Chicken Tractor On Steroids 3.0 // Pt. 1

[@mynameisntryan88]

Hey we just wanted to let you know that we love your "Train The Trainer" methods. You and your family do a great job and breaking things down so even Joe can understand it.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Thanks so much for watching man!

[@mynameisntryan88]

@@PermaPasturesFarm21 I had a longer comment written out but it was too long and too blah blah blah. Just know we appreciate you guys not selling out when you guys absolutely and deservedly could. We appreciate the authenticity of sharing the knowledge and not trying to make a commercial for a tractor, side by side, chainsaw, wood splitter or any other farm product placements out there. It's just "This is how we do it, but you can do it any way you want to do it; however, this is what we know works for us." kind of channel.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

@@mynameisntryan88 it means the world to us that you recognize our true motives brother! We want to find that happy place of evangelizing this information,and at the same time, making a living...without Being caricatures of ourselves.

[@Naoma09]

This is awesome. I can't run my hens, but what I'm doing is swapping their coop bedding with the stuff I dump in the run (indoor rodent cage bedding, food scraps, grass clippings, garden prunings, etc). I do the swap once a month, so they always have clean bedding in the coop, and they shred all the compostables in the run while looking for bugs. when I clean the run out after a month, I just throw it into a pallet bay to sit. when that's full, I start hot composting it. Its fairly composted down by the time It gets to the bays. Kind of the same thing. Thanks for the videos Billy!

[@rustedoakhomestead]

Going back and binging this series because I'm beginning to utilize this method as I've acquired some great sources for food scraps/brewery grains.

[@lvs6775]

Great video! That was a lovely shot of Michelle and the dogs :)

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Thank you so much! When she’s holding the camera the only thing you’ll ever see is the dogs.

[@stevelattimer2795]

Viewing your playlist here after hearing you on Nicole's LFTN podcast. I'm excited to watch after listening to you!

[@rrittenhouse]

I loved that echo/reverb at the end. You could hear Billy's voice bouncing back if you listen closely. I thought it was quite entertaining and had to listen a second time :)

[@tomf.2274]

I know it is spring but your land is looking lovely and respected right now.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Thank you so much for noticing!

[@EarlybirdFarmSC]

Looks good. So the chicken tractor here is originally from Jeff Lawton. So that’s where the Chickshaw tractor came from. Makes sense now. I like this idea and it is similar to what I had been planning to do with my future laying pen. I’m building it next to my orchard and going to put wood chips in there. Once in a while I’ll clean it out and pile them up to use. I will be putting the garden on next to it so it’s all together. I may consider this way if so raise some meat birds.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

The chickshaw itself came from Justin Rhodes but this system of raising birds came from Geoff Lawton. Your idea is quite solid. We used to do the same thing at an orchard in Texas.

[@EarlybirdFarmSC]

@@PermaPasturesFarm21 I see. I thought maybe Justin got the idea from Lawton. Most ideas are borrowed anyways so it’s always hard to know. I hope it works out. The hard part is getting all the systems in place right? Have a good night, later.

[@bettinaripperger4159]

We need some more of your videos brother !

[@Warrior-In-the-Garden]

Thanks for the detail in this video. I have been looking for a way to cut the cost of raising meat birds and feeding organic. Great point about maybe not doing this on your first go round. There is probably so much observation and adjustment to be made. Also glad you mentioned about the aerial predators- I am so hesitant to do this for that reason. I mean our school mascot it the Redhawk - we also have eagles swoopin' thru too. Looking forward to the updates. So appreciate your sharing your journey with us. Much respect!

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Thank you for checking it out! Watching the system unfold is pretty magical.

[@tracycrider7778]

I think maybe a portable cover to keep out predators

[@DSwann]

I was listening to your podcast talking about business ideas. Has anybody created an app for farmhands that way if you go on vacation or have an emergency out of town you can simply go on the app and find somebody to take care of your property?

[@frankieboy2417]

Glad I found your channel. Watching Renewed I saw you and was too dumb to figure out where you were and today on the side banner you popped up.

