I have a metal stock rack that fits inside a full size PU truck, so it is good sized. I tried to sell them but no takers. I thought I might be able to use them for something besides a cucumber trellis. Any ideas? Kaye, WC ILL

-- JK Reno (klreno@irtc.net), March 12, 2002

Answers

Are you talking about stock panels? 4ftx16ft (or so) panels? Those would be a bit heavy and would require a wood frame but should work. There are Hog panels that might work better for a chicken tractor. About 1/2 as high as a stock panel and smaller metal grid.

As for cucumber trellis. They work very well for that as well.

-- Gary in Ohio (gws@columbus.rr.com), March 13, 2002.

a stock rack is what you put in the back of a pickup to haul animals. its make of wide pieces of metal welDeD together. some have gates at the end to make it easier to get out. it fits on top of bed of truck.

-- randy in central missouri (rwybrant@coin.org), March 13, 2002.

Stock racks might work. You would probably need wheels to help move it around, they are pretty heavy. Best wishes!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), March 13, 2002.

Think of the rack as a frame. Use hardware cloth or something similar (poultry netting is easily torn) to keep the birds in and the predators out. Something for a roof - tarp or a fixed roof - for shade and to keep the rain off. Likely need wheels unless you're going to pull it with a tractor or truck. Hang waterers and feeders and you're good to go.

Kind of expensive to buy one new for such a project but if you've got one already laying around not being used for anything it ought to work fine.

......Alan.

-- Alan (athagan@atlantic.net), March 13, 2002.

We used our old wooden stock rack to store stove kindling. It did help keep it in one place and a tarp on top helped keep it dry but it sure was a waste of a good rack. (we bought a horse trailer so we didn't use the rack any more and no one else wanted it)

-- Scotsirish (notreal@anywhere.net), March 13, 2002.