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Post by Wendy on Apr 27, 2015 1:30:52 GMT
Well, we have 2 almost done & 2 more to go! They should hold around 35-40 birds each. Hopefully it will warm up enough in the next week or so that I can move the broilers outside in them. I'll post some pictures when I get them done. I need to finish the roof on these 2 & then get some more 2"x4"'s to make the others. Hopefully later this week.
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Post by bergere on Apr 27, 2015 13:11:58 GMT
Can't wait to see the photos!
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Apr 27, 2015 19:38:59 GMT
Can't wait to see the photos! Ditto!
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Post by Wendy on Apr 27, 2015 20:47:09 GMT
Here is a picture of one. I need to get a sheet of treated plywood to finish the top. That side will open so I can put in the feed & water. I'll add another when it is totally finished.
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Post by bearcreekfarm on Apr 27, 2015 21:46:25 GMT
I suppose you built this yourself, too?
What does your husband do around the place, lol?
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Post by Wendy on Apr 27, 2015 22:37:34 GMT
I did! Well, my oldest son helped me. Hubby doesn't do a lot because he is usually driving 10-12 hours per day. By the time he gets home he eats & then it's about time to go to bed to start another day. Besides, he is sooooo picky, he drives me crazy, so I try to get things done when he is not around. My son works good with me. We do a lot together.
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Post by eggshere on Apr 29, 2015 23:18:26 GMT
Thanks for the picture of the tractor . . . I make mine a bit smaller and without wheels--drag them about. Wonder if those are lawn mower wheels and if you simply attach to frame or do you have an axle or shaft all the way through to the other side? As one gets the stiff shoulders with age those wheels look great!
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Apr 29, 2015 23:58:34 GMT
Wendy, I do not have any experience with chicken tractors... QUESTIONS-Once the broilers are able to live outside-do they live in the tractors until they are butchered? Are the tractors in a "protected area"? I ask that due to the fact coons are prevalent in my area and they would dig underneath and into it... I anxiously await your reply... Mari
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2015 0:13:01 GMT
Wendy, I do not have any experience with chicken tractors... QUESTIONS-Once the broilers are able to live outside-do they live in the tractors until they are butchered? Are the tractors in a "protected area"? I ask that due to the fact coons are prevalent in my area and they would dig underneath and into it... I anxiously await your reply... Mari
Mari, I have been using chicken tractors for many years and have never had a problem with anything digging under it(hope that does not change). I do have the tractors that have wheels where the wheels raise and lower so the pen sits on the dirt after moved, some are on skids-----My 2 biggest tractors are built on trailers. My Biggest tractor is 21ftx10ft, 6 feet tall chainlink sides. as Long as the dirt under the wheels are packed I can move it by hand in about 1 minute---soft dirt--I use the farm tractor. If I see a track from a racoon or what ever---I set a trap close to my Chicken pens and catch the "Problem" before it becomes a problem.
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Post by eggshere on Apr 30, 2015 0:18:08 GMT
Mari; I noticed your question about the tractor . . . . I've learned the hard way about those big raccoons so I've used tent stakes or bent re-bar to hold the tractors down and started using welded wire or hardware cloth on the sides as either raccoon or neighborhood dogs able to tear a hole in it. I am also wondering how quickly Wendy takes the little ones outside to the tractors. I usually smell up the garage for about 2-3 weeks before I put them outside.
