The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Turk Raphael]

Because we're winter preppers

But seriously, since I'm getting ready for the winter I was just scoping out the info before I put time and effort into something that will produce the same problems I'm trying to avoid.

I really don't want to have to knock snow off the top of anything. I don't want to shovel anything. I just want to have a large enough, covered area that the kiddos can be in during the winter that I don't have to constantly maintain and gives them enough space that they aren't squabbling constantly.

The idea of looking for more cheap kennel panels and cleaning out a 10x30 area for them to use in the pole barn is looking better every moment.

Just need to find 3 gate panels and 7 regular panels to accomplish what I want to do. It will be totally movable to a different configuration later if desired and nothing has to be built.

So far I have either been given the kennel panels we have or purchased them used for a great price. I'm keeping my eyes open.

Goat pannels are much cheaper than dog kennels and are much stronger. They are being put to use around here for many jobs. They cost a bit more than $60 bucks and are 5 feet tall and 16 feet wide....much cheaper than dog kennels, even the trashiest ones.

You could enclose the whole front of the pole barn and do all kinds of good things in the interior...

Just a thought!

Turk

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
@armorfirelady
AFL had a case of mites. She mainly dusted them - rubbing down to the skin - with wood ash. Yes, it is just plain wood ash but you must be careful that the ash doesn't have any treated lumber that was burned as it is extremely toxic. Also not from a fire in which you've burned other items.... just plain wood. The ash smothers the mites. She did this for several days over a week or so.

What you described sounds more like lice to me. Wood ash can also be used to help rid those as well.

I would NOT use the vinegar cleaner on the birds as it would likely be a skin irritant.

I would, however, add some eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils into your spray bottle w/the cleaner to use as an insect killer/deterrant for the coop. Get all the nesting materials out of the boxes, wash them down and spray it heavily onto the cracks and seams of the box and also at the seams of the roosts and walls, etc.

If there are mites, you can put some oil (some folks use neam but I don't like using it where the fumes are around the birds). Just plain olive oil can be used in a sprayer. Spray in the crevices/seams of the nest boxes and roost bars. Anywhere that mites would hide during the daytime. The oil is for the purpose of smothering eggs that are laid in these cracks/crevices/seems where they can stay protected. I wouldn't put it right on the roost where they stand...too slippery! Just the areas that mites could go and hide during the day and lay eggs.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
I have thought of the cattle/goat panels. My only objection to them is that I'd like to have at least 6 ft. of headroom.

We shall see.....

What's the best way to make entry gates if I use the panels? I can get a basic cattle panel (4x16 I think) for $19.99.

 

[Turk Raphael]

I have thought of the cattle/goat panels. My only objection to them is that I'd like to have at least 6 ft. of headroom.

We shall see.....

What's the best way to make entry gates if I use the panels? I can get a basic cattle panel (4x16 I think) for $19.99.

It wouldn't be hart to make up that extra foot or so with a cheaper panel but the goat panels have very small holes and only the very small chickies could get through. My birds aren't great fliers and the 5 feet does fine but if there were a problem, there is always a n east solution.

OOps...sorry...the doors/gates are a snap...just cut the panel to size and attach them with cable ties.

 

[Leahs Mom]

It wouldn't be hart to make up that extra foot or so with a cheaper panel but the goat panels have very small holes and only the very small chickies could get through. My birds aren't great fliers and the 5 feet does fine but if there were a problem, there is always a n east solution.

What I'm thinking is this.

I'm not sure how predator proof the barn is. I have never seen a raccoon in there but I've never tested it with a menu of chicken either. So I was thinking that I'd like to use the kennel panels with panels on the top of them as well so that it was completely covered sides, top, and bottom. That's why I wanted it taller...so I could go right in with no problem but still have it covered overhead.

 

[Turk Raphael]

What I'm thinking is this.

I'm not sure how predator proof the barn is. I have never seen a raccoon in there but I've never tested it with a menu of chicken either. So I was thinking that I'd like to use the kennel panels with panels on the top of them as well so that it was completely covered sides, top, and bottom. That's why I wanted it taller...so I could go right in with no problem but still have it covered overhead.

Again...that could be done very easily with the goat panels, especially if you could get by with runs that are 16 feet (or longer). I becomes a bit more tricky but doable if you want the runs to be wider than 5 feet. Heck...you could make them any length you want and they would be very easily covered with the same goat panels. Totally coon and coyote proof and the only things that could get them might be bears but they would have to work a bit for it!! lol

The extra foot could easily be made up with a cinder block base and a little 'mud'.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I will definitely ponder that possibility.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have one bubble buster: weasels. Of course you have to consider cost in relation to risk.

 

[Lacy Blues]

You can also use the cattle/goat panels to make a hoop type structure.



These are 4 foot tall by 16 feet long cattle panels. I used tie wire to tie them together. This structure is 8 feet wide and the top center is just about 7 feet tall. It works great for me, being 5'4".

I've never seen a goat panel with smaller holes but I'll be looking into them you can be sure.

I enclosed the ends with cedar fence planks and some interesting construction.

 

[Turk Raphael]

I have one bubble buster: weasels. Of course you have to consider cost in relation to risk.

Weasels are virtually impossible to protect against...a small terrier type dog is the only practical defense.