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Chicken tractor question

post #1 of 14
5/10/12 at 9:03am
Thread Starter 

Hello all,

First time poster, non-chicken owner with chickens in my future. 

 

So I'm still deciding if I want a chicken tractor or a permanent coop/run setup.  One thing I'm wondering is how quickly the girls will destroy the grass under their movable run?  I plan on starting with 6 chicks and if I make the run size the min  suggested space per chicken(don't know the numbers but have seen them somewhere), how long till the grass inside the run looks like crap?

 

We plan to have a "home base" for the tractor and also  move it around the yard and gardens.  When we park it on a nice grassy section of the yard will we have to move it in hours/days/weeks to keep the grass looking nice after moving the girls to another location?  Let's assume that I throw nothing "extra"in the run with them when put on the nice grass to make it easy.

 

thanks

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post #2 of 14
5/10/12 at 9:18am

Just my experience, your mileage may differ based on your tractor driving skills.  The area under my tractor gets destroyed in less than a week.  I do not have a "deep, lush lawn" in my backyard, but what grass is there is down to the root in less than a week.  In 2 weeks they've started digging dusting holes.  I suspect any "home base" will be a bare spot that the tractor gets returned to after moving temporarily to greener pastures.  I have 8 hens in a 4 by 16 foot run, and they free range a good part of each day.  You may want to consider a portable run, or let them free range if your back yard is enclosed with a 6 foot fence (mine is).

 

HTH!

Gifts:

A precious wife, and four boys.

Son 1, AF Acad aeronautical engr, F15C fighter pilot, now private firm in design.

Son 2, Westpoint, medical school, in residency at Madigan Army Med Center.

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Gifts:

A precious wife, and four boys.

Son 1, AF Acad aeronautical engr, F15C fighter pilot, now private firm in design.

Son 2, Westpoint, medical school, in residency at Madigan Army Med Center.

Son 3, Westpoint, artillery officer, 1 tour in Iraq, and many awards.

Son 4, Freshman St Mary's Univ. Elect Engr, 4 yr Army ROTC and matching school scholarships

Micah 6:8

 

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post #3 of 14
5/10/12 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tweakster View Post

Just my experience, your mileage may differ based on your tractor driving skills.  The area under my tractor gets destroyed in less than a week.  I do not have a "deep, lush lawn" in my backyard, but what grass is there is down to the root in less than a week.  In 2 weeks they've started digging dusting holes.  I suspect any "home base" will be a bare spot that the tractor gets returned to after moving temporarily to greener pastures.  I have 8 hens in a 4 by 16 foot run, and they free range a good part of each day.  You may want to consider a portable run, or let them free range if your back yard is enclosed with a 6 foot fence (mine is).

 

HTH!


Yes, we also assumed that the "home base" location would be permanently cleared by the girls.  That's why we were wondering how long they could have another location without trashing it.  We have some nice grass and are worried about the scratching/eating as well as the burning from the poop.

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post #4 of 14
5/10/12 at 11:10am

I'm not a chicken expert, but we have 5 RIRs in a chicken ark right now. We have to move it at least every 2-3 days if they are stuck inside; it can stay in place for a week or more if we are able to free range them daily (we do so when we are at home and able to chase them out of the neighbor's garden).

 

Hope that helps.
 

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post #5 of 14
5/10/12 at 4:05pm

I think this depends on a bunch of factors.  The season, the weather, the lawn, the number/kind of chickens, the size of your run.  You won't know for sure until you try it.

 

But, since people ask this from time to time, I took some photos of my particular situation.  If the photos scare you, you might want to consider skipping the tractor idea wink.png

 

Here's a link:  http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/tractor-vs-lawn

2 backyard birds since Spring 2011:  Tetra Tint and Amber Link

2 new chicks in March 2013: Buff Orpington and Americauna

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2 backyard birds since Spring 2011:  Tetra Tint and Amber Link

2 new chicks in March 2013: Buff Orpington and Americauna

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post #6 of 14
5/11/12 at 9:02am
Thread Starter 

suzy,

Thanks for the link to your post. 

 

Yeah that is kind of scary, but not too bad.  Doesn't look like permanent damage as long as you keep moving it.  With the results you have I think we would only leave it for a day or less in any one location.  I also have a bunch of raised garden beds that I will be considering when designing the coop/run, I'd love to be able to park the thing right on a garden in the off season and let them go to town on it for several days at a time

 

Due to future travel plans we don't expect to get chickens till spring of 2014, I dont' know if I'm going to make it till then...........
 

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post #7 of 14
5/12/12 at 11:57am

We just built a small ark/tractorand with only 3 hens and after about 3 days you have to move it or the grass underneath starts to look bad. I think the lack of sun plus the hens foraging beats the lawn up. I have been letting them free range the back yard to keep the damage to a minimum and keep the hens happy and healthy

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post #8 of 14
5/12/12 at 12:01pm

I move mine about every two days. They do cause a bit of temp damage but on the other hand are really fertilizing as they go .. Chickens truly do love to dig in the dirt roll around keep mites at bay .. and to cool off .. but if you love your grass I would move often.

I have about 20 Mature Hens and Roosters Different Breeds (RIR's, EE's, OEGB, Buff Orp.'s)  and approximately 60 Chicks different ages and a large variety adding more constantly (Jersey Giants, Black Australorp, White leghorn, Buff Orps.'s RIR and mixed bred), Three Dogs One Pure Bread Doxie two mixed Breeds, 4 Ducks (2 white Peking, One Muscovy, One mixed breed)2 baby Mallard chicks , 2...

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I have about 20 Mature Hens and Roosters Different Breeds (RIR's, EE's, OEGB, Buff Orp.'s)  and approximately 60 Chicks different ages and a large variety adding more constantly (Jersey Giants, Black Australorp, White leghorn, Buff Orps.'s RIR and mixed bred), Three Dogs One Pure Bread Doxie two mixed Breeds, 4 Ducks (2 white Peking, One Muscovy, One mixed breed)2 baby Mallard chicks , 2...

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post #9 of 14
5/12/12 at 12:29pm

coop inside.jpghere are some pics of my ark it measures 5' wide at the base  is about 5'6" tall and 6' long. The white boards on the inside come ou for easy cleaning and additional airflow during the summer.coopfront.jpgcoop outside.jpg

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post #10 of 14
5/12/12 at 1:06pm

Where is the walk up? It will be a trick to get them up thru the hole, especially where the hole is placed with out a walk up...

 

Otherwise, it is really really nice.

At the very least, wipe the poop off your feet before getting in the car.

"Member of the Derperella Club-- We're just all goin' round' the rooster, here!"
Good night sweet Trousers, The Derp Club will miss you.
Treasure the love you recieve above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished. Og Mandino
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At the very least, wipe the poop off your feet before getting in the car.

"Member of the Derperella Club-- We're just all goin' round' the rooster, here!"
Good night sweet Trousers, The Derp Club will miss you.
Treasure the love you recieve above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished. Og Mandino
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