Leaving them overnight in the chicken tractor

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trulyblessed

trulyblessed

In the Brooder
8 Years
Jun 4, 2011
56
0
39
We just built a chicken tractor for our meaties. This is our first batch ever. They are almost 3 weeks old and mostly feathered. We have been taking them outside in the chicken tractor during the day so they can forage around and get fresh air then bringing them back into the house to their brooder at night. We are going to build a little hut inside their tractor for them to get shelter and a cozy spot to sleep in. When do you think we can keep them in there all day/night? We would turn on a heat light if it was going to be cold at night.
 
I would say it depends on how cold it gets. Ours always go out into the tractor at 3wks but it doesn't get very cold here.
 
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Welcome to the forum
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Where do you live? What are your temps?
 
Thanks for the welcome! I love this forum so far, so much information. I live in Michigan. It's been pretty hot during the days now (around 75-85 degrees) and a little cooler at night.
 
Quote:
It's a nice chart for layers, but doesn't come close for meaties. They are butchered by the time the chart says they can be outside full time. The growth rate of meaties (Cornish X's) is much faster than that of layers. I put my meaties out to stay at between 3 and 5 weeks depending on weather.
 
We moved our meaties into tractors at three weeks, and that was 7 weeks ago. At that time we had a number of mornings in the mid twenties. If your lows are in the high 30's+, move them out. You will be amazed at how they thrive once you get them outside day and night.

You don't say how many, but all they need is a secure place to get out of the wind and rain, plus food and water. That's it. For my 8x8 tractors, a full half on the tractor is covered, top and sides. They don't need a coop, or anything with a floor. They need to be on grass, and somewhat exposed to the elements.

These are not pet birds. Treat them well, but rememeber what the goal is. They don't give you food as a byproduct. They are the food.
 
Ours went out when they were ~12 days old (Tuesday 5/31/2011). This morning I woke up to 54 degrees. Everyone was happy and healthy and waiting for the food. I have 49 of the in our tractor. At night when I close up the layers, I throw a tarp over the tractor.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have 20 of them. DH built the tractor 6X12 and is going to put shrink wrap on 1/2 of the top to protect them from the sun. I wish I could post a picture, but I guess you can't when you're new for a bit.

Oh, I do have another question.....do mosquitos bother them? They are really bad around here and I was worried about them being bitten alive out there.
 
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