Chicks getting run over while moving tractor!

[gettinaclue]

I don't have a chicken tractor yet, but will be building one for spring meat chickens.

My plans now are to put some welded wire on the bottom. Let's the grass in for the chickens to eat. Keeps predators out and should be able to move.

It shouldn't add that much weight to it...depending on the size of the tractor.

 

[Zahboo]

It sounds like you are moving the tractor way too quickly. Move it slowly and have somone shooing the birds forward.

 

[Zahboo]

Quote:
You didn't stick chickens with broke legs in with the others did you? They'll be picked on if they are weaker, which with a broke leg they are.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

I think I remember in Joel Salatin's book that he had that problem in the beginning and he said he mounted stiff bristles from a broom on the back to shoo them forward when the tractor was moved.

 

[5acrehome]

no the birds that were damaged where culled I was none to happy about this learning curve. I will try the broom bristles that just might work. I still have to figure out how to place wheels on the piece without lifting it so high up they can get out.

 

[5acrehome]

problem solved removed the skids and made a lever action caster setup. the caster is bolted on a piece of flat stock steel which is bolted to the 2x4 base. gives it a 2" lift from the ground when all four wheels are down. The chicks can get under the sides but they don't because the grass covers the gap while it's up. also I didn't have to use the garden tractor to pull it with the wheels down and it could be moved with one hand. I think the first go round they were so scared of the garden tractor that was why they ran to the dragging edge I only had to stop for a couple of seconds to shoo one bird this time with just me pushing the chicken tractor. I will have to beef up the wheel stock though they almost buckled when i went through a dip in the yard. Thanks for all the input and I still intend to install that sweep on the drag to see if the sound urges them forward.