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Charlie's chooks
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Author:  Charlie [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Charlie's chooks
Made a start on the chicken enclosure the other day, it was overgrown with weeds and had a tone of sticks and leaves all over the top of the mesh. Other than that its in pretty good condition, Im thinking I might cement the end thats under cover so easier to clean? Not sure as Ive read mixed recommendations for flooring. Ill get started on the roosts and nesting boxes soon and Ive found of a place local that sells chickens so will check that out this week too.

Some pics.. (kookaburra flew in the door at the time so I had to shoo it out afterwards)

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Author:  Charlie [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
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Author:  Bender [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
Pens look great Charlie. Plenty of room in there
Author:  Perpetuitas [ Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
Is it self build? Or did you find it on your property?

I think it does look pretty good! How many chooks are you planning?

IS there the possibility to give them some kind of outside terrain, like a paddock?

You might also be able to raise meaty and eggy chicken in on pen.
Author:  Charlie [ Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
Hi Perpetuitas,

The cage was already made which was good, I believe they had a range of different birds in it at some stage. I think we will just start with 4 chickens and see how we go as this is my first time keeping them. There is plenty of yard for them to wander around in so we can let them out daily. The cage has 2 sections so we can split any chickens up if required too.
Author:  Perpetuitas [ Wed Apr 23, 2014 3:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
Well Charlie, I am looking forward to updates!
Author:  Burnsy [ Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
I have concrete under my roosts and would do it again. Easy to throw some sawdust over and then clean out and replace asrequired.
Author:  Charlie [ Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
Thanks Burnsy
Author:  Peasants [ Fri Apr 25, 2014 7:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
That looks fabulous!! What a great hen house!

We have tried a few floorings- what we have settled on is a dirt floor except under the roost. Where they roost is the risky place for stick fast fleas, plus a great source of chook manure, so we have a piece of tin above the floor but below the roost. It is a bit hard to see in the photo on our website….but you can get the idea...

http://www.mccarthypark.com.au/around-the-farm/handy-hints/

The idea is that it catches their droppings, which are then easy to scrape off into a bucket for the garden, plus the barrier between the sandy floor and roost minimises stick fast fleas!

It works well for us anyway!
Author:  Charlie [ Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
Great blog, Peasants. Many helpful tips.

I had CCbear over recently and he also helped me out around the yard. I have much to learn and will take all information on board.

Currently tracking down some birds via the local poultry club. Ill update soon I hope.
Author:  Peasants [ Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
Great Charlie! What chooks are you planning on getting? Or still in the research phase?

We have Australorps which we really like- good all purpose bird (eggs and meat), though where we live we can have a rooster hence wanting an all purpose breed. They have a nice temperament too!

Have fun!!
Deb and Mack
Author:  Charlie [ Sun Apr 27, 2014 1:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
Hoping to get some Australorps and maybe Isa browns.

On another note, would it pay to close off the sheltered end so they have an enclosure out of the elements? I don't think it would get too windy in that spot but maybe get cold during the winter.
Author:  Peasants [ Sun Apr 27, 2014 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
It looks like there is plenty of shelter for chooks in there, without needing to do anything (depending on the prevailing winds). So long as you provide plenty of perches they will find the most sheltered place for themselves anyway.

Will you have them free range in the day, or keep them in the pen? That pen is so big, if you plan on keeping them in you could keep them in one half and grow 'clucker tucker' in the other half…..when it is grown you put the chooks in there and seed clucker tucker in the original half……..good source of greens for them!
Author:  Charlie [ Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charlie's chooks
Yea I thought I could rotate them from side to side maybe, just not sure how well things will grow down there yet as it does get shade most of the day.

I would like them to be free range the best I can and there is plenty of yard to wander around so shouldn't be a problem.
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