Off grid cabin with chickens and limited access - possible?

[cabintehwoods]

Hey,

I have 20 acres in upstate NY. Off grid cabin without power or water. Very wooded with state land butting up against me.. Wooded as well.

We visit the cabin 3 weekends a month. Friday to Sunday. I was wondering if I get a nice size coop with run, and assuming I can figure out auto feed, auto water, and predator protection - can I start with a little older chicks ( maybe 12 weeks? or 16?) then keep then in there for 4-6 weeks. I will check on them when I come up and make sure all is well. Then once they are used to their house. Make them an auto door so they can free range - it'll open in the am and close at dusk.

Will this work? and by work I mean... will they stay there and live or will they just wonder off and be gone?

If yes then I am assuming the Rhode Island red is the one to get? Any other tips?

I care less about the eggs (will be happy to get them of course) but I am hoping they can do some tick control. Maybe 6 chickens?

Lastly.. I rather just buy a prebuilt coop and run and haul it to my land then to build one. (extremely handy and can build it is just time wise I don't have). And rec on where to buy a good one near Sullivan county or between nyc and Sullivan county?

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! Unless you have bears, something like this could work if you could make it hard for predators to go under.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...7jHPCw31bZOw1Wfqrn381KeuevINZMhxoCxVcQAvD_BwE

 

[Ecarroll]

Hey,

I have 20 acres in upstate NY. Off grid cabin without power or water. Very wooded with state land butting up against me.. Wooded as well.

We visit the cabin 3 weekends a month. Friday to Sunday. I was wondering if I get a nice size coop with run, and assuming I can figure out auto feed, auto water, and predator protection - can I start with a little older chicks ( maybe 12 weeks? or 16?) then keep then in there for 4-6 weeks. I will check on them when I come up and make sure all is well. Then once they are used to their house. Make them an auto door so they can free range - it'll open in the am and close at dusk.

Will this work? and by work I mean... will they stay there and live or will they just wonder off and be gone?

If yes then I am assuming the Rhode Island red is the one to get? Any other tips?

I care less about the eggs (will be happy to get them of course) but I am hoping they can do some tick control. Maybe 6 chickens?

Lastly.. I rather just buy a prebuilt coop and run and haul it to my land then to build one. (extremely handy and can build it is just time wise I don't have). And rec on where to buy a good one near Sullivan county or between nyc and Sullivan county?

It might be possible, with auto door, auto food, large waterer (like one for a bunch of chickens, or diy one with a barrel), but I wouldn’t free range if you won’t be there often to check in. I would build a large, secure and extremely predator secure run (in case one gets locked out by the auto door at night). DO NOT buy a prefab coop/ run, they are 1 not predator safe at all, 2 far to small for what they say they can hold, 3 have not ventilation, and 4 the “okay” ones are super expensive. Starting with started pullets sojnds like a good idea as well, if you don’t want to take care of chicks at your house then move them there. Most hatcheries sell birds like that. Breed wouldn’t be a huge problem, just something cold hardy enough for the winter in ny, and a good layer/good meat bird/freindly depending on if that matters to you. Welcome to byc!!!

 

[cabintehwoods]

Thank you. I can build a very rugged one myself. I will explore getting one made as well just to save on time

Also, is the Rhode Island Red the one to get? What age?

I don't have to free range them with auto door and can instead let them roam when I am there.

 

[WingItRanch]

I agree that free ranging without you there is asking for losses.

What are your plans for water if the property doesn't have it? Maybe a rainwater collection?

As for breed, what are you looking for other than tick control? High predator evasion or friendly or winter hardy? A list of wants might help narrow down breed.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I would get older hens if you’re not worried about eggs cause eggs sitting out in the sun for days…yuck.

 

[cabintehwoods]

yeah we have a ton of water via rain and will set up a system for them. My 12x12 roof caught 300 gallon in the last 30 days. so no problem.

I think winter hardy is the 2nd most important. since I have no power there I cannot give them heat. I will set up a super insulated water cooler with nipples and solar heating element so it won't freeze.. I will put inside the coop so maybe it'll produce some heat and they can warm it with their bodies at night. maybe even do the auto door on coop so it keeps them warmer at night but it will get very cold up there

But winter is my greatest concern. My worst case will be to sell or give farm back - before winter but I would love to keep them in winter.

Then friendly will be nice. My boys (6 & 9) love animals.

So order of importance is 1.tick 2. winter. 3. friendly.

I was thinking guinea fowl but I am concerned they will go to my neighbor and bother him and also winter is rough for them so I think chickens might be the way to go

 

[cabintehwoods]

I would get older hens if you’re not worried about eggs cause eggs sitting out in the sun for days…yuck.

Yeah I don't care that much. It is not sunny there at all. Extremely wooded. You think I shouldn't touch the eggs then? assuming I check and find all eggs when I am there some eggs can be two weeks old. Too long?

 

[Ecarroll]

Thank you. I can build a very rugged one myself. I will explore getting one made as well just to save on time

Also, is the Rhode Island Red the one to get? What age?

I don't have to free range them with auto door and can instead let them roam when I am there.

This sounds great! Rhode Island Red will be good if that’s what you want, but maybe not if you want a rooster, as I’ve heard the rir roosters can be pretty mean. As I said before, any breed that’s okay with the cold (not silkies or breeds with very large combs), it really just depends on your preference and what’s available. Or if you want you could get a local farm to raise some pullets for you, (barnyard mix), probably cheaper and you know what your getting is good for your climate.

 

[Ecarroll]

yeah we have a ton of water via rain and will set up a system for them. My 12x12 roof caught 300 gallon in the last 30 days. so no problem.

I think winter hardy is the 2nd most important. since I have no power there I cannot give them heat. I will set up a super insulated water cooler with nipples and solar heating element so it won't freeze.. I will put inside the coop so maybe it'll produce some heat and they can warm it with their bodies at night. maybe even do the auto door on coop so it keeps them warmer at night but it will get very cold up there

But winter is my greatest concern. My worst case will be to sell or give farm back - before winter but I would love to keep them in winter.

Then friendly will be nice. My boys (6 & 9) love animals.

So order of importance is 1.tick 2. winter. 3. friendly.

I was thinking guinea fowl but I am concerned they will go to my neighbor and bother him and also winter is rough for them so I think chickens might be the way to go

Good thinking in not getting Guinea fowl, they can be not as freindly, harder to have confined, don’t want to use the house, loud etc. I wouldn’t do rir if you want friendly and are not to concerned with egg production, everyone will give different suggestions for breed, just pick whatever appeals to you as long as they are cold hardy.