How And Why We Use Joel Salatin's Way To Raise Chickens In A Chicken Tractor-Part 2

So, let's explore grass as food, in more detail. First, let's start with some information that can really enhance the way you think about your pasture. The size of these chicken tractors dictates that you can run 30 birds per pen, comfortably. Optimal performance would dictate 25 birds per pen. No less than 25, and you would be pushing it with more than 30, I know, I've tried. Learn from my mistake. The birds had to compete to much for food and, therefore, some did not fatten in time.

We have three tractors, currently, which will run 90 birds at a time. Given this number, based on Joel Salatin's book “Pastured Poultry Profits”, this is putting down, roughly, 300 pounds of Nitrogen (N) per acre. Grass that is in good condition can metabolize and assimilate that N very well, making for healthy grass. The idea is to try and keep the grass in that “spring explosion” state.

The birds love seeds. So anything that has seeds, they will eat. Species like ragweed and plantain spires and other weeds that produce seeds. They love legumes also. Then they will go for the grass, yes, even fescue. The key is to remember that the soil produces key, essential minerals (even from the depleted soil, it isn't empty, just depleted) and the sun provides vitamin D. The leaf of the plant provides a good source of vitamins, such as, A in the form of beta carotene,B's, E, protein and more. Generally, all the benefits you get from green, leafy things. Of course, the protein level will vary from species to species, but that is one good reason to have a diverse pasture. We are still hard at work on our pasture. But just knowing some of these things impresses the idea of pasture “stewardship” in my mind. I hope it does your, as well.

Back to Joel Salatin, for a moment. If you haven't read his book, “Pastured Poultry Profits” yet, I highly recommend you do. You can pick it up at Amazon, or through the Stockman Grassfarmer at www.stockmangrassfarmer.com It is chuck full of very useful information from one of the pioneers in this method of raising chickens. Joel Salatin has been grass farming for many years and has become a leader in that movement.

The bottom line is that if you are reading this article, you are interested in raising chickens in a healthy environment. You are tired of the “commodity” meat you buy in the store and you want what is best for the health of your family. Raising birds in a natural environment, letting them work for you, and living their lives happy and healthy, will translate into a healthier you. A healthy bird means, when you eat it, you are healthier.