雞用拖車
資料原始出處：Chicken Tractors: The Ultimate Composting System for Gardeners（ Kenneth, July 29, 2023）
Welcome to the fascinating world of Chicken Tractors—a revolutionary composting system that taps into the natural behaviors of chickens to create a continuous engine of fertility for your garden. This ingenious design can be applied on scales ranging from small urban gardens to large commercial farms, and it offers a sustainable and efficient way to enrich your soil while also caring for your feathered friends.
The term "chicken tractor" was first introduced by authors Andy Lee and Patricia Foreman in their book, "Chicken Tractor: The Permaculture Guide to Happy Hens and Healthy Soil." It has since been popularized by permaculture expert Geoff Lawton, whose educational videos provide practical insights on implementing this composting method in diverse settings.
In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of chicken tractors, from their underlying principles to their environmental benefits and practical applications. Whether you’re a backyard gardener, a small-scale farmer, or a sustainability advocate, we’re confident you’ll find this method a powerful tool in your journey towards more sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly gardening.
歡迎來到迷人的 Chicken Tractors 世界 - 一個革命性的堆肥系統，利用雞的自然行為為您的花園創造持續的肥力引擎。這種巧妙的設計可應用於從小型都市花園到大型商業農場的各種規模，它提供了一種可持續且有效率的方式，讓您的土壤更肥沃，同時也能照顧您的羽毛朋友。
「Chicken Tractors（雞用拖車）」一詞最早是由作者 Andy Lee 和 Patricia Foreman 在他們的書《Chicken Tractor： The Permaculture Guide to Happy Hens and Healthy Soil》一書中首次提出 「雞用拖車 」一詞。自此之後，樸門永續設計專家 Geoff Lawton 也開始推廣這種方法，他的教育影片提供了在不同環境中實施這種堆肥方法的實用心得。
在這篇文章中，我們將探討雞用拖車的來龍去脈，從其基本原理到環境效益和實際應用。無論您是後院園丁、小規模農民或永續發展倡導者，我們相信您都會發現這種方法是您邁向更永續、更有效率、更環保的園藝之旅的有力工具。
了解雞用拖車（Understanding Chicken Tractors）
As we delve deeper into the concept of chicken tractors, it’s important to note that despite the name, no heavy machinery is involved. This term, which was coined by authors Andy Lee and Patricia Foreman, describes a system that synergistically combines the natural behaviors of chickens with gardening practices. The result is a sustainable method of enhancing soil fertility and boosting garden productivity.
So, what exactly is a chicken tractor? In its most common form, a chicken tractor is a movable chicken coop without a floor, allowing the chickens direct access to the ground beneath them. However, the term has evolved to include a variety of designs, and not all of them are mobile. For instance, Geoff Lawton, a renowned permaculture expert, uses a stationary coop in some projects, such as his “Greening The Desert Project” in the Jordan River Valley. This coop even has a concrete floor below the compost, demonstrating the versatility of chicken tractor designs.
Regardless of the specific design, the core principle of a chicken tractor remains the same. It’s a system that leverages the natural behaviors of chickens - scratching the ground, consuming pests and weed seeds, and producing manure - to benefit the garden or farm. This creates a win-win situation, with chickens enjoying a varied diet and gardeners benefiting from natural pest control, weed management, and enhanced soil fertility.
The impact of chicken tractors extends beyond individual gardens and farms. For example, the “Greening The Desert Project” has shown the transformative power of permaculture principles, including the use of chicken tractors, in revitalizing arid landscapes over the past decade.
In essence, chicken tractors reflect the permaculture principle of harmonious integration of landscape and people. Whether mobile or stationary, small-scale or commercial, they provide food, reduce work, and harness the natural habits of chickens to promote sustainable and productive gardening.
當我們深入探討 「雞用拖車 」的概念時，有一點很重要，那就是儘管名字叫 「雞用拖車」，但其中並不涉及任何重型機械。這個名詞是由作者 Andy Lee 和 Patricia Foreman 創造的，它描述了一種將雞的自然行為與園藝實踐相結合的系統。其結果是一種提高土壤肥力和園藝生產力的可持續方法。
那麼，究竟什麼是雞用拖車？在最常見的形式中，雞拖拉機是一個沒有地板的可移動雞舍，讓雞可以直接到達雞舍下方的地面。然而，這個名詞已演變為包含各種不同的設計，而且並非所有的設計都是可移動的。例如：著名的生態農業專家 Geoff Lawton 在某些專案中使用固定式雞舍，如他在約旦河谷的「綠化沙漠專案（Greening The Desert Project）」，這個雞舍甚至在堆肥下面還有水泥地面，展示了雞拖拉機設計的多功能性。
無論具體設計如何，牽引式雞舍的核心原理始終如一。這是一個利用雞的自然行為（抓地、吃害蟲和雜草種子、產生糞便）來造福花園或農場的系統，創造了一個雙贏的局面，雞可以享受多樣化的飲食，而園丁則可以從天然的害蟲控制、雜草管理和提高土壤肥力中獲益。
雞拖拉機的影響不僅限於個別花園和農場。「綠化沙漠計畫」（Greening The Desert Project）在過去十年中展示了樸門永續設計原則在重振乾旱景觀方面的轉化力量。
從本質上來說，雞用拖車反映了人與景觀和諧共融的永續農耕原則。無論是移動式或固定式、小規模或商業化，它們都能提供食物、減少工作，並利用雞的自然習性來促進可持續且高產量的園藝。
打造你的雞用拖車（Building Your Own Chicken Tractor）
Constructing your own chicken tractor is a rewarding endeavor that provides a sustainable method for enriching soil fertility and caring for chickens. The design of the chicken tractor depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your property, the number of chickens you own, and your specific gardening or farming goals.
