The electric netting and movable coop seems to be working really well.
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| You can see where they were the week before by the area of yellow grass to the pens left |
The hens get fresh grass every few weeks and a large fenced off area big enough to stop them from getting bored.
"Folding" then hens like this seems like a great way to keep them and although I know it's not true free ranged, but when foxes and uncontrolled walkers dogs are about, this is the next best thing! Everyone who see them says how healthy they look so all that fresh grass and insects must be doing them some good!
They do rotational grazing with pigs, cattle and sheep, too. Not only does it make better use of the forage, but the stock has less disease as well.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to love it and I love moving them on to a fresh bit of grass as they seem so happy!
DeleteWe can't have truly free range here because of weather and predators,so this method is common here.Happy clucking hens!
ReplyDeleteJane x
Yeah I hope this keeps the foxes away as well but I'm sure it'll happen one day...
DeleteLooks good! I like to call ours into the yard every few days when I turn them out so they keep down on ticks.
ReplyDeleteNo ticks here luckily! But I have had them on the veg garden owver winter to keep the slugs and snails down!
DeleteWe are thinking about doing something like this for our chickens. They are free roaming at the moment and have taken to wondering up and down the lane which is not exactly a safe place for them to be, nor is it safe for the drivers of the cars who hurtle down the lane as if on the fastest of motorways!
ReplyDeleteI really recommend it. It is a pain to move and I probably should get my wife to help me as its too much to hold in one go. They dont even bother trying to get out as they have all they need.
DeleteThis is exactly the same as we do.
ReplyDeleteOur hens and geese move along a 1.5 acre paddock with their houses, having about a quarter of it at a time and being moved as soon as we feel the ground needs to rest. By the time they have worked along the field the first area is once again lush and ready for action.
Yeah I'm planning to do this in the orchard once all the leaves are out. it should save me having to strim around the trees as well as putting some muck down to help them grow in the long run!
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