Chicken-tractors and egg-mobile’s have been a work-in-progress for the last 25 years. Thanks to folks like Joel Salatin we have all re-learned that there is a correct and humane way to take care of chickens and it does not involve a 40x200 building and 100 yards of concrete.
And we have learned that there is a large market waiting if you pasture raise broilers and eggs. Unfortunately if you want to raise pastured chickens you are pretty much on your own to design and build a proper device that solves all the problems presented by raising chickens on grass.
Lets take broilers.
Housing. You need a confined space big enough for at least 400 birds from the age of 1 day to about 3 to 4 weeks. You have to be able to keep them clean, dry and warm. Should be at least 128 sq. ft.
Protection from predators. Once you open the door and let them outside you have varmints coming at you by land and by air. Coons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, hawks and owls all like chicken just as much as you do. You need a confined, protected space of at least 1200 sq. ft.
Mobility. It all has to be on wheels to move easily and quickly to new grass. It has to be easy or we won’t do it.
The answer?
The Shade Haven portable shade.
Brood groups of from 100 to 500 chicks in a simple 8’ x 8’ x 12’ “ box†that can be in or near any farm building with power and water. When the birds are feathered out and ready for some fresh air pull or haul your box to the pasture and let them loose under a Shade Haven.
The Shade Haven can be customized with an on-board feed and water system, a simple shelter to protect from wind and rain and electric fence netting hanging from the ends of the trusses. The birds have an easy-to-move green grass enclosure, 24/7 protection from predators, and the Shade Haven transport is fitted with water and feeders.
This is heaven itself for chickens as they love grazing and green grass but spend a lot of time worrying about predators from the air. No worries here for the chickens or the chicken farmer. The chicken-mobile just made a great leap forward!
