Chicken Tractors

Five Week Broilers in Chicken Tractors 5.15.11

The weather was finally nice enough late last week that we were able to move the broilers outside and into their chicken tractors.  Our little chicks are now five weeks old, and not so little anymore.

Chicken Tractor with Tires On 5.15.11

In case you can't tell by the photos, a chicken tractor is simply a movable chicken coop without a floor.  Derek came up with the design for our tractors himself after looking at lots of others online.  Each tractor is 4 feet by 8 feet by 2 feet high. They each have a hanging feeder and waterer inside, and we have about 10 chickens in each one.

All Five Chicken Tractors in Front Yard 5.15.11

We move them every day so that the birds are always on fresh, clean grass.  To move them, we share the repurposed lawn mower tires between all five tractors, lift up the back and then pull them forward (very slowly, so that the chickens can walk along inside) using the rope in the front.  Out in the chicken tractors, the birds have access to fresh air, sunshine, and forage, but are still protected from predators and harsh weather conditions.  But, the best part about them is that they don't need bedding and there is no need to clean them out!  In a few weeks, you will see dark green strips of extra lush grass in our yard behind the chicken tractors thanks to the fertilizer.  Any questions?