60 chickens, two chicken tractors, one acre: Will their waste help or hinder forage growth?

[aart]

Quote: Nope, no evidence...like I said, it's just my opinion. Take it or leave it.

 

[CrazyTalk]

I responded asking for evidence because the phrasing you used "just because it can be done doesn't mean it [should]" strongly implies that the thing being done is believed to be inferior or wrong. It's a strong statement pretending to be "Just an opinion" -it's like asking someone "When did you stop beating your kids?" - the phrasing of the statement/question implies guilt.

It's an argumentative statement and it poisons actual discussion.


Storey's guide recommends 1 sqft per meat bird up until 8 weeks, and 2-3 sqft beyond that.

The University of Minnesota (which has a huge poultry management initiative) recommends that spacing be increased to 1 sqft/bird at 6 weeks, they be kept at that until 10 weeks. At 10+ weeks they should get 2-3 sqft per bird if they do not have access to range, and that one should butcher birds occasionally from that point on as they get larger to free up space.


@cascadechicken - you'll be fine with the birds at that spacing. As to the grass, if you start having problems, either butcher some birds, or start moving the tractors faster. I'd also recommend raking each area after the tractor is moved - to break up the waste. I raise goslings (which grow way faster than chicks) in small tractors, and they do a really good job of trampling down grass and caking everything up. They'll kill the grass if I just leave it, but with a little bit of raking, the grass does fantastic - it's like mulching grass vs just leaving clippings lying in clumps.

It's tough to give you more than that without actually being on the property through a growing season - how much your pasture can handle is something you'll have to learn through experience.

 

[bobbi-j]

I don't really buy into the sq. feet per bird. I'd much rather watch my birds and see how they're doing. If they seem healthy, then let them be. If they start having problems like feather picking or health problems, be prepared to butcher some or give them more space. I personally wouldn't put that many chickens into that size of a space, but that's my opinion. If there is too much nitrogen in the manure, it will burn your grass.