So Plans are...pretty much done. Introducing The *REAL* Chicken Bus.

[Kassaundra]

Love the bus idea, I have thought of doing that too, but can't until we move to the country (if we ever get to) we live in town and my neighbors would stroke smooth out!!!!!!

How hot will it get in the summer?

And I am double jealous you live in Belize. I may eventually get my husband to move more south then we are, but as hard as I've tried he won't agree to Central or South America.

 

[CheekyMare]

This is my paddock shelter. Imagine that covering the bus. Heat is definitely a concern here, but the chickens are really only in the bus from dusk to dawn. There's lots of shade in the yard.

 

[EweSheep]

Now, how long would that thatch last before needing to replace it again?

 

[CheekyMare]

That is a Cohune thatch made from these trees.

It will only last 3-4 years without patching (which after Hurricane Richard, it needs now) But the horses don't mind the occasional drop of rain. 6-7 if you make a really steep pitch and a strong cap.

We could do a Bay leaf thatch which would last longer but the leaves are so scarce for over harvesting that they're hard to find.

Bay Leaf Sustainability

Cohune is a sustainable choice due to its rapid regrowth and also much quicker (about a week for a thatch to cover the bus) to both find and build.

 

[peterlund]

Quote:
Great work. I love it when good uses are made of obsolete things! Greetings from East Coast USA.

 

[CheekyMare]

Oh and I keep forgetting to answer, but yes I am planning to put at least two runs under the bus so that I can put in particular roos and hens together and also as a hospital/recuperation runs. That however is going to have to wait until I put in first some 4" minus and then top it with sand or crusher dust).

Like this:

and then this (one of the paddocks but you get the idea)

 

[iBoodle]

Love it! Bet your chickens do too!

 

[CheekyMare]

The guineas went in on their own tonight! (well, with some herding but they didn't have to be caught and carried)

The chickens were a little more stubborn.

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Maybe if you put a light in it, just until they get used to going in at dusk, that is how we got our chickens used to going in the coops at night.

 

[CheekyMare]

Oh they went in, just into their old coop, it took them two nights last time to go in on their own so hopefully the same this time. Feel super lucky about the guineas, I heard they are the most resistant to change.