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Post by Wendy on Apr 30, 2015 0:32:07 GMT
Mine are around 2 weeks old & I will hopefully move them out this weekend or early next week. They will go in the tractors & stay in them until they are butchered. I usually move them every day or every other day. Depends on how ate down the grass is. I have never had anything get them. I put the tractors in the pasture with the goats. My pasture fence is cattle panels. We have never had any problems with coons coming this close because of the dogs. Have a coon hound right behind the garage. The wheels are just small lawn mower type wheels. I have 2 tractors that are 6'x6'. We just pick them up & move them. I made these 8'x8' & a little taller, so they are a little heavier. The wheels should make it easier to move them. Hopefully I will be able to move them on my own if needed. I plan on using the old tractors for the ducks. I just used a large bolt & drilled a hole in the frame & then put some washers to hold it out away from the frame a little. It seems like it will work good enough. I will post more pictures when I get the chickens in them. I put 2 screw eyes to hold a feeder & a waterer. The old ones I had a creep feeder hanging on the side where I could fill it up from the outside. This worked ok, but if it rained the feed gets wet. So, I changed the way I will feed them. I will have the half that is open covered with a sheet of plywood with tin on it. Then I can open the whole thing & put their feed & water & it will be protected from the rain. I hope to finish these 2 this weekend. I need to pick up the remaining supplies & get some more 2"x4"'s to make another one or two.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2015 0:36:46 GMT
I am Sure Wendy has to let them get a few weeks old before she can put them in this tractor because of it being clear the dirt/grass. She has not asked for any help, but I will suggest something to the ones that are interested in this type tractor---you can use the stiffer plastic type netting and attach it towards the bottom but let it hang down at least as for as the bottom of the wheels all the way around----then when you move the tractor it will flex enough to go over ony little rises in the ground but is stiff enough to keep the gap below the boards closed so smaller chicks can not get under the gap.
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Post by eggshere on Apr 30, 2015 0:41:24 GMT
Thanks for all that info . . . I've been making chicken tractors for a long time--since finding Andy Lee's book a long time ago, but fun to learn from others. I'm adding wheels this summer! One of my biggest challenges now is that I live on the very edge of a little town that believes it should 'crack down' on people with chickens and dogs. So, once I think I've outsmarted the raccoons and such, here comes the council! Heh!
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Post by Wendy on Apr 30, 2015 0:41:54 GMT
My wire actually hangs down lower than the board frame. By the time they go out they will be plenty big enough not to fit under the wire. Where they go is flat, so I usually don't have a problem with any low spots.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2015 0:56:08 GMT
Mine are around 2 weeks old & I will hopefully move them out this weekend or early next week. Wendy, I have never tried to move 2 to 3 week old chicks away from the heat that early-----will they have a heat lamp in the tractors? If not teach me how to take/wean them off the heat that fast. Thanks
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Post by Wendy on Apr 30, 2015 1:16:26 GMT
Well, cornish cross are ready to butcher at 6 weeks. I never worry too much about the heat. I do not have a thermometer on them. I put up the lamps & just make sure they are running around & not huddled like they are cold. If I kept them at 95 degrees & then decreased 5 degrees each week as suggested, they would still be under a heat lamp when I was ready to butcher them! I am holding off until the temps are a little warmer at night. I only have 1 lamp going in the brooder room right now over the chicks & another over the ducks. The larger ducks are 3 weeks old & I haven't had a heat lamp on them for at least a week. It is plenty warm in my room & draft free. Once they start feathering out they really don't need the heat lamp. Think about it, if they were hatched by a hen they would not be under a heat lamp at all. The hen will sit with them to keep them warm at night, but during the day they are running after her with no heat on them.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2015 1:35:02 GMT
Well, cornish cross are ready to butcher at 6 weeks. I never worry too much about the heat. I do not have a thermometer on them. I put up the lamps & just make sure they are running around & not huddled like they are cold. If I kept them at 95 degrees & then decreased 5 degrees each week as suggested, they would still be under a heat lamp when I was ready to butcher them! I am holding off until the temps are a little warmer at night. I only have 1 lamp going in the brooder room right now over the chicks & another over the ducks. The larger ducks are 3 weeks old & I haven't had a heat lamp on them for at least a week. It is plenty warm in my room & draft free. Once they start feathering out they really don't need the heat lamp. Think about it, if they were hatched by a hen they would not be under a heat lamp at all. The hen will sit with them to keep them warm at night, but during the day they are running after her with no heat on them. OOOOPs I missed the Cornish Cross some where----I been On the "wrong" page or wrong Book----LOL.
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Post by Wendy on Apr 30, 2015 1:52:59 GMT
That's ok. Half of what I have are cornish cross & half are layer breeds.
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