[@tydeg2887]

Your land is in such a gorgeous area!

[@1guysmilely]

Hey Billy really enjoyed listening to you on the survival podcast.

[@XyZ98768]

Looking forward to this series. We are going to try it out. Our meat birds come in May, so I got time to take notes. Lol

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

That’s awesome! It would probably be helpful to go back and watch the playlist of the two previous times we did it.

[@XyZ98768]

@@PermaPasturesFarm21 I already binge watched them!

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

@@XyZ98768 right on!

[@grankethamajor9109]

Like your shirt, Bud!😹😹😹. Billy, I swear that I am never letting you name anything! Persimmon Phil!!! Really!😹😹😹😹😹

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Ha ha! It was either persimmon Phil or Slippery Dan.

[@DebbiesHomeplace]

This is going to be a great series to look forward too! Awesome explanation. Thanks for sharing!

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@SamuelVeeriah-uc6ev]

Hey Billy God Bless you for sharing you knowledge. I've watched so many of your videos after coming over from sow the land. Could I start the composting pile with pig manure? I see some Geoff Lawton videos and you use cow/donkey/horse (or other ruminant) manure but I havent seen pig manure being used.

[@julianorris6992]

Starting this system today 😃

[@idahohoosier8989]

Finally got ti see chicken tractor on steroids. Very cool. Blessings, julie

[@jordanrobison1827]

hey Billy, I had a question when it comes to your added scraps that you put in. do you ever put any kind of meats, citrus or such things that traditionally your not suppose to put in a compost pile? thank you again for your informational videos! I just found your pimp cast and now KZbin I'm loving your channels please keep your pimp cast and KZbin videos coming.

[@beautifullivingfarmhouse239]

Great playlist, my wife and I have dual purpose birds and as our flock continues to grow, so does the cost of feed. I love this. I have a ton of horse manure and cow manure, we also raise pigs. My question is can I do this with fresh horse and cow manure?

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Absolutely! In fact, it works better that way.

[@beautifullivingfarmhouse239]

Thank you 🙏🏽 for the reply! Just over two years ago we decided to transition into a life of self sustaining and just a much more meaningful life. We recently harvested two of our pigs that we raised from 8 weeks. It was difficult but we are able to rest easy knowing we gave them the best life possible. I watched your butchering video as I butchered my pigs. Very helpful! We appreciate your channel and content. We have our channel we started just about 8 months ago. I am very intrigued in using our manure for the chickens. Thank you and I am certain this is not the last you hear from us. Thank you again!

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

@@beautifullivingfarmhouse239 well that just made my day!

[@karengradzki3808]

This system is awesome! I want some acreage even more now. I do have a question. What are you doing in the barn to produce that much carbon bedding that you add each day?

[@a.ghobrial1092]

Get a black chicken you won’t have to worry about hawks. The hawks think the black chicken is a crow. I think this probably applies to other air predators who also avoid crows

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

That’s exactly what we do

[@1gr8lpta]

Jason from sow the land sent me. I think I’ll stay.

[@katelynnbarnhill1138]

This may be a silly question. But how do you get in and out of the fence without climbing over it? Or is that just how you are suppose to get in and out of it?

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

You can walk through the opening… But I almost never do it.

[@laurathomey5706]

Hello! Thank you for the great videos. I have watched all of your chicken tractor videos and have a question. Is the chicken tractor on steroids a hot composting system? Do I need to get the temperature up high enough to kill the weed seeds? Or will the chickens eat the seeds and it can be a cold composting system? Thank you, Laura

[@idrinkrawmilk554]

Do your dogs touch the electric fence often? I want a dog to roam, but I have electric fence everywhere.

[@tristaperkins7112]

Excited for part 2.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

I think you’re really going to be tickled about the transformation that happens in the birds and the compost!

[@tristaperkins7112]

I have a new flock being shipped the week of 5:10, so I am interested in New practices. Can't wait!

[@justint1807]

What kinda electric netting is used for your chickens and sheep?

