What's your breeding set up?

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I have a few roos coming this spring. I don't just want to let them out with the flock because I want to be systematic and know which roo mated with which hen to form which offspring. Hopefully I will then be able to improve the flock.

What I can't wrap my brain around is exactly how to do it. I have some 50 gallon barrels that will make good rooster houses with a little fencing around them. I can put the hen in with the roo. I also have a chicken tractor (and can make another one) for broody hens. But then what? Is there any way to do this systematically with a free-range flock?

Any advice or descriptions of your breeding facilities would be most appreciated.

Erika

 

[DawnSuiter]

I can only help in thought since this is my first year with breeding... I'm seperating the hen house from the attached covered run to create 2 pens and using my "roosters coop" which is where I would normally grow out extra roosters for a 3rd pen... extra roosters will get a small yard until their sold.

But for you.. I think moving a hen or two all the time all over would be a pain... they couldn't stay long if there were only one or two he would ride them bareback in no time pulling out their feathers... plus nest boxes and comfort for her is I think important to her good production...

all you can do is try it and see how it works out...
hopefully someone else will have more input for ya