The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[SeattleSelkie]

I built a tractor this past spring in order to use my chickens within my garden. It fits the width of my standard garden beds, and I added an electric fence to increase the area as needed. I am so far very happy with the results.

I had a large fallow bed that I wanted to ready for my garlic this fall. It needed to be amended as well as de-weeded. I piled composted leaves and garden compost the length of the bed. I also brought in buckets of kelp/seaweed, which since I live on an island is easy to collect. All that took me a day. Then I put my chickens on it.

Here is the tractor placed on the bed before I put up the electric fence.



Here are the chickens getting to work on tilling in the amendments and de-weeding. Because I was going to be leaving them in this setup for awhile, I gave them some grass as well as the garden bed.





Here is the garden bed a month later. All I had to do was rake dirt to smooth it out and create my planting strip down the middle.



The chickens have tilled it to a lovely consistency and it is ready for me to plant my garlic.



This new approach to gardening is fitting with my increased desire to be kinder to my soil (we used to use a mechanical tiller) as well as my aging body. It is nice to have these guys as partners.

The chickens are now on their new fallow bed and enjoying the turnip greens and fresh grass.

 

[JulesChicks]

Oh my gosh Selkie, I love that! You have a tractor similar to one we built. We need to make some tweaks to ours - I like your attached nest boxes and larger wheels, and you covered yours a little more, which we need to do. Ours is 10x4, so it looks similar in design and style to yours. And I love seeing your birds which are related to my Ams and Wellies. Your cockerel looks so nice! Are your girls laying yet? Mine aren't

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good use of those chickens, and very nice looking chicken, what kind of rooster, obviously I'm a fan of roosters.

 

[lalaland]

Seattleselkie, welcome! (if you posted here before, forgive me, I didn't remember your name). Love the byc name, and how lucky to live on an island!

Do you have pics of your tractor from the side? Funny, I just planted garlic yesterday with the chickens help too!

 

[mlowen]

Welcome, seattleselkie! My favorite folk song is The Great Selkie of Sule Skerry. Great tractor and chicken-partnering.

 

[JanetMarie]

@SeattleSelkie Wow! Very nice. Thanks for posting.

 

[beginnergirl]

I had a large fallow bed that I wanted to ready for my garlic this fall. It needed to be amended as well as de-weeded. I piled composted leaves and garden compost the length of the bed. I also brought in buckets of kelp/seaweed, which since I live on an island is easy to collect. All that took me a day. Then I put my chickens on it. The chickens have tilled it to a lovely consistency and it is ready for me to plant my garlic.

Wondering if you grind or chop seaweed before placing it in the bed? Looks like I will make a trip to the beach! Do you worry about snails on the seaweed or do the chickens take care of them? Thanks.

 

[EastNashChick]

I built a tractor this past spring in order to use my chickens within my garden. It fits the width of my standard garden beds, and I added an electric fence to increase the area as needed. I am so far very happy with the results. I had a large fallow bed that I wanted to ready for my garlic this fall. It needed to be amended as well as de-weeded. I piled composted leaves and garden compost the length of the bed. I also brought in buckets of kelp/seaweed, which since I live on an island is easy to collect. All that took me a day. Then I put my chickens on it. Here is the tractor placed on the bed before I put up the electric fence. Here are the chickens getting to work on tilling in the amendments and de-weeding. Because I was going to be leaving them in this setup for awhile, I gave them some grass as well as the garden bed. Here is the garden bed a month later. All I had to do was rake dirt to smooth it out and create my planting strip down the middle. The chickens have tilled it to a lovely consistency and it is ready for me to plant my garlic. This new approach to gardening is fitting with my increased desire to be kinder to my soil (we used to use a mechanical tiller) as well as my aging body. It is nice to have these guys as partners. The chickens are now on their new fallow bed and enjoying the turnip greens and fresh grass.

I'd love to see more details and know more about your tractor!

 

[Attila the Hen]

I love your set up. Your chickens and fruit trees look so healthy. I've about given up since I live in a forest with no sunlight. Refuse to cut down trees plus they provide protection for the flock. I do have 2 raised beds that everyone loves to tear up. There's nothing growing in it now so I put my kitchen scraps and treats directly into the bed. I have to supplement greens because I have no grass.
thanks for sharing

 

[Leahs Mom]

@SeattleSelkie

Wonderful!!!!

Whenever I see folks doing the garden thing, I can't resist posting the chicken tunnel man video

I know most of us have seen this, but for those that haven't...

@mlowen

You better post some photos of your tunnels again... inspiration for the newer folks!!!!