Page 43 - 2024 Poultry Digital Catalog

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Innovative Designs
Justin is well known for his “can-do” attitude and for crafting unique, innovation solutions to everyday homesteading problems.
(photo below left) It’s never to early to get started! Josiah prepares the next paddock for grazing.
(photo below right) Popularly referred to as the ChickShaw, Justin has developed a one-person mobile coop for his layer flock. Weight is distributed over the wheels; simply lift at the front to move to the next location.
J u st i n's
Secrets to Sustainability
Few activities in life are as rewarding as being responsible for domestic farm animals
But, remember...
Don’t get farm animals because you
think they’re cute.
Farm animals depend on us for their food, shelter, sanitation and comfort. If you’re not ready for this responsibility, raising livestock may not be for you.
Place complimentary elements like
chickens & gardens next to each other.
Animals don’t care if things are perfect. Let animals do the work and become co-laborers with us to help restore the land.
Don’t give up!
Raising livestock is hard. Remember, the journey IS the destination. Find joy in the sweat, tears and calloused hands.
Poultry FAQs
Q. How many chickens should I have in my flock?
A. For a novice we recommend 2 to 4 hens. They will provide you with experience and a supply of eggs
spring through fall. (Hens lay fewer eggs during winter months.)
Q. Do I need a rooster for my hens to lay eggs?
A. No. Roosters are unnecessary in the production of eggs. Obviously, a rooster is essential for fertilized
eggs. Some roosters make life difficult for hens, injuring them over time with their spurs and beaks. For the health of the hens, remove the rooster if he becomes too rough with them.
Caution: Roosters can become territorial and aggressive, a danger especially to visitors and children.
Q. How many eggs will a hen lay?
A. A young hen can lay 5 eggs/week during peak laying
season, depending on her breed. As hens age, they lay fewer eggs per week/month/year. Generally speaking, chickens with white earlobes will lay white eggs and those with red earlobes will lay brown eggs.
Q. Do chickens fly?
A. That depends on how you define flying. If motivated,
lighter breeds and bantams can easily fly over a fence or up to a tree branch or rafter. But they lack the ability of true flight that wild birds have.
Q. How much area will birds need?
A. The numbers below are minimum recommendations
(per bird) for outdoor poultry pens. Within limits, more space is always better.
• Bantams: 4 sq ft • Standard breeds: 8 sq ft • Ducks: 15 sq ft • Geese & turkeys: 18 sq ft
Q. What’s a good starter breed?
A. For a first chicken, Orpingtons are hard to beat.
Friendly, calm, hardy and good layers. Choose a reputable breeder who can supply day-old birds that are free of disease.
Q. What do I need for a coop?
A. At Premier we have had hens make their home in
sheep barns, garages or hay lofts. Ideally, a structure that’s easy to clean, offers security from predators, space to get away from the boss hen, and is well ventilated yet draft free.
Q. Will the electric fence shock hurt my chickens? A. No, they’re better insulated than humans. The
shock they feel is less compared to what we feel. Keep them happy within their pen and they’re less inclined to test the fence.
Q. What’s a good multi-species net?
A. To fence poultry, swine, sheep and goats, the answer
is PoultryNet. If using with swine, monitor their rooting and burying of the bottom electrified strand.
Search our website:
PoultryNet
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