roost system in need of revision

[centrarchid]

Proof of concept structure is likely to be made of completely different materials than final product.

This image represents what is in place know.

Final product to be made up of six times as much roosting areas with access all around perimeter. Access points still a weak spot but will be figured out. Image of roof which will likely be metal.

Actual roost will be a challenge. Will be load bearing and have to acomodate needs of chicks as they grow and roost preferences change. When first stocked into roost, chicks will likely prefer to roost on flat surface in a pile. As they grow spreading out and preference for actual perch should be norm. Structure will look somewhat like a wagon wheel. Will be smaller than roof shown above.

No vertical support structures shown. May need to have bottom of roost about 6 feet above ground. Will permit head counts, servicing / cleaning as well as harvesting.

 

[kathyinmo]

Any kind of change stresses chickens. I know for a fact that I can stress them just by changing things around in the coop, such as moving nests. It would seem to me that you continually make changes, and I would think your chickens would be totally stressed out.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
This cohort will be stressed so later cohorts of production seasons 2011 and beyond will not be.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
This cohort will be stressed so later cohorts of production seasons 2011 and beyond will not be.

With your chickens out in the open like that, it is unlikely you will even have any chickens left by 2011.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
This cohort will be stressed so later cohorts of production seasons 2011 and beyond will not be.

With your chickens out in the open like that, it is unlikely you will even have any chickens left by 2011.

Broodstock are cooped so cohorts of 2011 are probable. This is only group so kept of several I have. Yes, they are higher risk but I feel will enable improvements over strict lock down system in place for most of my flock at present.

 

[centrarchid]

Tonight I watched the Cackle Gang get to roost yet again. Making the entrance wider helped greatly but still early arrivals hunkered down along entrance way obstructing access of late arrivals. Somehow, roost sites further from entrance will need to be made more attractive so early arrivals will go there.


Potential future measures of roost quality will be how long it takes birds to enter roost and quickly they settle down after entering.

A major problem, previously identified is the limited flight capacity of the dominiques. Four feet vertical is best they can muster with loaded crop and not being startled. Some of this is a function of feathering, some a function of muscle and skeletal development. Selecting to improve latter may impose on growth rate.

 

[centrarchid]

The area available for roosting has been increased roughly 50% by rotating straw bales. This should reduce time birds require to get settled. Tonight I will time start of going to roost till time of final positioning.

Front aspect of roost.

Side aspect of roost.

Thereafter, I will incrementally lower pallet serving as launch point to see what limitations are. Red jungle fowl will not be challenged, dominiques are going to have problems that conditioning may remedy. Will have to be present for going to roost.

Repositioning of bales should make structure more resistant to southern wind. As is, north wind wood be a problem. That will be fixed later.

 

[kathyinmo]

Those poor birds.

 

[centrarchid]

Two interesting things to note about entry into roost.

First was effects of wind which was not limited to the Cackle Gang. All day we have been having a brisk wind out of south. Birds with options in other wind exposed pens simply face into wind as they fly up to roost, probably with less effort than required in a low wind situation. The Cackle Gang has no such choice since access south facing. As they staged for flight up to roost wind kept catching feathers, ballooning them and pushing birds forward. When birds launched, wind pushed them forward straining their ability to make proper landing. This can be overcome by making certain flight into roost can come from any compass direction.

Second is a wing clearance issue. During landing flapping stroke is at maximum amplitude resulting in wings striking both roost pole and roof of roost. Striking roost pole consistent with dominiques landing under virtually all situations. Striking roof on other hand may make roost entry more difficult. Clearance will have to be built in between landing points and roof. May also protect feathers.

 

[jasonm11]

Quote:
very funny