Plastic Barrels for stag pens? - Sabong, Cockfighting and Gamefowl Posting Pit

TH & Son · September 24th, 2012, 10:41 PM

I am in the process of setting up my farm and I have seen a few partial pics of plastic barrels laying down, stacked 3 or 4 high used as pens, especially for young stags. Anyone have any advice of whether this is good or bad. If you have some pics please share if possible. Thanks and God Bless.

Redbreeder1 · September 24th, 2012, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TH & Son

I am in the process of setting up my farm and I have seen a few partial pics of plastic barrels laying down, stacked 3 or 4 high used as pens, especially for young stags. Anyone have any advice of whether this is good or bad. If you have some pics please share if possible. Thanks and God Bless.

Sir, I personally have used them for a long time, for occasional holding pens, but mostly for stags when I first pen them. They are in there until spurs are hard enough for the ropes. Something I have noticed is they gentle quicker in them because you are closer to them each day in feeding and watering as they are more in your face so to speak. I use pine shavings like U get at feed store used for stable bedding. They are clean and last a good while, I used a round feed scoop to scoop out the old bedding, U will know when they need to be changed. The stags come out gentle, good bodies and perfect feather. My experience has been good......it also gives U much space if U need it....

jncblas · September 24th, 2012, 11:10 PM

If I had the space to use these barrel colonies, I would. Know this one breeder that uses them it as far as I could tell through the pictures he sends me, he stacks them about 4 high and I'm only guessing here but it looks like he has about 40 to 50 of them in that one colony. Says it does wonders for the stags, even for cocks! But primarily used for stags.

shocker · September 25th, 2012, 12:44 AM

I've had a barrel colony for many years, close to 25 years. I Highly recommend them for raising stags. I posted this on another gamefowl site some time ago but it still is good to go. :

The litter needs to be masonary sand so the dropping are broken up over time, and you only need to change it once a year or if you use the colony multiple times in one season,,when the next group gets put in.

You can leave them in it till they become cocks if you need/want to. With flypens, litter, rotation and/or hand work, they will be as athletic/muscled up as cocks not kept in the barrels in as short a time as 2-3 weeks. I normally will put them out when the spur is set and hard, but I've kept them in much much longer too, and have had no negitives from doing it that i know of. If you moult them in the barrels, use one of those tiny gardening rakes to drag out feathers periodically in that they will cause the sand to pack and they hold droppings and moisture.

Do NOT have them in full shade all the time unless you use additives in quantity in the water and feed. They need some direct sunlight or they will go flat as a flitter.

Asils are the only flavor I've found that don't do well in the colony. For some reason, they don't squat at night or when it's freezing like american bred do. The asils i kept in it ALL lost toes or feet from hard freeze where none of the Am. flavor did.(this is assuming you live where there will be hard freezes, if not, they should be fine)

Use a hinge for one door so access is readily available. (cotter key, hog ring, wire loop, )

There are lots of advantages to the barrel colony"

1 Virtually eliminates pen fights(with them raised offground)

2 Takes way less time to feed and water and you can use controled additives with no problems(vits, minerals, etc,)

3 They stay in better feather and body if monitored correctly

4 Worming and delousing is a snap without handling them

5 They lose the "fear factor" within a few weeks. They see you coming to feed and they are waiting at the door in just a few weeks. (which, also, if one doesn't respond like that, watch him carefully, he may have other problems

6 The barrels can be used for keeping hens during the time you are not needing them.

7 Auto water units can be added pretty quickly and easily

8 If you use stable racks, they can be moved readily with your tractor or 4wd truck

8 Records, marks, info of all kinds can be kept on the barrel for quick decisions if or when needed

9 You can pen at an earlier stage and therefore keep more hatched( i have critters and varmits here so owls, hawks, etc. become a problem for a shorter time)

10 If space is a problem, you can raise aLOT more in a smaller space

11 The holding barrels are very inexpensive compared to material costs and labor to build regular holding pens

I highly recommend a barrel colony for small flocks or large ones. I gave away 200 round wire pens after one year experimentation and replaced them with the barrel colony. You can double your selection with the same space.

i have a pic that really isn't a good pic of the colony but shows it off the ground at http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/shocker513/

Rogelio Monzon · September 25th, 2012, 03:54 AM

is there any way i can get the barrles for free in southern califonria

nakedheels · September 25th, 2012, 04:01 AM

i think the pic shocker talking about is pic 8, im plan to try do 100 blue barrel colonys ...

bluered58 · September 25th, 2012, 04:02 AM

Do you have any pictures of the barrels you all are talking about. I would like to see how they are put together. Thanks

sidro · September 25th, 2012, 07:45 AM

anybody got any more pictures?

gnomestorm · September 25th, 2012, 07:48 AM

pictures would definitely help. upload please

TH & Son · September 25th, 2012, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shocker

I've had a barrel colony for many years, close to 25 years. I Highly recommend them for raising stags. I posted this on another gamefowl site some time ago but it still is good to go. :

The litter needs to be masonary sand so the dropping are broken up over time, and you only need to change it once a year or if you use the colony multiple times in one season,,when the next group gets put in.