[@janniesims8620]

Love the pimp joke, never heard that before, lol.

[@marilynweber7957]

Can you tell me which video to watch with plans to build the tractor?

[@szabik.5579]

You are good people. Thanks for the awesome videos and for the precious informations. Iwould like to live and wok daily in a community with a bunch of peopole like you. Permaculture can save the World and lives. Hopply the Agronomic Industries will realise this someday, Thanks again and keep goin with work and next videos. Thank you so much.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Thank you so much for those kind words! Permaculture could indeed save the world if we could get the information into the hands of anyone willing to give it a shot.

[@ThePrognoid]

What’s the length of the fencing you’re using for the compost pile?

[@vansicklejerry]

Can someone recommend a pasture seed mix blend I can plant for chickens preferably one that is somewhat drought resistance for our lake of rain in the PNW during Summer? Our grass and clover in our yard normally dies by the 4th of July. Then my free range chickens attach my garden eating our strawberries, squash, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. I don't want to pen them up, but I am going to do something with this garden, but was hoping to plant something in the pasture to hopefully keep them focused down there more. I am going to plant a bunch of squash of their own down there, but wanted something that is a mix of perennials for them in the pasture to keep them feeding down there more and not coming up to the house eating.

[@MsCaterific]

💚

[@noraweston2053]

Will this work during the winter in zone 6b SW Missouri

[@1herbert100]

Hey Buddy, why don't you put a couple of grown chickens with the pullets maybe they would follow the big birds out. Just a thought.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

That’s definitely not a bad idea.

[@Skashoon]

Just back revisiting this video to check details for my experiment. Planning to start training my pullets to the compost ring inside their run. (Don’t yet have the poultry net) What age are the chicks in your CTOS? 3-4 weeks?

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

I think they were 4 weeks but I’ve gotten them out there as early as 2.

[@dianeoliver9356]

Can you put the clear or semi-clear corrugated roof on top so the chicks can get accumulated to the sunlight?

[@hvacstudent967]

You know I built my chicken tractor that justin rhodes made plans available for, and now seeing it in action I have to consider building more. I think I'm going to build another for our future meat birds using this system, and the third I'll sell or give away. I think there is value in building these for other people who perhaps are to busy to do so? Living in the country now we have to find a way to generate revenue from the farm and at the same time help others produce their own food. I don't want to build junk either. I bought the pre-welded / post dipped wire which will last much longer. I bought cedar and even treated the cedar in a special coating to increase the life 2-3x. My only concern is that building the thing just in materials was very expensive! We spent around 1,000 on materials, that doesn't include labor. Would folks buy a chicken tractor with a price tag that would obviously be pretty darn high? Guess we shall see! Thanks for sharing this system from Geoff, as you say we need to propagate this ASAP!

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Homesteaders of America just charged hundreds of dollars for a weekend event that claimed to teach folks “how to homestead in a weekend”. They easily sold out so I’m sure there are lots of folks willing to pay just about anything for a ready made system.

[@hvacstudent967]

@@PermaPasturesFarm21 Thanks for the comment, it's very encouraging to consider. Hardest thing about business is charging people. If we provide value in the market place we should compensate and be compensated for bringing value to others. You know I think how to address the psychological barriers to entry, such as the one I mentioned would make good content to mull over in a video. Many people who I try and talk to about taking on this life style are just down right afraid. How will I make a living is one of the most common rebuttals I've received. Which boils down to fear, but I'm learning one of the most liberating and empowering elements to this life style is that your land can truly provide an independent lifestyle. Our society has forgotten how to be self sufficient since we've been domesticated by the corporations and the banking families so as to be more docile and to buy more of their junk. I really appreciate how you are doing your part to show that you/we can grow enough food to not only feed our selves, but also our communities.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

@@hvacstudent967 i’ve had those same psychological hurdles myself. If I’m totally honest, I still do to a great extent.

[@39kelevra]

Thanks for the video! What do you mean by "clean manure"? My uncle runs cows and said I could have as much of their manure as I wanted. Would that work?

