how many chicken tractors per acre

Chicken tractors offer a flexible and efficient solution for chicken farming. The term refers to a movable chicken coop that allows chickens to graze on a designated patch of land, after which they are moved to another area, this helps improve the quality of soil and reduces the buildup of waste. The size and number of chicken tractors you need depends on various factors such as the number of chickens, the size of your land, and the type of production you want to achieve. In this article, we explore the number of chicken tractors per acre.

Determine the number of chickens per tractor

The first step in determining the number of chicken tractors you need is to determine the number of chickens you want in each tractor. This number varies depending on the size of your chickens and the amount of space you want to leave for each bird to roam around comfortably. The general rule is to give each chicken at least 2-3 square feet of space. Therefore, if you have 50 chickens, you will need between 100-150 square feet. You should also consider how many eggs you want to produce per day. A higher number of chickens per tractor will lead to a higher egg production.

Calculate the number of square feet you have

Once you know how much space you need, the next step is to determine how many square feet you have available. The most common size for a chicken tractor is 8 feet by 12 feet, which gives you 96 square feet. If you have a half-acre of land, which is 21,780 square feet, you can fit around nine chicken tractors on it. However, it is important to note that you need to work around obstacles such as trees, water sources, and uneven terrain. Therefore, it is best to take some time to map out your land correctly.

Consider the type of farming you want to achieve

Another factor to consider when determining the number of chicken tractors per acre is the type of farming you want to achieve. For example, if you want to achieve a permaculture system, you can use chicken tractors to help clear out unwanted grass, insects, and weeds. In this case, you will need fewer chicken tractors per acre. However, if you want to maximize your egg production, you will need more chicken tractors per acre.

The final verdict

In conclusion, the number of chicken tractors per acre depends on various factors such as the size of your chickens, the amount of space you want to leave per bird, the number of eggs you want to produce per day, the available space, and the type of farming you want to achieve. On average, one chicken tractor can fit around 50 chickens, and you will need around nine chicken tractors per half-acre to fit 450 chickens comfortably. Just remember to map out your land correctly and take into account all the factors mentioned above.