Moving batch 1 & batch 2 meat chickens!!

It is a big deal getting these meat chickens on pasture.

First of all they have more room to grow.

They get to eat fresh grass and insects if they choose too.

And finally they get fresh bedding to lay down in.

It's a win win for them.

Let the work begin for us with the every day moving 8 tractors and raising up and down feeders to them.

This is what we call our busy season. 

Raising the meat chickens from start to finish.

We brought one by one each tractor in for any repairs.

We added chicken wire for any that didn't have it.

Repainted tractor numbers on the front of them.

Stapled any loose hardware cloth.

Zipped tied chicken wire to the poles that needed them.

Put carpet on the outside so the tarp doesn't rub on the wire.

Bolted poles together vs. zipped tied.

Added latches to the inside.

Added a board on the back for better support for the hanging waterers.

We then hung feeder, waters, hung pan for gravel grit and put the tarp on.

Now we just need to add the chickens.

Seven more tractors to go!!!!!!

Lining each tractor up as we go.

We carried them out 20 at a time into each tractor.

Double checking our numbers as we went.

They are exploring their new living quarters.

It's not only exciting for them it is for us too.

Letting them do what comes naturally. Roaming around in the grass.

One tractor

at a time.

Including the 2nd batch of meat chickens.

Carry one tote at a time

Until all the meat chickens are spread out evenly in each tractor.

We even had one tractor to put the new laying hens in.

We had to use a cage to transfer them in. They are at the age where they are flying now.

16 Barred Rock

and 

5 Easter Eggers

1 I have no idea yet what it is??

I love how you order a certain amount and I am fine with sending an extra one or two of the exact same kind. But this company sent one of a different kind. So now I really don't know what I have. They even sent me 5 extra ones with our meat chickens. Don't know what kind they are either. Thanks to a friend of mine for taking them to her farm.

Every night the tractors get moved, feed added to feeder, water bucket refilled and gravel grit if they need it. We roll the feeder up so they are 12ish hours on feed and 12ish hours off of feed. It just helps them to not grow too fast before butchering them. Also we don't want them to grow too fast and can't walk.

It took us 2 weeks in a row to get all the tractors ready and meat chickens moved.

We are so glad we took the time to do it all right with the repairs and setup.

Only 7 tractors shown, trust me there is a total of 8 and they are all full.

With little nice days, lots of  cold days and rainy days I just didn't get the last tractor in the picture.

Now we just watch them grow until butcher date.