In tractor 24/7

[BigBlueHen53]

You can keep them in the pen 24/7 after they don't need a heat lamp anymore. I move my meat birds to their pasture pens after three weeks in the brooder.

bigbluehen53: I totally understand the concern with the density, but meat birds in pasture pens (aka "chicken tractors") have much different requirements for space. They need less space because they move less, but at the same time, they need to be moved often to keep them off their poop. We raise our freedom rangers in 100sqft pens with 65 birds each. So our density is about 1.5 sqft per bird and that is a much much lower density than alot of production farmers that are using similar pens. They have never seemed crowded to me and 9 times out of 10 we have a very successful batch.

Thank you also for explaining that. I am here to learn so I appreciate you and @RUNuts taking the time.

 

[ChiknforME]

You can keep them in the pen 24/7 after they don't need a heat lamp anymore. I move my meat birds to their pasture pens after three weeks in the brooder.

bigbluehen53: I totally understand the concern with the density, but meat birds in pasture pens (aka "chicken tractors") have much different requirements for space. They need less space because they move less, but at the same time, they need to be moved often to keep them off their poop. We raise our freedom rangers in 100sqft pens with 65 birds each. So our density is about 1.5 sqft per bird and that is a much much lower density than alot of production farmers that are using similar pens. They have never seemed crowded to me and 9 times out of 10 we have a very successful batch.

Thanks!!! So in layman’s terms your tractor dimensions are....10x10? I am thinking of going 12x10. Thanks for putting up with countless questions!

 

[iwltfum]

Thanks!!! So in layman’s terms your tractor dimensions are....10x10? I am thinking of going 12x10. Thanks for putting up with countless questions!

Yep. They are 10'x10' built with 2x2's that I made out of 2x4's split down the middle. I've built a couple different styles of them, but the 10x10 works well for my situation. 12x10 sounds like a pretty big structure to be moving around my hilly pastures, but if you feel your design will be sturdy and light enough, then I would say go for it - the more space the better. Weight is a big factor. A while back, I built a couple pens that were 8x10 out of full width pressure treated 2x4's and I'm still cursing the day I decided to use pressure treated whenever I have to move those things around. They are easily twice as heavy as my 10x10 pens made with untreated 2x2's.

 

[ChiknforME]

Yep. They are 10'x10' built with 2x2's that I made out of 2x4's split down the middle. I've built a couple different styles of them, but the 10x10 works well for my situation. 12x10 sounds like a pretty big structure to be moving around my hilly pastures, but if you feel your design will be sturdy and light enough, then I would say go for it - the more space the better. Weight is a big factor. A while back, I built a couple pens that were 8x10 out of full width pressure treated 2x4's and I'm still cursing the day I decided to use pressure treated whenever I have to move those things around. They are easily twice as heavy as my 10x10 pens made with untreated 2x2's.

I have a fairly level piece of ground picked out for the tractor, I can’t wait to start building the dang thing this wknd! Going to do conduit hoop with woven wire fence and chicken wire. Then hardware cloth around sides at the bottom. Will probably put up elec fence just to ward off nosey critters. My next dilemma is how big of a waterer for 35!?!??

 

[iwltfum]

I have a fairly level piece of ground picked out for the tractor, I can’t wait to start building the dang thing this wknd! Going to do conduit hoop with woven wire fence and chicken wire. Then hardware cloth around sides at the bottom. Will probably put up elec fence just to ward off nosey critters. My next dilemma is how big of a waterer for 35!?!??

Sounds promising! Our batches of 65 broilers go through about 16 gallons a day in the heat of the summer. Hard to imagine one chicken going through more than a quart of water in a day, but they eat so much, they've got to wash it down somehow I guess.

 

[RUNuts]

I have 3 gallon buckets with water nipples and fill them up every other day. 2 buckets for 50 birds. Most have decided to sleep in the heavy 2x4 tractor. Only have 8 in the light weight one.

I have started wetting the feed to increase water intake. Trying to keep free choice going and I'm falling behind.

 

[ChiknforME]

Got my tractor made and birds in!! Ended up making it 8x8 it is pretty dang heavy but we get heavy winds so that’s fine with me!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Got my tractor made and birds in!! Ended up making it 8x8 it is pretty dang heavy but we get heavy winds so that’s fine with me!

Very nice!