Re: Chicken roosts

a_l_p wrote:
Jill wrote:
"Mikey" <crowefamilyfarms@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:c7bfe51a-a399-431e-816b-570501e397ee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi group: I am planning to build a chicken coop for Buckeye's this
year and have a question. I have seen different heights for both
nests and night-time roosts. What have you folks used or found
usefull. Thanks


Being such a heavy bird, if the information here
http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/buckeye.html is correct, you would not
want either of them high. They may be active but the heavy breeds
can be less willing to come of higher perches or can damage their
ligaments doing so. One foot would be fine - or just over their body
height so as not to obstruct the floor area.
If your Buckeye's are different then ignore the above <grin>


Deep litter is good in that way, nice soft landing. Depends on
numbers. With a whole lot I'd probably put in a removable poo shelf
under the perch so it could be cleaned out regularly because the
litter underneath can get wet and vile. With small numbers scattering
the grain scratch feed can get it turned over, helped by a bit of
garden fork action if necessary. What do you think, Jill?

I am always wary of feeding anything where there is going to be a lot of
concentrated droppings, like in a house, but feeding a little scratch in a
run area works well.
Deep litter takes some skill to get right -- you can get an even more vile
mess <g> We top dress our beds almost daily because our climate is so wet,
the birds are in and out through damp grass all the time. The dressing of
shavings means that the dampness from the birds is drawn off by clean
litter.
We need to wait to find out more about how Mikey is going to be keeping
these birds -- all in, in and a pen, or in and ranging.


--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk


.

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