The Chicken Tractor Revolution: Embracing Pasture-Raised Poultry on Our Homestead
Humble Beginnings: Our Initial Poultry Venture
Many moons ago, when we first embarked on our homesteading journey, our poultry setup was relatively simple. We started with dual-purpose birds, along with a couple of ducks and two turkeys.
Our homestead was a lively place buzzing with activity and, admittedly, a few feathers. We got our fair share of eggs and even dabbled with meat production. But we quickly realized there was more we wanted to do, more we could do.
A Search for Better Practices: Our Introduction to Chicken Tractors
Around the same time, we began to read about the commercial farming industry's darker aspects. The image of crowded barns, unhappy birds, and unnatural diets didn’t sit well with us. It stood against everything we were trying to accomplish on our homestead. We knew there had to be a better way. We wanted to produce our meat, knowing that the animals had a good life, free to roam and forage as nature intended.
It was during this quest for a more humane approach that we stumbled upon the brilliant work of John Suscovich and his ingenious Pasture Raised Poultry Chicken Tractor. John's work opened our eyes to the incredible potential of pasture-raised poultry. His detailed guide, brimming with thoughtful advice and crystal-clear instructions, provided the blueprint for a project that would forever change our homesteading direction. He has a great series of videos on YouTube to check out and learn more information about his process.
Constructing the Dream: Our Experience Building the Chicken Tractor
We remember clearly the day we decided to build our first chicken tractor. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement as we gathered the necessary materials. We followed John's guide like a sacred text, each instruction bringing us closer to our goal.
Constructing the tractor was a testament to our dedication to sustainable farming. We savored every step of the process, even the inevitable struggle with the chicken wire. Once complete, the tractor stood as a symbol of our commitment to this new path.
The Joy of Discovery: Exploring Breeding and the Magic of the Chicken Tractor
Over time, the chicken tractor has housed various members of our poultry family, each experiencing the benefits of the grassy buffet and spacious living conditions it provided. We found particular joy in observing the interactions of specific roosters and hens we’d placed together for targeted breeding. One of our most fascinating projects involved crossing the mysterious Ayam Cimanis with the reliable White Leghorns. It was a thrilling combination of genetic science and poultry matchmaking, the results of which will undoubtedly grace a future blog post.
Expansion and Innovation: Growing our Poultry Family and Returning to Meat Birds
Fast forward to today, and our poultry population has grown significantly. We’ve taken in more ducks and turkeys and expanded our egg-laying flock with a new and lively group of White Leghorns.
Most exciting of all, we've reintroduced Jumbo Cornish Rock Crosses. After a brief hiatus, we're back to producing our meat, and this time, they are being raised in the best possible conditions - in the chicken tractor, amidst the splendor of our front and side yards.
Daily Life on the Homestead: A Glimpse into the Day-to-Day Operations
Our daily routine now includes the delightful task of moving the chicken tractor to a fresh patch of land. It's a joy to watch the chickens eagerly forage the new grassy buffet before them. Despite their infamous reputation for being lazy, our Cornish Crosses show a delightful enthusiasm for exploring their changing environment. We've added an extra layer of safety with a solar-powered electric fence. It's an additional chore, but the peace of mind it provides is priceless.
Reflecting on the Journey: The Impact of the Chicken Tractor
Through the window of our cozy home, we watch our birds enjoy their fresh pasture, and the sight warms our hearts. Our Cornish Crosses are looking healthier and happier every day. As harvest day approaches, we anticipate the time when our freezer will be filled with delicious, ethically raised meat.
Our experience with the chicken tractor has gone beyond our initial expectations. It's taught us invaluable lessons about sustainable farming, animal husbandry, and self-sufficiency. More importantly, it has deepened our connection with the land and the creatures we share it with.
On the Horizon: Future Projects and Aspirations
The chicken tractor has also paved the way for exciting plans for the future. This year, we plan on finishing out our turkeys on pasture in the tractor, giving them the same opportunity to enjoy fresh greens and bugs like their chicken counterparts. We expect this change in their diet will make a noticeable difference in the quality and taste of their meat.
Also on our agenda is a chicken plucker we've had our eye on. Although plucking is a part of the process we've always managed to do ourselves, we anticipate that this tool will make the task much more efficient. This way, we can spend less time on processing and more time enjoying the fruits of our labor. We're excited to see how this new gadget will improve our harvest routine.
From Past to Future: An Ongoing Journey in Homesteading
Our evolution as homesteaders continues with every passing season. We've learned so much from our experiences so far, and yet, we know there is still so much more to learn and discover. We eagerly look forward to each new project, each new challenge, and each new success. We've come a long way from our humble beginnings, and we're excited about the journey that lies ahead.
Moving day for the chicken tractor. They love the fresh pasture more than the feed they’re offered.
Joining the Revolution: A Call to Fellow Homesteaders and Curious Readers
Whether you're a fellow homesteader, someone dreaming about starting their homesteading journey, or a curious reader, we're glad you've joined us on this adventure. We hope that our experiences can offer you insight, spark ideas, and perhaps even inspire you to embark on your own journey towards self-sustainability.
The Homesteading Dream: A Look at Our Life and Vision
As we close this chapter, we look out over our homestead - our labor of love. We see our birds, content in their chicken tractor, the fruits of our garden waiting to be picked, the gentle sway of the trees in the breeze. We feel the warmth of the setting sun and smell the earthy scent of the land. It's in these quiet moments that we truly appreciate what we've built here. This is our sanctuary, our provider, our home.
Embracing a Sustainable and Humane Approach
We are proud to be a part of the chicken tractor revolution, working towards a more humane and sustainable approach to poultry raising. This is just the beginning, and we can't wait to see where this path takes us next. From our homestead to yours, we wish you joy, peace, and bountiful harvests.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming updates, tips, and tales from our homestead. The adventure is just getting started!
