Easier way to weed the garden?

[Iplayfarmer]

Just be sure you don't try to move/pull faster than your chickens can walk/run. Chickens are not very smart (mine weren't). I pulled the cage, they stood there. Couple got broke legs (they didn't know they were supposed to move).

Been There...Done That...

I actually made the chicken tractor last summer, and we tried it out toward the end of the year. I didn't break any drumsticks, but I did skin up a few toes.

By the time we got the tractor out on the garden, the weeds were too big. The chickens would eat the leaves off, but leave the stem. I'm hoping that if we get them out on the garden early this year, they'll keep up.

 

[BTDT]

Been There...Done That...

I actually made the chicken tractor last summer, and we tried it out toward the end of the year. I didn't break any drumsticks, but I did skin up a few toes.

By the time we got the tractor out on the garden, the weeds were too big. The chickens would eat the leaves off, but leave the stem. I'm hoping that if we get them out on the garden early this year, they'll keep up.

Here's a pic of the one I made. A little large maybe, but as you can see from the weeds, it hasn't been used much. A smaller, lighter weight, narrower one may work, but I kind of abandoned the idea for now.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Since we're sharing pictures, I'll post mine.

I had plenty of weeds up around mine until yesterday when I finally got around to planting the garden. I drug the chicken tractor out to measure the needed distance between rows.

I didn't plant all of the rows that far apart, but I planned for "aisles" between sections of the garden to use the chicken tractor.

 

[BTDT]

Do you move yours by hand, pull with lawn mower/tractor? How many chickens are you going to put in there? Nice looking setup, I like the wheels, that would make it a lot easier to move (as long as the ground is not too soft/muddy).

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Do you move yours by hand, pull with lawn mower/tractor? How many chickens are you going to put in there? Nice looking setup, I like the wheels, that would make it a lot easier to move (as long as the ground is not too soft/muddy).

I just move it by hand. The wheels are a great idea, but I need to put them a little lower. I'm also going to add some Wheelbarrow type handles on the end opposite the wheels to give me something to hang on to while I'm moving it. Another trick I've done with mine that might interest you is that I ran a 1" X 2" stringer down the middle of the trusses so that I can hang a waterer and supplemental feed from it. Then I can just pick up the one end and move the whole thing without having to scoot the feed and water along as I go.

My wife has 4 Auracana chickens that we are going to put in there. Hopefully getting them away from the Rhode Island Reds will allow their plumage to come back.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

not to mention they trample and/or weed out the veggies...

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

seriously, I use a MANTIS. works great as long as you have picked out all the big rocks.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I can't resist adding a postlogue to this discussion in light of recent developments with the Chicken Tractor idea.

A few days ago, there was a magpie caught in the chicken tractor. I opened the door and let it out. Then, yesterday, there were two in there. I decided that if they figured out how to get in there, they'd have to figure out how to get out. Today after work, a full 24 hours later, they were both still in there and there was a whole flock of magpies crowded around it.

I finally gave in to sympathy and opened the door to let them out, but not without taking some pictures first.

I'm not sure why they are getting in, but it sure makes me laugh.