You can leave them in it till they become cocks if you need/want to. With flypens, litter, rotation and/or hand work, they will be as athletic/muscled up as cocks not kept in the barrels in as short a time as 2-3 weeks. I normally will put them out when the spur is set and hard, but I've kept them in much much longer too, and have had no negitives from doing it that i know of. If you moult them in the barrels, use one of those tiny gardening rakes to drag out feathers periodically in that they will cause the sand to pack and they hold droppings and moisture.

Do NOT have them in full shade all the time unless you use additives in quantity in the water and feed. They need some direct sunlight or they will go flat as a flitter.

Asils are the only flavor I've found that don't do well in the colony. For some reason, they don't squat at night or when it's freezing like american bred do. The asils i kept in it ALL lost toes or feet from hard freeze where none of the Am. flavor did.(this is assuming you live where there will be hard freezes, if not, they should be fine)

Use a hinge for one door so access is readily available. (cotter key, hog ring, wire loop, )

There are lots of advantages to the barrel colony"

1 Virtually eliminates pen fights(with them raised offground)

2 Takes way less time to feed and water and you can use controled additives with no problems(vits, minerals, etc,)

3 They stay in better feather and body if monitored correctly

4 Worming and delousing is a snap without handling them

5 They lose the "fear factor" within a few weeks. They see you coming to feed and they are waiting at the door in just a few weeks. (which, also, if one doesn't respond like that, watch him carefully, he may have other problems

6 The barrels can be used for keeping hens during the time you are not needing them.

7 Auto water units can be added pretty quickly and easily

8 If you use stable racks, they can be moved readily with your tractor or 4wd truck

8 Records, marks, info of all kinds can be kept on the barrel for quick decisions if or when needed

9 You can pen at an earlier stage and therefore keep more hatched( i have critters and varmits here so owls, hawks, etc. become a problem for a shorter time)

10 If space is a problem, you can raise aLOT more in a smaller space

11 The holding barrels are very inexpensive compared to material costs and labor to build regular holding pens

I highly recommend a barrel colony for small flocks or large ones. I gave away 200 round wire pens after one year experimentation and replaced them with the barrel colony. You can double your selection with the same space.

i have a pic that really isn't a good pic of the colony but shows it off the ground at http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/shocker513/

Your reply was most helpful. Just wanted to earnetly thank you for the time that you put into that reply. Thanks again

BamaOkie · September 25th, 2012, 08:15 AM

They raising birds in plastic drum = not for me

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...3L6olc6grM8sbw

gnomestorm · September 25th, 2012, 08:33 AM

that's nice. but it's not leveled? isn't it bad the flooring isn't leveled. it's round instead.

sidro · September 25th, 2012, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamaOkie

They raising birds in plastic drum = not for me

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...3L6olc6grM8sbw

thanks for posting those pictures bama

pennyhatch3303 · September 26th, 2012, 02:59 AM

Since most of my birds have 2 be penned by 4 to 5 months pens

sidro · September 26th, 2012, 03:09 AM

i guess a man could put a 2x6 across the bottom on its edge for a roost and some thing for them to work their legs stepping over it all day

Camarines · September 26th, 2012, 06:01 AM

It works fine for young chicks to adolescent birds.

point remove · September 26th, 2012, 07:33 AM

I like them to be on the ground so I like pens better but the barrels are good too.

gnomestorm · September 26th, 2012, 09:32 AM

can they live in there with just a 2x4 with some carpet over the 2x4?

shocker · September 26th, 2012, 10:01 AM

Geeze, you put masonary sand in the barrel, that makes the floor about 14 inches wide and the length of the barrel. and(go figure) level. They do not need a roost, they will squat in the sand. i feed mine on one side and water them out of the other side. i use 2x4 welded wire for the door on one side and put solidly on the other side. (not a door) They will work in the sand and break up any **** that is in the barrel.
You can dust them by putting wettable garden sulfur in the sand. You can worm them using pig wormer pellets in the cup you feed them in. Any additive that is water soluable can be put in the water cups(i use quart waterers) if you prefer to use smaller wire for the openings, i.e. 1x2 or 2x2, at the opening you make for them to drink or eat out of the cups, you can cut an old garden hose and section it in 2 places to surround the opening with rubber so that they dont mess their neck feathers up on the wire. i.e. I_I and turn that upside down , slit it lengthwize and put it over the wire. do not cut the mid slots all the way thru. Go to bill mcnatts site and look at how his are done, very efficient and handy.

nakedheels · September 26th, 2012, 10:36 AM

here's a friend set up http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=...type=2&theater shocker a cool guy ... he a stra8 shooter .

gnomestorm · September 26th, 2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogelio Monzon

is there any way i can get the barrles for free in southern califonria

found these miracle barrels on craigslist for 10 bucks a piece only to realize shipping was 40 bucks

so 50 bucks a piece.

