Chicken Coops for Sale in Millhousen, Indiana
Chicken Coops for Sale in Millhousen, Indiana
Adventures in Country Living at Shalom Engedi Farm
We've been raising meat chickens for a few years now and each year we've learned a few things to add to our list of disasters and a few to add to our triumphs.
Let me explain how we started. A few years ago when we lived in the city we built the worlds most expensive chicken coop. You can read about it . In many ways it was fabulous - for 6 chickens. When you get a few more - like 50 meat birds - it won't do at all.
Every summer that we've had chickens at the farm they've been in different pens. We would solve one problem by making a change the next year only to create more problems we didn't anticipate. The first year we used the only pen we had available in the barn but it was a little small for the 60 chickens that lived in it. We figured they would be outside most of the time anyway and it WOULD BE FINE. Leaving the feed in their pen at all times was also a mistake as it caused them to grow too fast. We didn't get the chicks until September which meant they needed 8 weeks to grow to full size which also meant we were getting into wintery weather by the time they left. Oh dear - can you say chicken poop? They were the laziest chickens you ever saw. They hated going outside even though we chased them outside every day. They just sat and got fat and pooped. End of story. By the time they were ready for the butcher we were REALLY happy to get rid of them because the coop was impossible to keep clean. Without enough exercise and with too much food they got so big they had leg problems too so we lost a few birds in the process.
Fast forward to the next spring when we had the great idea to build them a huge pen. You can read about that . It was such a good idea except now we couldn't get them to gain weight because they got TOO MUCH exercise. They didn't have any leg problems though!. After a few extra weeks of feed before we brought them to the butcher we ended up with really yummy but rather scrawny birds. Sigh* I don't think we got close to breaking even when we sold them that year.
So - lets try that again!!! We recently purchased an old dog kennel through Kijiji - it's 5x15 feet and made of chain link with a good sturdy door. We know from our past coops that Overkilled Fort Knox is the way to go. There can be NO WAY for animals to get in or reach in.
We started by wiring the chain link fencing on far more securely than it was originally - we wanted to keep a dog (and others) OUT! We used two 4 foot pieces of hardware cloth on the ground and zip ties to connect them together - slightly overlapping the pieces. This provides a strong bottom so predator animals can't dig under the coop.
Then we wrapped the top edge of the kennel with 3 foot wide hardware cloth - attaching it with zip ties as well. The bottom section is a full sheet of lattice. It covers the hardware cloth on the top and is connected with zip ties again to the frame and the hardware cloth that makes up the floor. The roof is plywood sheets cut to fit so there is a 6 inch overhang ( 4 sheets cut to 6 feet each - the roof is 6 feet wide and 16 feet long) We cut an old tarp to size and stapled it on top. We were going to have the tarp overhang and peg it to the ground but it made the interior too dark. It took some creative cutting to fill in all the little spaces around the door to create a tight fit but with enough space that we could still open the door.
After adding shavings and a waterer we had to solve the problem of feeding 50 starving chickens at once without them killing each other in the process. They get pretty excited when they're hungry. We have multiple feeders but they never seemed enough. I solved the problem by purchasing a new 10 foot eaves trough with ends and screwed some 1 foot pieces of an old 2x4 across the bottom to act as feet - I used four pieces. When it's situated in the middle of the coop the chickens can access it from both sides and finally there is room for everyone to eat. The coop is bright and airy and doesn't smell bad at all...of course I am not really an expert on that subject! There is great air flow, plenty of space but not too much space and it's a safe place for them to spend the night. We also built the coop within sight of the kitchen window so I can keep an eye on them. In past years we let them free range as far as they wanted to - but sometimes they didn't come back. Our losses were just too great so this year they are kept in a large fenced area. They still have access to plants and bugs and sunshine but they don't disappear as someones lunch! So far this year we haven't lost any birds to predators. We also situated the coop in the shade of several large trees. Meatie birds are not that smart and sometimes when it's really hot they will lay in the sun and die of dehydration before they get up and get a drink. | The rake in the picture is my Chicken Encourager - I use it to gently encourage the chickens to leave the coop! |
The fencing we used is something we've also used to fence our vegetable garden. The material is a plastic mesh that comes in 50 foot rolls for less than $15.00. The posts are a little pricey but since they can be easily moved and re-used we thought it was worth it. You may be wondering why the fence is so short - it's only two feet tall. The fencing comes in three foot height as well but the due to a problem in the pricing for the fence posts it was more economical to buy the two foot fencing instead. We've found that our meat birds grow so fast that they don't fly very well. Occasionally one gets out but they never go far and the fence is more to contain them than to keep them safe from predators.
