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.
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.
@Allamanda Anything that kills ticks would be a favourite with my wife, she is phobic about deer ticks and Lyme disease.
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.
Posted by FrostyJim...I have enough room for a few good people.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by FernappleIts that season again, blue sky and golden leaves, nature is the greatest designer, a Ginkgo in my garden. Also posted in photography.
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimMoose family munchin' on my Raspberries right now at about 8:30 on Tuesday night!
Posted by FrostyJim3 giants total over 3 lbs! Bush Early Girl hybrid grown in my Wasilla Alaska zone 4b greenhouse...
Posted by FrostyJim.