Pastured Meat Chickens. Week 2.

I don't know if you know this or not, but I'm not an expert at anything. The closest thing that I would consider myself an expert on is floral design, and even that is far from the reality.Needless to say, as with most things, raising our meat chickens has been a great learning experience for me. Because, as previously noted, I'm not an expert.It's important that you remember that as I share with you the pros and cons/ups and downs of this backyard meat journey we're currently on.I've told it to you before - I like to make mistakes so that you don't have to. Instead, you can read my blog and say "Dang, Shaye! That was stupid! What a terrible decision! I'm laughing at your idiocy!" And then you can go, do things, and be much smarter than me.Be smart, dear grasshopper. Learn from my mistakes.Actually, I may be making it sound worse than it is. I've been very pleased with the experience of it so far! Let me break it down:1. If you missed part one, you can read that HERE.2. We're raising Rainbow Rangers and I would totally do them again (thus far, anyway). While they're fast growers, they don't grow nearly as fast as Cornish cross. It keeps them from bein' so nasty. They've grown enough feathers to cover their bodies. The thought of naked, bald, Cornish cross chickens is enough to make me never want to raise them. Plus, they are still happy to "forage" and scratch through the grass for bugs and such.3. I was a little worried about feeding the 20% Scratch and Peck chick starter formulated feed, simply because that high of a protein content can cause leg problems in the chicks. Luckily, we haven't had a problem with this at all! Not one chick. I do see them stretching their legs quite regularly, but they are still happy to fly, jump, run, and walk around. They only have a teeny bit more of chick feed left (these 52 chicks have taken 2 weeks and 3 days to work through 80 pounds) and then they will be moved to the lower 18% protein content feed. Still organic, soy-free, and locally sourced. Slowly, healthy, steady growth is what we're looking for.4. As I mentioned previously, we moisten and soak the feed prior to feeding it. Our waste to date hasn't been more than a pound, at most. It's fantastic. The chicks do a good job of cleaning up their feeders twice per day. I fill the feeders once in the morning and once at night. Right now, we're using ones LIKE THIS. They've been working great. I'll need to order a few more though, as the chicks grow and eat more (girlfriend doesn't need to be fillin' up feeders four times per day).5. We moved them out to the chicken tractors when they were two weeks old (this past Saturday). They were so happy! They immediately began scratching at the grass and soaking up the sunshine. We're planning on moving them on all the grassy/weedy patches that are surrounding the house. Not only will this help to discourage the bug population, but it also fertilizes the grass and mows it for us! Win-win.Now. Here's the problem (and no, it's not the dog drooling over them).We designed our chicken tractors as simply as possible. We used almost all scrap materials that we had laying around. A few posts, some inexpensive plastic poultry netting, and a staple gun. We were sittin' pretty.Or so we thought.The tractor has been a disaster - even only a few days in. For starters, the little chick get too easily caught in the light weight netting. They are constantly trying to mess with it, kicking and flying at it. Their little feet get stuck easily and then they churp really sadly and then I have to run out and untangle them and then they get all dramatic like "AHHH!!! MY FOOT IS CAUGHT!!! LAWD HAVE MERCY!!! HELP ME!! HELP ME!" And I'm all like "Chill our, chick. You're fine. It's just a little plastic netting." And they're all like "HELLLLLPPPPP ME!" and I'm like "Chill."At this point, they're also small enough that they've found their way out. Even though the netting is stapled, they can maneuver themselves out in all sorts of acrobatic ways. They're crazy.Thirdly, the tractor doesn't have a lid to open and close. Therefore, whenever we need to feed them and give them water, we have to lift it up and then a bunch of little chicks try and run for freedom and then I have to chase them down and they peck me and I get scared and I quickly shove them back in the tractor and then I run inside and scream at Stuart "The chickens got out! The chickens got out!" And then he's all like, "Chill."It's a messy business.When the chicks are bigger and lazier, this may not be such a problem. But right now, it's pretty dang annoying. And more than being annoying, it's very inefficient. On a small-scale chicken raising operation like we're doing, it's not a huge deal. But I think if we CAN do it better and more efficiently we SHOULD.Thus, our tractor needs to be rebuild.Thus, we need to invest in building a solid, quality one like THIS ONE.Thus, we need to invest more money.Thus, that stinks.A solid-build tractor will last us for many, many batches of chickens which is a bonus. But starting up on these sorts of things can be the hardest part - investing money in these sorts of contraptions can add up! But, as my Mom always used to say, "If it's worth doing, it worth doing right."Keeping these chicks safe is important. Not only for their sake, but also for the monetary investment that we've already made. I just see Sunday dinners and dollar bills whenever I look into that chicken tractor.We'll move this tractor around a small grassy area for this week - but next weekend, we're going to have to do some serious building. A new tractor is necessary.So learn it from me, my friends. Don't cheap out on the tractor. Invest. Design. Learn from the pros.All that being said, the chicks are all healthy and happy. Even if they're in a stupid chicken tractor. They take about ten minutes of care per day (if even that) so it's really been an easy venture thus far.So let's recap:1. Rainbow Rangers = yes.2. Scratch and Peck = incredibly wonderful feed.3. Cheap chicken tractor = big no-no.4. Fresh grass and sunshine = a must.5. Feeders like THIS = working great, thus far.I hope these posts continue to equip you for raising meat chickens of your own! Just maybe wait until I learn all the hard lessons for us.