The Poultry Keeper

fenwoman · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:07 pm Post subject: polytunnel poultry housing

I went out today to a horrible hatchery and saw some great polytunnel type things for poultry. They were free standing, double skinned and insulated and the chap said a 2 metre by 6 metre one was £900 which I think is very reasonable. They could be partitioned inside to make housing for 2 breeds as there are pop holes either end. Here is the website for anyone interested. Once I've poaid off my vet bills I will save up for one of them to keep my growers in and another for all the batchelor cockerels.
That of course is assuming no cats play chicken with the cars and no dogs get sick or anything happens in between Rolling Eyes

http://www.mcgregorpolytunnels.co.uk/PoultPage.htm

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7370 Location: isle of lewis

these are great you can have them with ventilated sides so they don't got to hot they go from £199 although that depends on what you want on them
http://www.firsttunnels.co.uk/
suz

fenwoman · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:20 pm Post subject:

I think you are confusing polytunnels with the special livestock one I posted about. You could not keep poultry inside a polytunnel since even with both ends open, they would get far too hot on a summer day. I know, I used to grow beg in one.
The ones I posted about are double skinned with a layer of fibreglass between the 2 layers. The bottom edge of it is made from UPVC panels and there are pop holes, nest boxes, door etc. The other thing is that a polytunnel has to be fixed in place. First dig holes then hammer in the poles, then dig a trench to bury the plastic either side to keep it taut. These come in kit form and are free standing and can be moved abiout by a small tractor or several strong people.To my knowledge there is nobody doing that sort of thing for less than £200 and if you know different I will be the first to be buying.

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7370 Location: isle of lewis

i used to work in one picking tomatoes and strawberries so i know how hot they get ,ok i'm wrong i though you where talking about poly tunnels
suz

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

fenwoman · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject:

Sorry milkmaid and George. I did post a link in my original post . Here is the link again and I hope you can manage to see it this time.
http://www.mcgregorpolytunnels.co.uk/PoultPage.htm
Sorry for the confusion Embarassed

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Shame there isn't a few more in detail pictures, as I'm sure there will be some on here that are interested in them

Thanks for that fenwoman
Smile

fenwoman · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:41 pm Post subject:

I have asked them to send a catalogue and price list. I was very impressed with them in the flesh so to speak.

henhut · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 13

poultry poofs · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:38 am Post subject:

It seems rather funny that polytunnels are unsuitable for livestock when there use has been readily accepted for many years as safe winter and spring housing for lambing sheep and for easy over wintering of livestock in general.
Poultry would benefit in just the same way in identical structures.Since the use of polytunnels for chickens was sugested as a quarantine method in the event of AI getting here I see nothing amiss.The fact that it is currently winter should not present an overheating problem.IF in the unlikely event they should need to be used to house poultry in summer then there are high netlon sides available to allow free airflow through the structure without creating a heat problem.
Heat build up occurs in polytunnels in continuous lengths greater than 40 feet, with adequate vents available and end doors plus shading or an appropriate heat reflective material the heat build up does not become a problem.
Most of the modern polytunnels are designed for ease of build and use and do not require major construction, concrete or groundwork techniques.
The use of polytunnels is just as appropriate a consideration for emergency poultry housing with good planning as any other construction or building, at the end of the day people have to do their best with the materials and options and money they have at their disposal.
We made enquiries about tunnels for our birds and were quoted £360 for a 10x40 tunnel or £800 for 3 which we need.Which is expensive but equally the structures would be used for veg fruit and plants when not required for the chickens so I would see it as a cost effective option.
DIY structures are just as valid if the funds are tight.
Saying polytunnels are not suitable for poultry or livestock is like saying cars are not suitable for dogs and children because some idiots leave them shut up in them while they do their shopping.
Most people with livestock/poultry could, I think, be credited with a little common sense.

this company is one of many that do livestock polytunnels

http://www.northernpolytunnels.co.uk/

rich

stamina · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 11:18 am Post subject:

Well said rich. I for one, fully agree with you.
Any type of covering for birds or other stock use, needs also a modicum of common sense. Trouble is it doesn't seem so common, when emotion takes over Confused

.
Regards
Stamina Wink

mojo · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:46 pm Post subject:

the french use them all the time for housing their free rangers at nite

poultry poofs · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:47 pm Post subject:

They are not as expensive as people believe either, the livestock versions seen in the Farming press advertised a 10metre X20metre structure with the heat and light resistant covering to prevent heat build up for £1200 so £900 for a 2mx 6m seems a bit(very) steep to me.The most expensive part of the structure is the framing.The choice of material covering only marginally alters the total cost since nearly all companies offer the choice of clear,white, UV/heat reflective or opaque coverings(which generaly require artificial lighting) so if you do your homework before diving in it can be a good option.If you want the tunnel for plant growing to after any emergency use then its best to go for a white or UV reflective material or clear if you buy the shading net to go on top which will keep poultry cool when/if its used for them.If you buy the net sides at the time of purchase of the structure and explain what you need the tunnel for the price will be better. It also pays to shop around as there are still some people selling their polytunnel products labouring with the frame of mind that their product is very expensive to buy in(it might have been in the sevnties!) so have to pass the costs on to the consumer which is total rubbish. There are rip off merchants in all walks of life!
When we got quotes there was as much as £1500 difference for identical products which is 'extravagant' to say the least.

rich

PS
There are bound to be some people who will jump on the bandwagon to exploit poultry keepers fears and sell them a product that normally would cost a tenth of the price and normally wouldnt sell many.There's nothing like a good panic to get people to part with their money