The start of my chicken tractor

[MonsterClucker]

I'm amazed how big they are! I've gotta get some broiler booster. My heaviest chick is having leg issues already. He barley walks around and wobbles with a wing stretched out. I'm just hoping he dosent croak before its time. But he's the only one. Everyone else runs and flys around. I just moved their coop too a bigger shadier grassier part if the property. So they have about 3x the amount of playing room. It was 4 weeks the 11th for them. I just got my chicks today I ordered a few weeks back. 25x meaties 15x buff Brahmas. So its a full house.

Are you gonna do another batch? When are you planning to process them?

 

[chicken pickin]

I havent decided on whether or not ill do another batch. This is our first so I will decide once we make it to the end process. And Im hoping to make it to 8 weeks so I was planning on doing it the weekend of sept 8-9. Though I know some may be ready sooner. Im so not ready for the processing part of this. I have no tools no freezer and im pretty nervous.I need to gather all the stuff I need this weekend so I am prepared just in case any need to go sooner than 8 weeks.

 

[JoshU]

I havent decided on whether or not ill do another batch. This is our first so I will decide once we make it to the end process. And Im hoping to make it to 8 weeks so I was planning on doing it the weekend of sept 8-9. Though I know some may be ready sooner. Im so not ready for the processing part of this. I have no tools no freezer and im pretty nervous.I need to gather all the stuff I need this weekend so I am prepared just in case any need to go sooner than 8 weeks.

Here is what I did......My mom has a camping double burner propane stove. Put a 12 gallon oval steel planting pale over it. And we would do two birds at a time. 2 people plucking each bird. One person butchering and ice bathing. Took 6 hours to do 17 birds from first kill to cleaned up and packed. I got freezer paper, foil, and gallon bags. A 6-7 pound bird fits perfectly into a gallon bag. Hand plucking sucks but its just labor no costs.

 

[JoshU]

This is what I made and used for mine. It worked perfect for them at 3 weeks on. Just moved it once a day for 5 weeks. That area is the greenest of my property and I butchered on fathers day.If you build a tractor right it will last you for a long time. These were true pastured broilers and they tasted great!

 

[chicken pickin]

JoshU thank you for the info.

Here are my CXs updated pics from today at 5 weeks old


















Sorry I get pic happy lol

The bottom pic shows what the ground looks like after we move the tractor

 

[JoshU]

JoshU thank you for the info.

Here are my CXs updated pics from today at 5 weeks old


















Sorry I get pic happy lol

The bottom pic shows what the ground looks like after we move the tractor

Yep I know that sight well. But after a day or 2 its dried and disapearing. And fertilizing.

 

[chicken pickin]

Just incase anyone is following this thread here is an update of my CX now 6weeks and 1day. They are growing out real nice they are doing good growing huge and are still super healthy. I plan to process this weekend. So I may update pics this sat of them live and then maybe add pics after process. Ill also try to weigh them and give weights if anyone is interested.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Very healthy looking chickens.
Good luck on the processing. Would love to hear your results.
Get a picture or two of your proecessing station also while you are at it, I am always looking for ideas.

 

[MonsterClucker]

Im still watching!! Can't wait to see how your birds and the processing come out! Good luck!

 

[chicken pickin]

So today is the day. We just finished setting up our station and the water is on its way to a boil. We are waiting for our kids to get picked up for they day and then we begin. I am nervous. So please wish me luck and I will be back on later tonight or tomorrow to share my experience and some pics.