Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Didn't think you were mate, just explaining for ya.
as for ethics, anything that has plenty of room to move, is not caged imho.
do you have an ethical problem with paddocks of caged cows? :-)
How about 'free range hens' in a wired chicken run?
Do you have or have you ever had a pet rabbit, mouse, guinee pig, snake, lizard, or heaven help us: a fish?
I't all a matter of perspective mate

Probably seen too many pic's of battery hens

I'd look at it as I'd rather have my own apartment than be dueling with my neighbours. Especially if I was likely to lose arms and legs or get eaten.

I tried to house several together and ended up separating them 'cause all they wanted to do was fight.

EDIT: Oops, missed page 2.

I too feel sorry for the poor battery hens. All animals should have enough room to move around and be comfortable.

Most people have no idea were their eggs come from or are under the delusion that hens need to be happy to lay.

They don't realise that you just have to pump enough protein in and you get eggs, even if the hens are miserable.

I got some blue barrels today and now I'm wondering how to pipe them up. The only time I've connected hoses to a rounded plastic surface I used a screw in poly elbow and duct tape around the thread (I had no thread tape). It worked ok in those buckets but a couple have a slow drip leak. Any suggestions for a method of connecting hoses to these barrels? I can't seem to find anything that screws together with a rubber seal.

Also for the marron should I cut them top-bottom for larger surface area (and able to use them as a grow bed later on) or horizontally so the walls are vertical and it's more difficult for them to climb out (i think?)

EDIT: I just found a post about tophat grommets, so I'll have a look for these.

Jonezy check out this thread I posted a little while ago: Tophat Grommets - What are they?
they are imho the "Bee's Knees"

Yeah thats the post I found

I'll see if I can get them locally.

any good hydro store should have them.

lol mis spelt store and one of the spell check options was STONER LOL

Yeah, I've got a local Hydro Stoner too Steve