Meat bird question

[Storms73]

Question is it really necessary to have a chicken tractor for meat birds? I’ve never processed before, but I want to learn, but somebody said I actually have to have a chicken tractor

 

[MysteryChicken]

Question is it really necessary to have a chicken tractor for meat birds? I’ve never processed before, but I want to learn, but somebody said I actually have to have a chicken tractor

I think Chicken Tractor is more of a personal choice for most cuz it's mobile. Some free range them, other's raise them in one large area.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Question is it really necessary to have a chicken tractor for meat birds? I’ve never processed before, but I want to learn, but somebody said I actually have to have a chicken tractor

There are many different ways you can raise meat chickens. A tractor is only one way.

 

[Tex452]

No you don’t need a tractor, when we raised them in a closed pen for showing in the county fair, we would keep them moving.

 

[Storms73]

I think Chicken Tractor is more of a personal choice for most cuz it's mobile. Some free range them, other's raise them in one large area.

That’s what I thought but had to be sure

 

[Morrigan]

I live on a sloped, rocky lot where tractors are not possible. I've raised meat birds using an old shed for them to sleep in and a fenced yard in the daytime. I've also raised small numbers (4 to 6) meat birds mixed in with my regular heritage flock. They are still chickens and can be raised as such.

 

[Mountain Roost]

Tractor are not required. But the reason so many people opt for that route is the shear amount of manure that the broilers produce. They eat a ton and poo a ton. Leaving the meat in its own poo is not appetizing.

Another common reason is for protection. Broilers are sitting ducks (no offense duckies!) and benefit from some extra protection during the day when they just want to lay around with a full belly (crop).

Perhaps keeping a small amount of broilers for your first go would allow you to create a space for them that suits your needs and environment.

 

[Tex452]

Tractor are not required. But the reason so many people opt for that route is the shear amount of manure that the broilers produce. They eat a ton and poo a ton. Leaving the meat in its own poo is not appetizing.

Another common reason is for protection. Broilers are sitting ducks (no offense duckies!) and benefit from some extra protection during the day when they just want to lay around with a full belly (crop).

Perhaps keeping a small amount of broilers for your first go would allow you to create a space for them that suits your needs and environment.

We would have a 5” bedding of shavings that we would stir until it was time to replace them.

 

[Mountain Roost]

Tractors certainly take up space. I do 100 Cornish-X in 4 tractors. They are fed and pulled onto clean and green grass twice a day. I pull them with a winch on the back of a lawn tractor.