Washingtonians

[hallerlake]

Quote: Agree on both counts.

 

[Greg Richardson]

What to put down in runs?

I think the answer has to do if you have a garden or not?

If no garden I'd use gravel.
I wish I knew the proper term but it is I believe 1.5" drainage gravel.

Reason is it is round rocks that don't form into a mud plain like was said on here. Regular gravel settles then you add in dust etc and it compacts to easy.
Also this type allows the poop as the rain hits it to go below. Realize you must not go cheap on the amount of gravel to have this happen.

Now if you have a garden I prefer sand then straw on top and scoop off the straw and part of the sand to the compost pile or garden depending on the time of the year.

I have got my sand off Craigs for free for years as well as straw some times.

 

[KMoran]

First off, from the sounds of your build, that's not going to work. 75 (update edit below) in 1 pen isn't going to be enough room unless you are building massive pens - also, where are you going to put those 3 or 4 roosters when they aren't with the hens? And yes, re-introduction to a rooster can be an issue, depends quite a bit on the breed and the personality of the individuals. Its also incredibly depressing for the poor roosters who aren't really meant to live solitary lives.

Pardon: I misunderstood you - okay, 25 in one pen is still a hell of a lot unless you're building a huge pen. What's the dimensions you're talking about?

Secondly, why don't you want the roosters in with their ladies except when you want fertile eggs? I'm trying to figure out what's behind the mindset there. Roosters are a marvelous addition to the flock and are generally a bonus, not a detriment unless you have an insanely aggressive roo, in which case you wouldn't want him anyway for your breeding program as that behavior is genetic.

This is kinda where I started. I am do a 40x 30 and the pens are gonna be 10x10 instead of 12x12 there will also be outdoor runs to each pen. Also the back pen I am thinking of doing a full length run of 30 x 10.... Again I am still trying to figure it all out. The only reason behind not having the Roo's with the ladies all the time is I want 3 + different breeds so that would mean at least 3 Roo's. I wanna be able to let the flock out and free range together but I have heard that if you have more then one Roo they will fight? I have never had roos before so I have no idea.

 

[KMHunter]

This is kinda where I started. I am do a 40x 30 and the pens are gonna be 10x10 instead of 12x12 there will also be outdoor runs to each pen. Also the back pen I am thinking of doing a full length run of 30 x 10.... Again I am still trying to figure it all out. The only reason behind not having the Roo's with the ladies all the time is I want 3 + different breeds so that would mean at least 3 Roo's. I wanna be able to let the flock out and free range together but I have heard that if you have more then one Roo they will fight? I have never had roos before so I have no idea.

You know WA4Hpoultrymom has different small flocks for breeding with different roosters. It would be interesting to know if she lets them out one flock at a time or all out at the same time.

 

[LovemyBabies]

This is kinda where I started. I am do a 40x 30 and the pens are gonna be 10x10 instead of 12x12 there will also be outdoor runs to each pen. Also the back pen I am thinking of doing a full length run of 30 x 10.... Again I am still trying to figure it all out. The only reason behind not having the Roo's with the ladies all the time is I want 3 + different breeds so that would mean at least 3 Roo's. I wanna be able to let the flock out and free range together but I have heard that if you have more then one Roo they will fight? I have never had roos before so I have no idea.

I would so go for that set up - just smaller size... have a brooding room, store room.. room for sick birds if happens... Bad birds who end up dinner.... endless possibilities with that layout.. I like to think BIG =) -- course it's sooo dreaming in our case..hahaha

 

[KMoran]

You know WA4Hpoultrymom has different small flocks for breeding with different roosters. It would be interesting to know if she lets them out one flock at a time or all out at the same time.

Yeah thats what I am wondering....

 

[LovemyBabies]

For chickens can they breed year round or just seasonal (Springish)....... just wondering, never thought about that part in the breeding process for them yet til now...

 

[KMoran]

I would so go for that set up - just smaller size... have a brooding room, store room.. room for sick birds if happens... Bad birds who end up dinner.... endless possibilities with that layout.. I like to think BIG =) -- course it's sooo dreaming in our case..hahaha

Yeah to me this is a LONG term coop. I wanna do it right the first time, I dont wanna have to keep building small coops when I want more chickens. I am gonna have one run for Turkeys, meat birds, and then one for a few different breeds Also a pen brooding hens.

 

[Chickielady]

I never have either.... I just put I never had candled...

candling is so easy !
All ya need is 2 egg cartons, one for the eggs, one to put the eggs into, a pencil & a small led flash light, and a dark room.
It is fascinating !
And any ? eggs you mark an X on, good ones you can mark or not.


GO HERE::: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pictures-and-videos-of-candling-chicken-eggs

Make sure ya watch the video, and always huff the eggs you candle, so if you have a "stinker" you can dispose of it before it blows up in your bator .

 

[LovemyBabies]

Yeah to me this is a LONG term coop. I wanna do it right the first time, I dont wanna have to keep building small coops when I want more chickens. I am gonna have one run for Turkeys, meat birds, and then one for a few different breeds Also a pen brooding hens.

Dont blame ya there one bit... mays well do it "big" first shot...hahaha -- I'm almost wondering if I should pass that Stall idea to my mother, since she's been designing the Mansion Coop... since we have our lil Bantams & some will be possible show.... we were just going to have it in 2 sections... Suite 1 & Suite 2... Layers in one & the Bantams in the other... then the one she's going to order as a temp coop, use later as the Brooding House.. But i'm almost thinking that set up would be better.... but then again.. that would be bigger than the one she's planning I think... so may not work with all the trees still left on the main part of the property --


The Big building previously was used as a Coop - but is being used as a Tool Shed, the other is a Duck House... The Duck house will be tore down & replaced with the newly built Coop..