Maya checking over her new herd.
Little brown and red ones are layers, the whitish yellow ones are meat birds.
Chick delivery day snuck up on us this year. In a last minute brainstorm, we decided to brood them in our horse trailer! Very convenient as it is predator proof, rain proof, and with a little sealing of the cracks, wind proof. Also easy ventilation with the swinging barn style doors! The chicks seem to approve.
We will be trying the meat birds on chicken tractors (large pens moved daily) in the pasture this year (following the horses) to see if it fits with our farm. The pasture rotation for the birds gives them grass and wild forage, including insects and worms, and some much needed exercise. It also prevents manure pollution as the chickens will spread it for us on the pasture at a rate that can be taken up and used by the grass.
The laying hens will go in the same style of pen for the summer months, then likely into the seedling greenhouse for the winter.
Ain't farming fun?