ouch. =(

but again, still cheaper than some pens.

pennyhatch3303 · September 26th, 2012, 04:02 PM

For the price I'll just drive down south me and a uncle in Bakersfield are buy 100 pens 25 bucks each

vic5.0 · September 26th, 2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennyhatch3303

For the price I'll just drive down south me and a uncle in Bakersfield are buy 100 pens 25 bucks each

That's what we are doing pretty soon
. But some of those barrel colonies look nice under shade

Dirtybird555 · September 26th, 2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shocker

Geeze, you put masonary sand in the barrel, that makes the floor about 14 inches wide and the length of the barrel. and(go figure) level. They do not need a roost, they will squat in the sand. i feed mine on one side and water them out of the other side. i use 2x4 welded wire for the door on one side and put solidly on the other side. (not a door) They will work in the sand and break up any **** that is in the barrel.
You can dust them by putting wettable garden sulfur in the sand. You can worm them using pig wormer pellets in the cup you feed them in. Any additive that is water soluable can be put in the water cups(i use quart waterers) if you prefer to use smaller wire for the openings, i.e. 1x2 or 2x2, at the opening you make for them to drink or eat out of the cups, you can cut an old garden hose and section it in 2 places to surround the opening with rubber so that they dont mess their neck feathers up on the wire. i.e. I_I and turn that upside down , slit it lengthwize and put it over the wire. do not cut the mid slots all the way thru. Go to bill mcnatts site and look at how his are done, very efficient and handy.

Can you post a link to bills site? I can't find it.

Honey creek · September 27th, 2012, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shocker

Geeze, you put masonary sand in the barrel, that makes the floor about 14 inches wide and the length of the barrel. and(go figure) level. They do not need a roost, they will squat in the sand. i feed mine on one side and water them out of the other side. i use 2x4 welded wire for the door on one side and put solidly on the other side. (not a door) They will work in the sand and break up any **** that is in the barrel.
You can dust them by putting wettable garden sulfur in the sand. You can worm them using pig wormer pellets in the cup you feed them in. Any additive that is water soluable can be put in the water cups(i use quart waterers) if you prefer to use smaller wire for the openings, i.e. 1x2 or 2x2, at the opening you make for them to drink or eat out of the cups, you can cut an old garden hose and section it in 2 places to surround the opening with rubber so that they dont mess their neck feathers up on the wire. i.e. I_I and turn that upside down , slit it lengthwize and put it over the wire. do not cut the mid slots all the way thru. Go to bill mcnatts site and look at how his are done, very efficient and handy.

Do you use anything to hold them together?

sidro · September 27th, 2012, 08:22 AM

would make handy holding pens while working with birds.

YeY197 · September 27th, 2012, 09:04 AM

How can something so easy become so complicated on here?

To build them use common sense its not that complicated guys..I know of a few people whom use barrel colonies for hardening pens and even holding pens it wont affect nothing their is no ill effects..I think ole Shocker has proven that if you know who he is

..You can feed them a little less pick them up and handle them easily administer meds and vitamins with ease soon as them spurs harden up you put them on grass simple as that..You can even put brood hens in there and get them nice and healthy for you breeding season.I've seen stags come out of them that look and feel better them mine in 4x4s..I'm slowly moving toward a barrel colony because I need the space instead of all the other stuff. Just barrel colony, tepees, brood pens and flypens I an shooting for.

ga coondawg · September 27th, 2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YeY197

How can something so easy become so complicated on here?

To build them use common sense its not that complicated guys..I know of a few people whom use barrel colonies for hardening pens and even holding pens it wont affect nothing their is no ill effects..I think ole Shocker has proven that if you know who he is

..You can feed them a little less pick them up and handle them easily administer meds and vitamins with ease soon as them spurs harden up you put them on grass simple as that..You can even put brood hens in there and get them nice and healthy for you breeding season.I've seen stags come out of them that look and feel better them mine in 4x4s..I'm slowly moving toward a barrel colony because I need the space instead of all the other stuff. Just barrel colony, tepees, brood pens and flypens I an shooting for.

Hey S... I have been working out blue prints on a breeding facility that will incorporate single mating, high production, and early breeding all into one facility...

Rite now I'm looking at having 42 hens, and eight brood cocks in it and the ability to start breeding in November.

When I get the lay out worked out and the material list figured out I'll send it to ya....

bigdoghectic · September 27th, 2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennyhatch3303

For the price I'll just drive down south me and a uncle in Bakersfield are buy 100 pens 25 bucks each

what kind of pens and what size im thinking about buying 100 pens too

sidro · September 28th, 2012, 03:12 AM

you guys that are using these barrels with sand in them do you have trouble with them holding water in after a rain? . was thinking of throwing some together for single mating pens, was trying to work out all the kinks before hand, thinking of drilling some 1/16th" holes in the bottom and laying some fine mesh screen wire over that and then adding sand. think they would make great single mate pens with a nest mounted on the back