidding @MT45 chickens are great and you're going to love them! The laying depends on the breed, and even which hatchery / bloodline they are.

My best layers are some Black Astraulorps that are 4 years old, not sure which hatchery unfortunately because I'd get more. I also have some slacking Black Astraulorps from another hatchery. I'm not sure if you've picked your breeds yet, what is best for your farm all depends on what you want out of them. Is your focus a good layer that you can process later, pretty chickens, funky chickens, is the egg laying rate a top priority, how important is longevity.

 

[MT45]

I'm impressed. That coop and run should last you years and years.

But, if those roosts are what you plan to use, they are going to be pooping on each other. Best to keep roosts at the same height and 18" apart.

Ok Penpal, thanks for that advice, and today I remade the roost bars. Back row is 12” from back wall and there is 17” between each roost bar. I had to give up one row entirely, but each bar is 5 feet long, so I still have 20 linear feet of roosting space. The roost height (it’s 30”) is about a foot higher than my nesting boxes. I kept the folding “up and away” engineering that I had originally. These fold even flatter to the wall for easy cleaning.

And now, folded away for cleaning …