This coop is not going to be used in the winter - it's a little too airy for subzero temperatures but it could be modified in a pinch. Necessity is the Mother of Invention they say! If you can get a good deal on a kennel and shop around or use what you have already have you can make a similar coop and have the fencing like this for under $450.00. If all goes well it should pay for itself this summer and last for many years. The chickens seem to like their new digs and are growing well! Three tries and I think we got it right!! 
Chicken Coop Cheap in Millhousen, Indiana
A good place to start any search is the internet. Simply plugging in the phrase "chicken coops for sale in Millhousen Indiana" into any one of the numerous search engines and a wealth of information will pop up. This information will provide links to other websites that will be informative and will provide the right direction for finding Millhousen Indiana chicken coops. What to look for when buying a chicken coop in Millhousen, Indiana With the massive boost in poultry keeping there has actually been a similarly huge increase in the variety of chicken paraphernalia on sale. Poultry housing is an instance in point. It's also a classic example of the good old bandwagon being got on as numerous prospective chicken real estate professionals market a range of cottage claiming to be the optimal option to your chicken real estate requirements. Frequently the cost looks appealing, your house looks desirable, heck even the clean-cut household standing there feeding the chickens look attractive. Surely they understand a quality chicken house when they see one? There are many economical as well as unpleasant cages swamping the market. I understand this as I've tested a number of them in the area, and also seen a ewe run directly with one when the feed bucket showed up. The result was only a costly heap of firewood as well as a little flock of bemused as well as currently homeless bantams.
Chicken Coop You Can Walk In in Millhousen, Indiana
More often than not these standardized versions are constructed of rapid grown up hardwood - come the initial drop of rainfall they swell, leaving you either defending a doorway that will not close, or tearing the door furnishings off in a vain attempt to release the squawking inhabitants. The initial cozy day indicates the timber dries out and also splits, the felt roofing system bubbles as well as boils, as well as come nightfall the chickens choose not to go in. This is not as a result of their dissatisfaction at the decrease of their once desirable commercial property however since the hovel is currently a haven for, as well as most likely abounding, the chicken caretaker's bane, red mite. Add that it stated on the blurb that it would suit four big chickens when that stocking density was based on the Circle Line at 5pm on a Friday, as well as just what are you entrusted? A few joints and some kindling. A decent coop for thee to 4 birds must cost you approximately ₤ 300 though this can depend upon whether you choose for a free standing house or one with a run affixed. Presuming you are ranging your birds in a huge space and also the pop opening doorway is big enough for the breed you keep, after that the major requirements of real estate boil down to three factors which will specify the variety of birds your house will hold; perches, nest boxes and air flow. Most breeds of chicken will certainly perch when they go to roost in the evening, this perch ought to preferably be 5-8cm large with smoothed off edges so the foot sits conveniently on it. The perch ought to be higher than the nest box entrance as chickens will additionally normally look for the highest point to perch. A perch less than that will have the birds roosting in the nest box overnight (which is by the way when they generate one of the most poo) bring about soiled eggs the list below day. They should not nevertheless be so high off the flooring of your home that leg injuries could take place when the bird gets down in the morning. Chickens require concerning 20cm of perch each (in tiny breeds this is certainly much less), plus if more than one perch is set up in your home they ought to be greater than 30cm apart. They will certainly hunker up with their neighbors yet are not that keen on roosting with a beak in the bloomers of the bird in front. Preferably the house must have a the very least one nest box for every single three birds and also these ought to be off the ground and in the darkest location of the house. The house needs to have sufficient ventilation: without it after that condensation will develop every night, also in the chilliest of weather. Be aware, ventilation works with the concept of cozy air leaving through a high void attracting cooler air in from a lower space - it's not a collection of holes on contrary wall surfaces of your home and also at the same degree, this is what's referred to as a draft. If you have a house with a run attached after that the points above are still real, but you should also consider the run size. The EU maximum legal equipping density for a cost-free array bird is (and also allow's encounter it, one of the motivations for maintaining some chickens in the house is perhaps boosted or far better welfare) 2,500 birds each hectare, that's optimal one bird each 4m squared. Take a close look at some of the deal residences - it could well be the house has the best perches, correct ventilation and also ample nest boxes for a sensible variety of birds, yet will each of the chickens have anything more than an A4 sized item of ground to spend the day on? Therefore as the claiming goes, "you get exactly what you pay for". You might assume you've grabbed a bargain, but you as well as your group might rue the day you did. Purchase the best house and it will certainly last for a few decades, otherwise longer offered the right treatment. Ultimately your fowl as well as your fowl keeping experience will certainly be much the better for it.chicken plans
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