[vfr400boy]

Hi iv seen some wire cages for growing chickens all weld mesh with a pull out tray and feeders built in ( saw them at a bantam breeders ) was just wondering if any one uses them or knows were I can get one from ?

[Izzy]

Like battery cages?

[vfr400boy]

Yes I guess so but they had pertches in and birds had loads of room , he sed they was a good way to rear them sa they keped very clean and because they can be stood on top of each other you can get a lot in a small room

[devonlady]

They would be for show birds in the showing season I would hope.

[landroverroy]

Why would your contact want to keep a lot of growing poultry inside a small room in wire cages piled on top of each other?
 Keeping a lot in a small room doesn't sound like they've got loads of space, nor does it sound like an improvement on the traditional way of keeping poultry in outside runs or free range, where they have room to scratch about and have dust bathes etc.

[ballingall]

Poultry show cages don't have perches and fixed feeders in them. I know the kind of cages you mean, but have to confess my thoughts are similar to landroverroy.

Beth

[Clansman]

This sort of thing or a solid bank of cages?

[chrismahon]

You have to use 'enriched' cages now with a scratching area, nesting area and perches. Keeping otherwise healthy chickens permanently in bare cages is I think technically illegal?


All the stress issues in any cage will of course mean they won't be healthy for long.

[vfr400boy]

That's it clansman , I just thort they'd be good when weaning chicks off heat be for putting them out side

[HesterF]

I use something that size for little chicks on heat - I actually have a dog cage but now I've seen that, I'm tempted because it looks more cat proof. By the time they're two or three weeks, they're generally too big for it and need more space to run around. Maybe they'd last a little longer with bantams and I guess it depends how many you have but you might need another interim step before they go outside. But certainly a good plan for newly hatched chicks.

[nutterly_uts]

I use a giant rabbit indoor cage for mine  Was from zooplus

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_cage/120_cm_cages/83034

[Clansman]

had a quick Google but can't find any for sale in the UK yet.

search for brooder or rearing cages

[Stereo]

I have built a movable run similar to Salatins pastures poultry tractors. Mine is 4m x 2m and can be easily moved by one person by lifting the roost end with a sack truck. Means the growers get fresh grass all the time. A smaller scale pen would be easy to make from roof batten and chicken wire and could be put on a bit of fresh grass each day. I like to get my chicks on grass as soon as possible so will put them out before 5 weeks if it's a sunny day.

[devonlady]

I harden mine off like plants, putting them out by day and bringing them in when the day stars to cool, until they are well feathered up. They are in a simple ark with a shelter.