Hi BabyGirls and Hubby,
Wow, I am inspired! I am just now designing my, um
chicken arrangements. Im a super newbie to chickens, but I do have access to a lot of metal fabrication equipment, and am trying to make my version of your design.
To the hubby; I feel blessed that your wifes post was so timely for me to take advantage of your collective experience. But, I do have some questions, going in order of the pics:
1: The sign - you must have access to a CNC plasma or laser? That doesnt look like it was done on a CNC punch press. Or, either you are a plasma torch MASTER!?!
2: Isnt that hardi-plank for sheathing? I think Ill use that, too. If so, what was your overlap?
3: The slide out nest boxes
I happen to have some 24 ball bearing drawer slides - and some 16 and 12 slides (samples from potential vendors), but how is that technique better that just a lift up panel? Im thinking of a more linear pull out nest that is for 8 girls. No stacking of nest, I mean. Why stack, I ask
space savings?
4: The drip pan poop collectors
what if I made some custom trays and angled them back through a slot in the back wall that ran into a gutter
that then ran into a tub outside? I could just wash them out with the water hose and let the proceeds drain the into the tub where I would dump the chicken tea (as my Grandpa used to call it) into my compost bin or in the garden? Is this naive?
5: Walking the plank? What is the most practical spacing for the little risers on the board?
6: Roosting dowels
what diameter and spacing did you choose?
Anyhow, awesome job. Awesome.
Dave