4 years, 5 months ago-
Posts
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@I recently moved to a new location and will be building pens to keep pairs and individuals. My main question is what is the minimum size a breeding pen should be for a pair? What about an individual? The way I had them housed before was wrong and I want to start fresh with new and correct guidance. Thanks in advance!
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Well, the bigger, the better. But, as far as the minimum size, 4×8 for pairs and individuals, and 6×8 for trios.
However, I like 6wx8Lx8h for single matings (stud-mating), and 8x8x8 for group matings (pen-matings). I even have a number of pens that are 6wx12Lx6h, which I like a lot. And, a few pens that are 10wx10Lx6h.
I’m getting ready to build new brood pens at my farm, and plan to make them 8wx8Lx8h
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@I see, any smaller than that and it affects health and egg productivity I assume? I’ve also heard that the perches shouldn’t be too high because it could hurt their soles and they could get bumblefoot, do you think think there’s credit to that?
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@Perfect, thanks so much for the info Mr. Troiano! Now to figure out how many of these pens I need to make at our new place! Very excited to see them finished and with birds in them, just need to figure out how many birds I need to try and hatch to have enough for selection. I assume there needs to be a high amount of chicks? Taking in consideration how many won’t make it or will need culled. Not to mention critters which I always keep my fingers crossed and hope to keep a close eye on everything!
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@That’s exactly what I was afraid of lol!
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@Would you build your fly pens 8x8x8 also?
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@Do you still prefer to have the roost at about five feet tall
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@I’m drawing out my first individual breeding pens as well for large Orpingtons. This was very helpful as far as size. Do you find a nipple waterer is helpful that runs the full width through the pens is a good idea?
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@Ok thank you. Im going to plan on installing it then.
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@Kenny, you mentioned before on several podcasts about your thick litter. Can you describe the layers that you use for all around health, smell, and disease prevention?
Thank you
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Sure, I’m always throwing, grass clippings, shredded branches, horse manure, and hay in the pens. When the litter gets too high, I will take only 2/3rds out. I will turn the soil that’s left and start over with the deep litter. The litter creates microbes that improve immunity and aids in raising healthy fowl. The smell is never a problem as long as you keep adding new grass, branch shreds and horse manure.
special note: I make sure the horse are healthy and I dry the manure real good before I use it.
Hope that helps,
Kenny
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@Yes sir. I know several guys that start with a base of sand. I’ve added grass clippings and horse manure for years as my parents raise quarter horses. What are your thoughts on the sand for drainage?
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