how many meaties could i pasture in a 4 x 8 chx tractor

[DenverBird]

Thanks - I expect if needed I'll be able to get by with a 3' x 8' tractor until the last month, then may separate out a few and put into a second little tractor.

Any other thoughts or opinions appreciated!

-DB

 

[journey11]

I run 40 Cornish X in a 10x10 tractor. The thing with the Cornish X is that they don't have much desire to move or free range. They just sit around and eat all the time (I go 12 on, 12 hours off with the feed btw, because they will eat 24-7 if you let them and will develop leg problems.) They are processed at such a young age: 6-7 weeks males, 8-9 weeks females, before they have any raging hormones, so they get along extremely well even in such close quarters. The confined space is not filthy or inhumane if you are moving their tractor to fresh grass daily. Believe me...they have no desire to run away! I think tractoring the Cornish X is the best way to go. They poo--a lot!

Freedom Rangers I have not tried, but from what I understand, they are great for pasturing and will free range. They fill out a little slower too.

I think we began with 15 birds when we got started. It's a big process to butcher and can take all day when you're just learning. If you like them well enough, you'll have plenty of time over the summer to start another batch since they fill out so quickly.

 

[Mrs. Mucket]

Last year we had 25 Freedom Rangers in a 4x8' tractor till age 4 weeks or so, then opened one end and used the same tractor as a shelter within a fenced ranging area. They all piled in the tractor at night to sleep but I'm sure they couldn't have grown out inside the tractor. We also had 10 standards and 3 banties the same age in another 4x8' tractor. Same situation, but looking at all 13 in there at night I don't think they'd be comfortable all day. I'd be concerned about pecking and squishing so I probably wouldn't grow out more than 8 or so in it. But that's just me, and I have no experience with CX.

 

[DenverBird]

Mrs. Mucket :

Last year we had 25 Freedom Rangers in a 4x8' tractor till age 4 weeks or so, ............. I'd be concerned about pecking and squishing so I probably wouldn't grow out more than 8 or so in it. But that's just me, and I have no experience with CX.

Thanks - I've got Freedom Rangers, and appreciate your first hand experience with them.

-DB​

 

[Liamm_1]

Quote:
This seems pretty cramped and makes me think he's letting them out for a lot of the day. Any comments?

If you need to decrease the width, how about 3x10 or 3x12 or something?
I've thought about using the front yard too lol. My layers are in the backyard keeping the grass down. Now I wish the front yard was fenced in too, so they could do their job there. Then again, it's nice keeping the poop confined to just the backyard. But, in a tractor, at least you're keeping the poop off the walkways...

 

[terri9630]

We had 20 in a 4x8 tractor. We moved it twice a day for the last couple of weeks but they never pecked or looked crowded. Well they looked crowded but it was their own doing. They would all just pile up together and leave half the tractor empty. We tried leaving the tractor door open but they wouldn't leave it. Even when the dogs went in to.. um... clean the floor. The just sat there and looked at them so we just closed it up to keep the dogs from laying in there too.

 

[Mrs. Mucket]

Quote:
Terri, our dogs won't leave it alone either! Grosses me out. It took us a while to figure out why some nights they didn't want any dog food.

 

[Bossroo]

Mrs. Mucket :

Quote:
Terri, our dogs won't leave it alone either! Grosses me out. It took us a while to figure out why some nights they didn't want any dog food.

What dog wants to eat that same old dry stuff from an old paper bag, when it has fresh, moist,warm, predigested, and loaded with yummy enzymes and probiotics available to slurp up and to roll in as well just laying on the ground?​

 

[Mrs. Mucket]

Quote:
Terri, our dogs won't leave it alone either! Grosses me out. It took us a while to figure out why some nights they didn't want any dog food.

What dog wants to eat that same old dry stuff from an old paper bag, when it has fresh, moist,warm, predigested, and loaded with yummy enzymes and probiotics available to slurp up and to roll in as well just laying on the ground?

Bossroo, I feel so much better now knowing my dogs are getting probiotics and enzymes--I really never thought of it that way! LOL it's still gross though.

 

[terri9630]

Quote:
Terri, our dogs won't leave it alone either! Grosses me out. It took us a while to figure out why some nights they didn't want any dog food.

What dog wants to eat that same old dry stuff from an old paper bag, when it has fresh, moist,warm, predigested, and loaded with yummy enzymes and probiotics available to slurp up and to roll in as well just laying on the ground?

It's still gross. I never have to worry about a poo build up though.