New Chickens

     Three weeks ago I purchased 90 day old chicks.  These are not layers raised for egg production.  This batch is broilers which are raised for meat.  The first 2 1/2 weeks of their life, the chicks spent in a confined area with a supplemental heat source.  After their feathers developed, I moved them to a moveable pen.  The pen is constructed of PVC pipe and plastic netting.  Part of the top and sides have metal roofing material to provide some shade and protection from the weather.  I also put 2 bicycle tires on the back to hold some of the weight off of the ground and to help move the pen.

   Each day this pen, or 'chicken tractor' gets moved to a new patch of ground.  This method ensures that their poop gets spread around and that they continually have clean ground.  The chickens also have fresh plants and insects to eat.  With this kind of access to pasture, I am able to reduce feed costs by 15 to 30 percent.  There is also a possibility that they will gain weight more slowly which increases my feed costs. The safety of the pen helps to keep the birds safe from hawks, foxes, and other predators.

     I hope to butcher these chickens at about 7 weeks and I hope they will reach about 5 pounds.  Yes, I do plan to do the butchering myself.  Small farms in Pennsylvania are allowed to process and sell their own chickens. 

     The first week in the pen has gone well.  I found that the pasture is often uneven and the chicks like to squeeze under the bottom.  A few nights I have tried to get them back in before dark.  One morning during the recent storm, I found that 6 had died during the night.  I could not find the cause of death and I hope this does not happen again.  I might prop up the front of the coop so that the chickens can run in and out as they please. 

     All in all, it seems like a decent system although it takes some work to haul food and water up to the birds.  I am feeding organic feed and plan to sell some of the birds in July.  I am still working out my expenses and the sale price.  I have found several farms selling organic, pastured chicken for between $3 and $4 per pound.  The higher price comes from the increased cost of organic feed and the time it takes to manage a system like this.  You may preorder chickens through email by contacting the farm.