roost system in need of revision

[centrarchid]

Design constraints becoming increasingly like a giant martin house. Access by flying in requires a larger entrance than typical coop entrances designed for walk in access. Present gap of 12 inches prevents proper wing flight strokes needed as birds heft themselves in. Will attempt to remedy by rotating straw bale 90 degrees on long access to yeild a gap of almost 18 inches. The birds are learning to compensate for wind which should not be a problem during production season.

 

[centrarchid]

Enabling easy access of flying chickens requires a vertical gap of just over twice the height of a birds back. Most rapid access yet. They settled in quickly as well. Low temperature may have played a role in settling in. They also packed closer together. Crops were packed with grain so they do feed up more on cold days.

 

[centrarchid]

Access issues settled by very modest repositioning of flight boards used for by birds entering roost. Positions of flight boards and nature of roost supports should exclude predators like oppossums of raccoons but will not stop a fox since declawed cats can still bound up into roost. Still must have dog for foxes.


One problem remaining which is not directly related to roost is the persistance of birds falling out. Same individuals involved. Suspect strongly a genetic component to this as only two strains showing habit. Selection against trait will be aggressive, if varments do not take them out, then freezer camp or one-way trip to neighbor ladies interested in backyard egg production will.

Presently young Cackle doms appear challenged by cold. Wind breaks will be enhanced but will have to be removed for summer production as 72 birds would over-heat and be prone to relocate.

 

[Kansaseq]

Quote:
I understand you are trying to be minimalistic in your approach here, but you have to remember; these are living, breathing creatures that depend on us for protection from the elements as well as predators. Regardless whether or not you plan to eat them, your birds need a lot more in the way of shelter and protection.

 

[Sissy]

Interesting thread.but
I agree birds need more protection.

 

[BlacksheepCardigans]

I've been watching this thread with interest. Here's what I see: Right now, to make progress on your considerable challenges, you have instituted a kind of rickety half-coop. You're already way out of the desired "true" free roosting because you've instituted windbreaks and flat roosting and wire. What they're in now is no more "natural" than my barn. By the time you have solved all the problems, you'll have built a coop.

So... Go build a coop. Skip all the nonsense that hurts your birds as they fall victim to the intermediate steps. Build it four feet off the ground if that makes you happier, so they have to fly up and in, but for heaven's sakes just build a safe and warm coop.

 

[centrarchid]

Birds to be moved to coop later today, experiment complete. At no point was this to be a true open roosting system, especially for winter conditions. Note earlier in thread this experiment is to enable refinements of a summer roost system that will be made to be more solid as a coop.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Your set up will not prevent raccoons from getting to those birds. If a chicken can get there, so can a coon...

Quote:
Falling out being genetic would really surprise me. Have you considered they may have been "pushed" out? Varmits taking them out is quite likely .... I am surprised they have survived this long.

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Challenged by the cold .... did you not expect this??? I thought you said this was a "summer roost" experiment.

I find this entire thread very disturbing. Experimenting with these live animals and documenting your lack of concern for their welfare is disheartening. I only check back because I keep thinking ..... surely he will give up on this nonsense!

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Quote:
Freezing temperatures, frozen water, horrific winds lately .... gee, it's nice to know your "summer roost" experiment is over.

Those poor poor birds.

 

[KIDDSBANTAMS]

I do not understand anyone who has any type of animals that they do not protect. As far as flying, they will not be able to fly that high for long and a racoon can climb a t-post. I do not pamper my chickens, they are feed and they have shelter from preditors, they can not built the coop themselves. My chickens would not survive one night left outside like that, to me that is being very cruel, it is like you want them to be attacked, like it is a game. I don't understand why you have chickens if you are not going to be responible and protect them. They depend on us humans for that protection. I have hasd dogs kill my hens and it is horrible. It is wrong what you are doing.

 

[RareBreedFancier]

Hi, your idea is interesting but at only 4' high, your birds are toast.

Foxes and cats can both make 6' jumps, just ask my budgies who used to live on top of my old 6' tall fridge and now sit on top of a 7' high cabinet because one of my house cats 'visited' them. That is a free jump too, the old fridge stands alone in the landing, nothing to help the cats jump up there. I don't have to deal with opossums or raccoons here but I'm betting 4' is easy work for them too.

I like the idea of cheap and easy paddock roosts but I'm not willing to let my birds get eaten so I'll stick with locking them up in a portable paddock house on skids.

I'm so glad your putting you birds back in a coop where they are safe.