Pole Shed to House Cages for Bachelors, Breeding, Brooding, Isolation/Observation

[Ted Brown]

BachelorPad Morning # 1

 

[aart]

I probably missed it but are these bachelor pads going to go into/under the new pole shed?

 

[Ted Brown]

I probably missed it but are these bachelor pads going to go into/under the new pole shed?

You missed nothing. Yes, will go under new pole shed; we had 1st snow flurry a week ago, diverted to winter ready for birds.

Back to pole shed...

 

[Ted Brown]

A friend told me that they sell cutoff blades ($40-$50) that one can use to trim excess metal sheeting if things are not completely square.

 

[Sally PB]

These two are a Chantecler over Barred Rock cross; from mistakes on my part selecting eggs. Will keep hens to see if better egg production results.

Very pretty pullets, in any case.

 

[aart]

A friend told me that they sell cutoff blades ($40-$50) that one can use to trim excess metal sheeting if things are not completely square.

Seems steep, blade fits a circular saw?
....and it can be tricky cutting that metal to avoid rusting at the cut edge.

 

[Ted Brown]

Seems steep, blade fits a circular saw?
....and it can be tricky cutting that metal to avoid rusting at the cut edge.

Yup.

One must have a HD circular or go slow.

& roof too steep to get above the cut, preferred.

I am using very old tin sheeting so already rusting... Cost for more than enough was $50. But agree...

I am out of square by 3" on the diagonals; have adjusted 2 times already; footprint 16' x 14'. As Pics show I have a six legged "hydra" tied midway up, prepared to take one more pass...

Weather closing in.

 

[paintedChix]

Where are you at now with building?

What is your family doing for Thanksgiving?

 

[Ted Brown]

@paintedChix

I am stopped with my build, diverted to one that pays real cash.

Panicking a bit about:
- water, currently have 6 locations and 4 heated waterers.
- 20+ hens&pullets getting "0" eggs (6-7 hatched late June so hoping; currently adding timer&3am-8 lighting)
- finalizing my "bachelor cage complex" for deep winter shelter

 

[paintedChix]

@paintedChix

I am stopped with my build, diverted to one that pays real cash.

Panicking a bit about:
- water, currently have 6 locations and 4 heated waterers.
- 20+ hens&pullets getting "0" eggs (6-7 hatched late June so hoping; currently adding timer&3am-8 lighting)
- finalizing my "cage complex" for deep winter shelter

What do your Temps get down to? I know I looked up your area before, but don't remember where you are. Will look it up again...

Our oldest daughter moved to my parents place in Shelby, MT & they are getting their 1st, probably "staying awhile", snows. Not sure how much snow yet, nothing like the snows that hit CO. This is their 1st year w/ chickens. I think they have 4 - last week got a group of frozen eggs, LOL. I was looking over your Woods Coop - that design would work well there.

For some reason, I didn't think you used lights.

Water. Hmmm. I remember the winter end of 94, 95 & 96 in MT. we hauled water 9 miles from Shelby town in 500 gallon tank. Water tubs (1/2 metal barrels & 100 gallon Rubbermaid tanks) for parents' horses & my ponies all held "on the floor" round tank heaters or the oblong loop tank heaters that twisted into the drain hole of the Rubbermaid. It kept thick ice from forming, but still had to do some breaking... Didn't have chickens.

I've had water freeze more here in NC (between Southern Pines & Raleigh) & inches thick in those Rubbermaid tanks - haven't had power to use heaters. Chickens since 2011 - best winter waterers - black Rubbermaid feed tubs that can be turned over & stomped on. Ice chunk out, turn over & refill. I get tired of replacing the plastic waterers - they crack!

As far as eggs - do you & wife (haven't seen her name, sorry) preserve eggs when not hatching? If so, what ways? I have, so far, only mixed 6 or 12 eggs at a time in freezer ziplock bags... I am looking at other methods, but haven't had laying hens this year...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!