Chicken Tractor

We saw a picture and measurements of this chicken tractor in a New Zealand Gardener magazine 2015. So Glenn made it. We have had chickens before, in a large outside cage with no roof, but because of falcons in our area, we lost nearly all of them. Falcons have no fear of anything. They swoop down into the cage, stand on the chicken and rip their heads off. How bad is that!. So having a cage that protects the chickens, and one that can be moved around on wheels so they can eat fresh grass is a pretty good option.

Feeding your chickens.

Mash or Pellets

A good quality feed should have a list of ingredients and what percentage of protein, ash, fibre, oils and vitamins it contains. Buy GM-free and organic. Some feed comes with added grit or oyster shell (source of calcium). If not, this is something you need to include.

Hens tend not to be greedy birds so you will be able to gauge how much feed they need.

Grit

 Hens require grit to help their digestive system. Grit is stored in the gizzard and helps grind break down the food they consume.

Treats

Too many treats can cause your hens to be overweight and will affect their laying. They need to eat their mash or pellets first so they get their full essential nutrients.

Green Leafy vegetables - this helps with the colour of the yolk.

Sweetcorn

Fruit

Pasta and rice

Cooked potatoes - never raw

Cheese

Porridge

Chopped peanuts

Do not feed them meat and fish scraps as this can be a risk of salmonella in the egg.

I gave in and let the chickens out late morning. After their egg laying, although I am on the look out for those Falcons. 

Change of plan - for the chicken's

I decided the chicken tractor was a bit small for 4 chickens. So Glenn has made a new house for them and I bought 45 metres of chicken netting and have made a run for them in a sunny place and where I can watch them from my kitchen. It has a gate and just inside is a bin with their wheat in it. I don't even have to go in the run to get the eggs, I just lean over the netting and open the lid.

I do however let them out every day, which they love. 

Next is to buy a feeder that the wild bird's can't get into, I am sure most of the laying wheat is eaten by them. So far I have not seen any Falcons.

I forgot to mention, Glenn has put opening vents on the side of the house for summer and did I tell you I get 4 eggs a day even in -5 degrees. These chickens are awesome.