Mobile Chicken Coop Eval

The mobile chicken coop, at 8’ x 17’, is abit large to traverse our narrow trails, but just the right size for 100 birds to roost. Trails and turnarounds need improvement. It did prove mobile with finessing and determination. As the electric net draws power from the existing electric fence we are limited to the fence lines for moving. In the summer sun, the interior of the coop stays cooler with some shade from the trees. However, more predators lurk within the trees, to include a fisher spotted this fall. The disappearance of 8 birds in the second batch attests to his or her skill. The birds like to lounge beneath the coop which stays cool, dry, and protects from hawks. The chickens do learn to enter their coop/roost at nightfall via the ramp. To clean:  Shovel out and move on. Day-ranging chickens with  decent space/bird is labor intensive. The quality of life for the chicken and the quality of the meat for us are priceless.

raising them next year, the good Lord willing. They even dug up large boulders so they could be more easily removed. And a more joyful creature is not to be found.

The chickens averaged small this year, especially the first spring batch. Average weights were 3.2-3.8 pounds. They needed 10-12 weeks to reach market weight. The Cornish-Cornish cross is very healthy, a good browser, but less plump than the Cornish-Rock Cross (breed developed for industry). The latter bird is definitely not a good browser and experiences leg and heart problems from abnormally rapid growth. Right now we’re thinking of moving to heirloom breeds of chickens, taking more time to finish, and enjoying a variety of different but proven breeds for meat. But no black feathered birds.

The hens took a vacation over the Autumn Equinox, but are now increasing production again. We do keep lights on so they have 16 hours of total light. Otherwise, they will take a vacation all winter. The quality of free-range browse is low now. Most bugs are gone and the nutritional content of forage is low, so they are increasing their grain intake significantly. They do like pumpkins (thanks, Bill & Shirley). Our prices had to increase back to $1.25/dozen.

Maintenance and repairs are a big part of overhead this year. It seemed every piece of equipment needed parts and time to fix. Thanks to Swede and Lynford for keeping me rolling. Last year it was veterinary bills primarily due to Buddy’s bout with Lyme’s Disease and founder. But although he is flat-footed now, he has recovered to the point that Barb should be able to start light work with him later this fall.

Due to advancing overhead costs, the WhiteTail Ridgeline will go to twice yearly publication, Spring and Fall.