Wheaten and Blue wheaten Marans Discussion Thread

[luvinrunnin]

Quote:
These barrel row setups are used by the gamefowl people all over the USA. It is a hinged wire door with feed and water hole in wire. I have a woodworking Vacuum and generator that I use to clean the shavings with and I blow the shaving back into the barrel with the vacuum. It takes 4 hours to clean and replace the shavings.

If I were to build this Barrel row over would go with two barrels high and raise the bottom off the ground three foot, that way less bending down catching the chickens.

Thanks for the info. I will have to start collecting barrels LOL. Used to be able to get lots of the free, but now I have to get them from my stepdad, and he can only get a few at a time I think. I have plenty to make a short "row" of these.

 

[geebs]

coop envy..... You must have a very understanding wife....

My husband would draw the line at 100 total every... (not that I haven't exceeded that counting babies)..... but I didn't tell him. NNNNNNnnnnice setup.. "I guess no need to ask whats for dinner honey"?

 

[Ivywoods]

Hi Don,

Nice set up. I'm trying to imagine how I could do a smaller version of something like this, but I don't think it would work for me. I had some turkeys once that went broody in a barrel. They wouldn't come out, and they "cooked" themselves one hot summer day. The temp was over 100 F and it was humid. We don't have much shade on this hill. Also, on the plastic covering the side of the building... we get rain from all 4 directions, depending on which way the storm is coming from, so I'm afraid I would have wet birds.

However, since I am planning to build a barn for all the birds, after looking at this, I think I am planning on allowing way more space per bird than what I really need. Maybe I can divide my pens a little smaller and have more birds!

 

[Wynette]

Don, VERY VERY impressive, indeed! I am GREEN!

I would love to see more pics of your barrels, too. If you have 150 (I think that's what you said) - how on earth do you collect eggs from all those barrells? Or are these for the cocks only? Or growing out a few at a time? I think they are 55 gallon barrels, yes? Are they attached to each other for stability? They must be...with what, metal strapping? Sorry to ask so many questions, I've never seen these before, and am super curious! Gosh, being plastic, you could also just hose them right out for disinfection at the end of the season - handy!

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Wynette, I will use these mostly to sort at culling time. After that before fall will put the Marans females I plan on showing One in each Barrel. I use pine shavings in them and use a wood workers Vacuum to clean them. These have two 3/8" holes in bottom side to drain any water that might get in them. They have a rope over the top to keep them together. these are 55 gallon and I bought them from a man that got them from one of the pop companys.

OH, I almost forgot about the eggs, I use a large spoon with a attached handle so I do not have to open the door.

 

[berkeleysprings]

don , how do you keep the racoons and varments away ,,,,, shot gun ? dogs ? dogs with shotguns? i have to pad lock and dbl gate everything here

 

[flgardengirl]

Are the upright barrels in the coop runs for food or water?

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
These hens lay so good I need a barrel for them to lay their eggs .

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
I use live traps and a few things I can not post on here,

 

[knjinnm]

Quote:
These hens lay so good I need a barrel for them to lay their eggs .

Hi Don,
Obviously you are on a mission when you breed chickens ... your not a collector.
So while you work to meet the SOP are you also selecting for the darkest egg color.
Thanks,
Joe