They are called tractors because the chickens dig up the top layer of soil – and then they can be moved to another area with fresh grass and bugs to eat.Ĭhicken tractors are often a rectangular or A frame design, with a shelter/house section. Long story short… I decided a chicken tractor would be a useful addition to my setup.Ī chicken tractor isn’t an actual tractor, it’s a moveable chicken coop lacking a floor. (Aside from the chickens-fighting-with-other-chickens factor, it is good practice to quarantine new chickens from existing chickens to reduce the chances of passing on diseases to one another).

The good news is, she lived out her very last days as a happy chicken hanging out with her friends, but it got me thinking about having a better future setup for new, sick, injured or possibly even broody chickens. She was sick off and on for the last few months, which involved quarantining (in a converted cardboard box in my office) and then reintroducing her to the flock a number of times – and in the space of just a week she’d go from accepted member of the family to UNPRECEDENTED THREAT.Īnd she wasn’t the biggest fan of the cardboard box (as soon as she started feeling better, she let me know).

(Eventually, a new status quo is established, but it’s pretty brutal in the moment.)īack in February I started out with 4 chickens, but Billina sadly died of old age in September. In which case, chickens like to decide to demonstrate who is boss by mercilessly attacking the other chickens. These adorable, quirky little birds are just bursting with personality, and I really can’t imagine being without them.Īnd now I’m ready to improve my set-up and expand my flock.Ĭhickens like to be with other chickens… except when those chickens are new, or sick. Adopting chickens back in February was (probably) the best decision I made this year. If there is one thing that’s unexpectedly brightened up my 2020, it’s chickens.

Omlet chicken run