Question

Has anyone ever raised a few chickens along with their garden and if so how did it work out for you?
I have been thinking about getting a dozen chicks this spring and building a chicken tractor that I can move around the lawn and also let the chickens out to forage for grubs and bugs in the garden.

Surfpirate 9

Answer 1

I love my chickens! Mine are in a coop, not a tractor, but I let them out into the yard in the daytime. I have 2 Great Pyr in the pasture that any predator has to cross to get to them, so they're pretty safe, although not from hawks. I didn't let them out until they were pretty big so they'd have at least a chance to survive.

They start laying at about 5 months old, and are a joy to watch. I put kitchen scraps in a compost pile, but they know to go scratch around in there.

You've got to keep them out of the garden somehow, although with space and plenty to eat, they don't try too hard to get in there.

Good luck with the project - I've had backyard birds for years and love it.

Answer 2

I have read that Guinea Hens will keep your garden bug free, but I would never have them. They are about as homely as a bird can be and they make a screeching noise that is awful.

Answer 3

Many years ago I did this on a hobby farm. It works great if you've one or two fallow garden beds each year. You'll need a chicken scoop too.

Answer 4

looks like a good idea.


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