well how much land do you have? What would best suit your yard? I'd do a tractor full of meat chickens if I had customers waiting and spurring me on, but I have a large yard and access to much more.FarmerJamie said:I need to figure out how I'm going to get that new chicken coop built in March. I've looked at a number of plans, but can't find anything I like. In addtion to the eggs, I have people asking me if I would sell them meat chickens, too.
We have three acres, I've raised up to 50 in one shot. We have no restrictions on number of chickens or coops, but we're not quite out in the boonies, either, so I want to prevent "coop sprawl". Up until the coyote massacre, I had some simple fencing and simple cover for them.Wannabefree said:well how much land do you have? What would best suit your yard? I'd do a tractor full of meat chickens if I had customers waiting and spurring me on, but I have a large yard and access to much more.FarmerJamie said:I need to figure out how I'm going to get that new chicken coop built in March. I've looked at a number of plans, but can't find anything I like. In addtion to the eggs, I have people asking me if I would sell them meat chickens, too.
Well if you just get new layers, I'd simply extend the existing coop on one side, no sense having two really if you just have one purpose for the birds and then you won't have to build a seperate run either, just extend that as well to accomodate more birds.FarmerJamie said:We have three acres, I've raised up to 50 in one shot. We have no restrictions on number of chickens or coops, but we're not quite out in the boonies, either, so I want to prevent "coop sprawl". Up until the coyote massacre, I had some simple fencing and simple cover for them.Wannabefree said:well how much land do you have? What would best suit your yard? I'd do a tractor full of meat chickens if I had customers waiting and spurring me on, but I have a large yard and access to much more.FarmerJamie said:I need to figure out how I'm going to get that new chicken coop built in March. I've looked at a number of plans, but can't find anything I like. In addtion to the eggs, I have people asking me if I would sell them meat chickens, too.
I like the idea of a tractor, for the meaties, that might be a good option. I could turn the existing coop into a "brooder coop" of sorts, and then move part into the tractor.
Even if I get just new egg layers, I need something bigger (they're a little crowded right now)..
If you plan on meaties, you could build a secure enough tractor and they could really stay in it from a few weeks old till slaughter age. I'd design it to break down easily for storage when not in use though. Just sitting around empty could be an eyesore.
I'm hoping for a shed-type coop that I can create a storage area up above for my chicken "stuff" - crates, lamps, and stuff to get them out of the garage. If I did the collapsable tractors, I would probably store them in there, too.Wannabefree said:Well if you just get new layers, I'd simply extend the existing coop on one side, no sense having two really if you just have one purpose for the birds and then you won't have to build a seperate run either, just extend that as well to accomodate more birds.FarmerJamie said:We have three acres, I've raised up to 50 in one shot. We have no restrictions on number of chickens or coops, but we're not quite out in the boonies, either, so I want to prevent "coop sprawl". Up until the coyote massacre, I had some simple fencing and simple cover for them.Wannabefree said:
I like the idea of a tractor, for the meaties, that might be a good option. I could turn the existing coop into a "brooder coop" of sorts, and then move part into the tractor.
Even if I get just new egg layers, I need something bigger (they're a little crowded right now)..
I actually am using a small coop I built to hold three hens right now, so I really need something bigger and better built.
Scan Craigslist for used sheds. They are pretty cheap right now considering the cost of new. This economy is prime for finding things like that. People are selling a lot of "stuff" and no longer have use of such large outdoor storage spaces, so you could likely snatch one of those up for less than it would cost to build a coop. If I had the cash, that is what I'd do in a heartbeat!FarmerJamie said:I'm hoping for a shed-type coop that I can create a storage area up above for my chicken "stuff" - crates, lamps, and stuff to get them out of the garage. If I did the collapsable tractors, I would probably store them in there, too.Wannabefree said:Well if you just get new layers, I'd simply extend the existing coop on one side, no sense having two really if you just have one purpose for the birds and then you won't have to build a seperate run either, just extend that as well to accomodate more birds.FarmerJamie said:We have three acres, I've raised up to 50 in one shot. We have no restrictions on number of chickens or coops, but we're not quite out in the boonies, either, so I want to prevent "coop sprawl". Up until the coyote massacre, I had some simple fencing and simple cover for them.
I like the idea of a tractor, for the meaties, that might be a good option. I could turn the existing coop into a "brooder coop" of sorts, and then move part into the tractor.
Even if I get just new egg layers, I need something bigger (they're a little crowded right now)..
My existing coop is not, um, one of my better moments. It works, but it's too small and very drafty, but I can move it around the yard with my lawn tractor. I am not a carpenter and I was nursing a triple hernia at the time...
Night JamieFarmerJamie said:thanks, I'll do that. I'm a talk-out-loud thinker. This helps, but I have some more thought trails to run down.
Thanks, too, for the back-forth-tonight. Gonna make the rounds to check on critters and the kids.
Until next time....
Aww.....BarredBuff said:
We'll miss you Jamester!! 
Have fun, bring me back one of those grinders 