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

Basically manure from animals that haven’t been given dewormer and other chemicals. Some of those things can be tied up in the process of composting but generally it’s a good idea to stay away from it all.

[@IowaKim]

Fun fact: the color of a chickens earlobes indicates the color of eggs they lay. Sounds crazy. Leghorns have white earlobes-white eggs, Rhode Island Reds have red earlobes-brown eggs, Araucanas have "tufted" ears and lay blue to green eggs. The gene that determines the color of eggs affects the earlobe color.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

I remember a lady told me that about 10 years ago and I thought she was kidding because I never really paid attention. Good stuff!

[@ColRubyDimplesManacha]

Silkies have blue ears but lay cream-light tan, maybe they're the exception.

[@arnel.832]

Watching here phillipines

[@papawsplace]

Ready for part 2, Hurry up...LOL

[@pmbrown3956]

I like the system but how would I do this with the amount of predatory bird I have in my area?

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

A good livestock guardian dog situated in very close proximity to your birds is always the best solution in my book.

[@pmbrown3956]

@@PermaPasturesFarm21 thank you

[@mon0t0n]

Great Content as always ! I know I ask questions under almost every video, but you are truly inspiring :D So here is my question, what do you think is the minimum amount of fertile you should have to rely solely on permaculture for a living ? Sure it will take some time to get a healthy eco system going and some starting investments but I would love to get rid of my office job asap ^^ Btw gonna check if you have Patreon or something I would really love to support you awesome people and your style of living 🙌

[@mon0t0n]

I cant seem to find your patreon, is there any way to support you ?

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

@@mon0t0n thank you so much for your very kind remarks! We haven’t yet started a Patreon account because we want to be sure that we provide a higher degree of benefit for those that contribute. We are still in the process of trying to figure out what that should be. As far as relying on permaculture to make a living, it depends on each individual. For us it took several years of living in a fifth wheel and FEMA trailer so that we could save every dime to get out of the rat race and start this journey. Start with something you enjoy and then expand from there my friend! I have no doubt you will find your way!

[@jillyd2807]

Looks like they’re in total darkness in that chicken tractor!!!

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

The corrugated sides and top of that design provide a great deal of fresh air and light.

[@oursimplelife5984]

How old are these chicks when you put them out?

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

4 weeks. If they were meat birds I would’ve had them out in two or three weeks.

[@oursimplelife5984]

Thanks! I’m still trying to learn all I can before getting birds.

[@nancyfahey7518]

Tell the chickens to stay out of the pile.

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

They just don’t listen...

[@jennifersinclair6044]

I don't understand, you don't know what kind of chickens you have?

[@PermaPasturesFarm21]

You’re right… I did a lousy job of explaining that part so I’ll be sure to correct it in the next update. The rooster is a French black copper Moran and the hens are Australorp, barred Plymouth rock and Rhode Island red. Essentially, the only thing that I’m reasonably certain about is that we produced a decent sized dual purpose bird.

[@jennifersinclair6044]

@@PermaPasturesFarm21 I get that it wasn't the focus of this video. You actually explain things fine. It just seemed there was a back story there & it peaked my curiosity. I actually thought I'd missed a video that did explain it. Lol! Btw, it's amazing how big those chicken's feet were! My goodness! I think you'll end up with some deliciously big birds! 🤤🤤🤤 When will pt 2 be out, you think?

[@billybond5226]

@@jennifersinclair6044 i’m probably going to grow these birds out for 16 weeks and do weekly updates every Sunday concerning what’s going well and the things that need improvement.

[@jennifersinclair6044]

@@billybond5226 cool! Love following along & learning.

[@maxwow2479]

Hi Billy, just here to say that I started a chicken compost system modeled after yours for our 75 semi-stationary chickens in our eco village "Permatopia" in Denmark, after binchwatching your videos. I am in week 5 and am combining week 1 and 2 piles for a bigger volume. Works great and the chicks love it!

[@OG-Everthing]

Too much talking -_-