Broilers & tractors

[scubaforlife]

go to the library and check out Pastured Poultry Profit, it talks about raising broilers on pasture and the problems with all sorts of terrain.

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

We raise young show chickens in "yard pens" much like what is used for broilers. They are 5' x 8' We move then with an ATV or the ZTR mower. There are hooks on each corner of the pens and we just hook a tug strap to whichever end and move it that way. I say we, oftentimes the teenage boys just drag them by hand, I use gasoline derived horsepower myself.
Just round off the end of the longest structural members that contact the ground and allow 1" of clearance between the ground and the bottom of the short structural members that are also on the bottom. That way the birds can't get a toe caught under it when the cage is moved.

 

[tmiller42]

I have a square 8X8X2 tractor similar to Salatin's also, but I hung an 8' 2"x2" across it's width for roost. They love it, but I also agree it's not necessary. I just figure a happier chicken is a tastier chicken.

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

Quote:
You've got me whipped on experience. I've yet to come up with anything my wife can move by herself that won't blow away in the constant wind. I really wanted to know how much it weighs at the handle. The detail about your daughter moving the smaller one is helpful. I especially like how tall it is and the tarp roof has to help keep it light.

Sorry I came across as being critical.

On the subject, Andy Lee's poultry book has me considering floored range shelters instead of chicken tractors. The wife/kids can easily move fence and the tractor can pull the shelter every 4 weeks or so. I've got to save labor.

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
You've got me whipped on experience. I've yet to come up with anything my wife can move by herself that won't blow away in the constant wind. I really wanted to know how much it weighs at the handle. The detail about your daughter moving the smaller one is helpful. I especially like how tall it is and the tarp roof has to help keep it light.

Sorry I came across as being critical.

On the subject, Andy Lee's poultry book has me considering floored range shelters instead of chicken tractors. The wife/kids can easily move fence and the tractor can pull the shelter every 4 weeks or so. I've got to save labor.

5x8 might weigh 25 lbs. at the handle. She moves 1 side at a time. I just drag it towards me so when I walk in I always have clean ground to walk on. If you really had to, you could put wheels all the way around but may lead to critters getting a paw under then trying to dig under.
It would be alittle pricey but, I always wanted to find a used 4 ft high dog kennel and buy those wheels that come with u-bolts for those heavy tubular gates. Then put a set on each corner to roll the whole kennel across the lawn. but I'm not sure about the space between the ground and the bottom tube of the fence.
don't worry about the critical thing. I'm a Cornish-X guy and have developed thick skin for criticism in the meat bird area.

Will