Comments on: The Day Ranger – Chicken Shelter http://www.smallfarmlife.com/2009/07/31/the-day-ranger-chicken-shelter/ Lessons learned from 80 acres and a 6 burner stove Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:07:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Saying Grace | Small Farm Life http://www.smallfarmlife.com/2009/07/31/the-day-ranger-chicken-shelter/comment-page-1/#comment-5682 Saying Grace | Small Farm Life Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:48:49 +0000 http://www.smallfarmlife.com/?p=903#comment-5682 [...] I gathered each of the first 14 meat chickens I raised, I held each one, talked to it, and thanked it for allowing me to take care of it and for being [...] [...] I gathered each of the first 14 meat chickens I raised, I held each one, talked to it, and thanked it for allowing me to take care of it and for being [...]

]]> By: Fritz Nordengren http://www.smallfarmlife.com/2009/07/31/the-day-ranger-chicken-shelter/comment-page-1/#comment-4794 Fritz Nordengren Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:22:57 +0000 http://www.smallfarmlife.com/?p=903#comment-4794 I expanded the floor today, by taking out the temporary back wall, making it now 8 x 8, with the sides enclosed by chicken wire and the front fold down wooden door. The front half of the sides are covered with foil bubble insulation which I roll up and down to adjust the heat. Its 80 during the day (warmer inside) and 60's at night. I expanded the floor today, by taking out the temporary back wall, making it now 8 x 8, with the sides enclosed by chicken wire and the front fold down wooden door. The front half of the sides are covered with foil bubble insulation which I roll up and down to adjust the heat. Its 80 during the day (warmer inside) and 60′s at night.

]]> By: Fritz Nordengren http://www.smallfarmlife.com/2009/07/31/the-day-ranger-chicken-shelter/comment-page-1/#comment-4596 Fritz Nordengren Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:55:56 +0000 http://www.smallfarmlife.com/?p=903#comment-4596 HI, I'm now on day 4 for the chicks in the shelter, no losses to predators, and one lost to heat or failure to thrive. I encouraged it to drink all afternoon but it wasn't meant to be. The difference -- as I read and look -- between a chicken tractor pen and day ranging is how "free" are the birds. The trade off is more freedom = less security. I'm opting for this day range approach as a first time trial. It would be possible to add wheels to this design to ease moving, if that was a desire, too. I think the key on ground predator prevention without a tractor pen is great fencing, and my choice is the electric netting. (See Premiere Fencing - you can do a Google search) With your 300 chickens, you may have to make multiple small pens, or a bigger area with a stronger or multiple electric energizers. This doesn't prevent potential hawk or owl attacks. My hope is the chickens can dash under the shelter (if they are smart enough) and they will be under it at night, with chicken wire sides and a closed front to stop the aerial predators. Thanks and I hope this helps. HI, I’m now on day 4 for the chicks in the shelter, no losses to predators, and one lost to heat or failure to thrive. I encouraged it to drink all afternoon but it wasn’t meant to be.

The difference — as I read and look — between a chicken tractor pen and day ranging is how “free” are the birds. The trade off is more freedom = less security. I’m opting for this day range approach as a first time trial. It would be possible to add wheels to this design to ease moving, if that was a desire, too.

I think the key on ground predator prevention without a tractor pen is great fencing, and my choice is the electric netting. (See Premiere Fencing – you can do a Google search) With your 300 chickens, you may have to make multiple small pens, or a bigger area with a stronger or multiple electric energizers.

This doesn’t prevent potential hawk or owl attacks. My hope is the chickens can dash under the shelter (if they are smart enough) and they will be under it at night, with chicken wire sides and a closed front to stop the aerial predators.

Thanks and I hope this helps.

]]> By: Charlene Roeland http://www.smallfarmlife.com/2009/07/31/the-day-ranger-chicken-shelter/comment-page-1/#comment-4590 Charlene Roeland Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:42:34 +0000 http://www.smallfarmlife.com/?p=903#comment-4590 I was just looking at your day range chicken website and was wondering how that was working for you. I have 300 chicks who are ready to go outside soon and was looking for the best way to finish them off. We are going to build movable pens but then I saw this and am considering it. I want something easy but that keeps the birds safe. Have you lost very many to predetors? Thank you, Charlene I was just looking at your day range chicken website and was wondering how that was working for you. I have 300 chicks who are ready to go outside soon and was looking for the best way to finish them off. We are going to build movable pens but then I saw this and am considering it. I want something easy but that keeps the birds safe. Have you lost very many to predetors?

Thank you,

Charlene

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