Hey folks, first time here.
My family and I got started on our first flock of 16 birds this spring and I’ve had the idea of meat birds ever since.
I have them fenced in a 120x85 ft run with about half thick trees/forest and the other half open “pasture” with an enclosed 4x8 coop. The run is huge and I’d like to both add more layers and meat birds to keep the vegetation down and have all the benefits of meat.
My dilemma: i want to raise 25 meat birds (looking at Cornish cross) , but I work away from home a lot in the summer and don’t want my wife dragging a chicken tractor around and having to water and feed every evening. Adding to this, our run is sloped and heavily vegetated. I’d be willing to do the tractor, but wouldn’t be able to October or nov.
So I’m thinking of options and want everyones opinion.
Option 1: Start the meat birds now and fence in a separate run about 25x25 inside the run for the meaties. Add another coop or shelter for them. Would I have to scrape poop all the time ? Any less maintenance than a tractor ?
Option 2: use a chicken tractor for the birds but wait till late fall/early winter when I’m home more. We live in east TN and our winters are wet but pretty mild if this helps.
I’d love to have y’all’s opinion on this. I really appreciate it.
My family and I got started on our first flock of 16 birds this spring and I’ve had the idea of meat birds ever since.
I have them fenced in a 120x85 ft run with about half thick trees/forest and the other half open “pasture” with an enclosed 4x8 coop. The run is huge and I’d like to both add more layers and meat birds to keep the vegetation down and have all the benefits of meat.
My dilemma: i want to raise 25 meat birds (looking at Cornish cross) , but I work away from home a lot in the summer and don’t want my wife dragging a chicken tractor around and having to water and feed every evening. Adding to this, our run is sloped and heavily vegetated. I’d be willing to do the tractor, but wouldn’t be able to October or nov.
So I’m thinking of options and want everyones opinion.
Option 1: Start the meat birds now and fence in a separate run about 25x25 inside the run for the meaties. Add another coop or shelter for them. Would I have to scrape poop all the time ? Any less maintenance than a tractor ?
Option 2: use a chicken tractor for the birds but wait till late fall/early winter when I’m home more. We live in east TN and our winters are wet but pretty mild if this helps.
I’d love to have y’all’s opinion on this. I really appreciate it.