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June 20, 2008

Chicken Tractors

A chicken tractor is a movable pen for birds that is easily moved to allow them access to fresh ground. It was initially coined, or at least made popular, by Joel Salatin. He is a farmer well-known for his innovative pasturing and organic practices.

After spending about a week in the basement in rubbermaid totes and under heat lamps, the K22 broiler chicks from Moyers are ready to go outside. They love to sunbathe in what I call the "porch" of their chicken tractor.
Some of them are inside the sheltered area of the tractor. I have removed the roof so we can see them all.
This turkey poult wants to see them all too! He has been running around and around, looking at all of the chicks.
The Freedom Rangers have their own tractor too. At this point they are large enough that they are allowed to, well, Free Range all day. But you can see, construction of a tractor is very simple.
We have settled on a tractor that is about 10' long and 36" wide. This matches the size of one piece of galvanized roofing. Half a roll of 1" chicken wire will enclose the box and the top of the "sunroom," an open area at the end. The opposite end is enclosed with wood for their shelter. This is where they usually sleep.
The sleeping area is fronted with an entry way for additional shelter. The framing is made from rough cut lumber, and the other wood is whatever we have on hand whether it's more rough cut, OSB or plywood.
The older turkey poults use this tractor. You can see their roost. Birds have to be encouraged to roost at a young age, or they will never do it later on.
A small hole is drilled into the roofing at each corner and is matched with a protuding screw on the tractor. Small bungies are placed to hold the roof in place. Only the strongest storm will remove the roof from these restraints.
A Freedom Ranger wonders what I am doing, taking all these pictures.

Posted by roosterh at June 20, 2008 9:49 PM

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