I love my chickens! Mine are in a coop, not a tractor, but I let them out into the yard in the daytime. I have 2 Great Pyr in the pasture that any predator has to cross to get to them, so they're pretty safe, although not from hawks. I didn't let them out until they were pretty big so they'd have at least a chance to survive.
They start laying at about 5 months old, and are a joy to watch. I put kitchen scraps in a compost pile, but they know to go scratch around in there.
You've got to keep them out of the garden somehow, although with space and plenty to eat, they don't try too hard to get in there.
Good luck with the project - I've had backyard birds for years and love it.
I have read that Guinea Hens will keep your garden bug free, but I would never have them. They are about as homely as a bird can be and they make a screeching noise that is awful.
@Allamanda Anything that kills ticks would be a favourite with my wife, she is phobic about deer ticks and Lyme disease.
Many years ago I did this on a hobby farm. It works great if you've one or two fallow garden beds each year. You'll need a chicken scoop too.
Posted by JolantaUnusual fungi.
Posted by FernappleI am trying to grow some extra salad crops this year in the new greenhouse.
Posted by JolantaBugg life.
Posted by glennlab My first flowers of this spring. Lotus and blue bells
Posted by glennlab My first flowers of this spring. Lotus and blue bells
Posted by FrostyJimSeedlings ..
Posted by FernappleIts Hellebore season now.
Posted by FernappleIts Hellebore season now.
Posted by FernappleIts Hellebore season now.
Posted by FrostyJim...don't be silly!
Posted by KateOahuI saw some pretty flowers on a walk today. I’d never seen a white Hibiscus before. And I do not know what the pink flowers are.
Posted by KateOahuI saw some pretty flowers on a walk today. I’d never seen a white Hibiscus before. And I do not know what the pink flowers are.
Posted by KateOahuI saw some pretty flowers on a walk today. I’d never seen a white Hibiscus before. And I do not know what the pink flowers are.
Posted by FrostyJimI usually drink coffee while planting seeds?
Posted by KilltheskyfairyI love all the information on the internet that makes me a better gardener…
Posted by Jaylo64Primative hydroponic system /an old shoe rack and coffee cans ! Cans above drip into the cans below !