The Poultry Keeper

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2070 Location: North Cornwall

Hi Stamina, what do you think of it so far. Have we got it about right

stamina · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 6:36 pm Post subject:

Hi Jan,
Looks dead right to me. Big enough so they wont be intimidated
by a small space and in an area where they will have a nice aproach and see the food you put in for them. Bait it for a few days now so they get used to feeding in that spot (the longer you leave it the better. I'm sure you'll catch in that one otherwise I'll come and catch 'em myself. Wink

Good luck
Stamina.
(hope it bl**dywell works) Smile

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2070 Location: North Cornwall

Well, if you fancy a holiday in Cornwall just let me know, you'd be most welcome.
Thanks again.
Ps. OH says he is thinking about 15-18 inches diameter for the wide end of the funnels, is that OK?

stamina · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:05 pm Post subject:

Hi Jan.
I would go about 12 to 15 inches for the funnel and down to about 8 or 9 inches at the narrow end.
Think about spanning the birds across the back with your hands, that will give you some idea of their width.
Remember they will always push through a tight spot to get at their food and you dont want them to find their way out again.
Mind you, if they find they can go in and out, then it would not be hard to make the funnel smaller.
Fingers crossed for you,
Stamina

debcat · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:17 pm Post subject:

good luck Jan

CP · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

Good luck - hope it works for you.

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2070 Location: North Cornwall

Thankyou both, Im keeping my fingers crossed but the signs are good, they are feeding under it as I type. Few days to go before we add the serious bits,it then gets nasty,poor little b***ers. I'd like to know what im supposed to do about all the wild birds that fly in. There are Canada Geese down there now.

Lisa · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:49 pm Post subject:

Best of luck Jan.

(Good one Stamina!)

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

It's looking good Jan. I hope you don't get too many of the wild birds going in to, I hope the larger ones stay away if they see a gathering of yours around the feeding area. When will you try to put the other bits on?

Mel · Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 150 Location: Gosport, Hampshire

Jan, you have done brilliantly well done. Let's hope all goes to plan for you xx

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2070 Location: North Cornwall

Dixie Chicks · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 281 Location: Cumbria

....... but human. Good luck and thinking of you.

NannyP · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 12:41 am Post subject:

Well done, looks like you have interpreted Stamina's instructions well. Hope it works for you and that you manage to do what you have to.

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Oh bless your heart, what a difficult time you're having Sad

Thinking of you x

stamina · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject:

Hi Jan, I have a friend in Dorset who has adapted some large cattle sheds for his ducks. They are modern buildings with half concrete block walls, at the bottom and Yorkshire boarding on top. The buildings have slatted floors with slurry pit below (I'm sure you will know the type I mean). We thought the slats might be a problem so rolled out some round baled straw. That's
worked a treat. He has about 280 mallard in there, all caught up with the method you are using now.
They seem quite happy, he has put some conifer branches in piles around the shed and the birds are happily laying eggs already.If restrictions are placed for further bio-security, he intends to put some of the close weave green windbreak net on the inside of the Yorkshire boarding. This will make the whole place wild bird proof. For water he has got some sheep foot baths and left a hose-pipe trickling in one end, just to keep the water fresh.
Just thought you may have a building that you could adapt, it can't be too long before your cattle will be going out in your part of the world.
Your birds may enjoy freedom, but confinement for a short while may be better than the alternative.
Regards and Good Luck
Stamina