Tell me that this is a bad idea... broiler setup in/on raised bed

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks again for the input. I don't think that we have mink/weasels in my suburban neighborhood, but I could be wrong. I'm sure we have raccoons around, but so far they have passed up our yard after a scuffle with one of the dogs a few years ago. I'm sure tasty pieces of chicken clucking around in the yard will be a pretty attractive draw though! The 1/2" welded wire mesh SHOULD be raccoon resistant. I'm banking on it for the ducks!


Am I incorrect in assuming that planting crops that have high phosphorus requirements should help abate the phosphorus accumulation? Perhaps I will just build a cheap 2x4 & PVC tractor and keep moving it around the yard.

I think you are on the right track with that assumption.
I have one pen that has part of the ground covered with 1X2 welded wire over a rack system that allows greens to grow up through for the chickens to eat but they can't destroy. I have to pull all the soil out once a year and put down fresh so I can replant.

As for weasels in the suburbs. I have a friend with chickens in the heart of our large metropolitan area. She sees a weasel in her yard a few times a week.
As for mink in the suburbs. I'm in the suburbs and have had chickens in this vicinity off and on for over 60 years. Never had mink before. Just recently about 50 acres of woods was cut down near me for a new Walmart store. Within days I lost about $2,000 worth of birds to mink in buildings that were locked up tight. I'm having to completely redesign a couple of the buildings that were previously raccoon proof.

 

[vehve]

I have no experience in what you're attempting to do, and don't really have any information to contribute to the discussion, but I must say it was very refreshing to read through your discussion about the matter. Well formatted questions and replies, with a lot of thought behind them. I hope you get your meaty production going next Spring.