建造您自己的雞隻牽引車是一項有益的工作，它提供了一種可持續發展的方法，既可豐富土壤肥力，又可照顧雞隻。雞用拖車的設計取決於多種因素，包括您的土地大小、您擁有的雞隻數量，以及您特定的園藝或農業目標。
基本結構（The Basic Structure）
A chicken tractor typically consists of a coop for the chickens to roost and lay eggs, and an attached run that provides them with access to fresh ground. The coop should be secure to protect your chickens from predators and harsh weather, well-ventilated, and equipped with nesting boxes and roosting bars to accommodate the chickens’ natural behaviors.
堆肥區（Composting Area）
The run or composting area is where the process of soil enrichment occurs. In this space, chickens scratch, forage, and deposit manure, contributing to the composting process. If you’re building a stationary chicken tractor, similar to Geoff Lawton’s “Greening The Desert Project”, this area can be set up with a compost pile where the chickens naturally turn and mix the compost materials.
移動式 vs 固定式的雞用拖車（Movable vs Stationary Chicken Tractors）
Choosing between a movable and stationary chicken tractor largely depends on your circumstances. A movable chicken tractor is an excellent option for larger properties, providing chickens with fresh ground while evenly distributing their manure. For limited or challenging terrains, like steep slopes, a stationary chicken tractor may be more practical. This design lets you manage the composting process in a fixed location, which can be beneficial if you want to minimize the effort of moving the coop or oversee the composting process closely.
小空間的設計（Designing for Small Spaces）
For urban gardeners with limited space, a smaller chicken tractor design is an option. This might include a compact coop and run, with a smaller composting area. Despite its size, even a small chicken tractor can significantly contribute to soil fertility, offer a natural form of pest control, and supply fresh eggs daily.
Building your own chicken tractor, regardless of the scale, can be a practical and fulfilling step towards more sustainable and productive gardening. Remember to consider your specific needs and circumstances when designing your chicken tractor to ensure it’s a good fit for both you and your chickens.
如何使用雞用拖車（How to Implement a Chicken Tractor: Insights from Geoff Lawton’s Video）
Geoff Lawton, a world-renowned permaculture expert, has offered valuable insights into the utilization of chicken tractors. In his detailed video guide, Lawton explains how chicken tractors can be used to fertilize kitchen gardens of various sizes, turning them into powerhouses of productivity and sustainability.
Fertilizing Different Scales of Gardens
Lawton emphasizes that chicken tractors can be implemented in various contexts, from small urban spaces to large commercial farms. The potential for generating compost is impressive. For instance, in a small urban setting of just 16 square meters, a chicken tractor can yield an average of one cubic meter of compost per month. This is enough to fertilize 1000 square meters of garden. Larger systems, using around 30 chickens, can generate a cubic meter of compost every week, enough to keep ½ an acre fertile. Commercial setups with 50 chickens can produce a whopping two cubic meters of compost per week, sufficient for maintaining a full acre of land.
Composting Cycle and Pile Creation
The key to this productivity lies in the cycle of composting and the creation of compost piles. Each week, 1/3 of a cubic meter of bedding is placed under the chicken roost, where it becomes enriched with chicken manure. This manured bedding then acts as the base of a new compost pile, which is topped with 1/3 of a cubic meter of large animal manure and another 1/3 of a cubic meter of food scraps or garden weeds.
Over the course of the week, the chickens naturally disassemble the pile, spreading the material as the inner core heats up and composting begins. The pile is then reassembled, with the previously spread material forming the new core. This cycle is repeated weekly, and after five weeks, a pile is ready as compost.
都會的「增強版雞用拖車」（The Urban “Chicken Tractor on Steroids”）
For those operating in an urban setting, Lawton introduces the concept of a “chicken tractor on steroids.” This process involves two compost piles: one that is turned throughout the week, and another that is kept in a cage. Every week, the caged compost pile is released, and the spread-out compost pile is restacked into the cage. This system yields two cubic meters of compost every other month, totaling 12 cubic meters of compost a year. The output from a 16-square-meter chicken tractor can thus provide complete fertility for 1000 square meters (1/4 acre) of garden production, in addition to providing 8-10 eggs a day.
對於那些在都市環境中運作的人，Lawton 介紹了「增強版雞用拖車（chicken tractor on steroids）」的概念。這個過程包含兩個堆肥堆（compost piles）：一個是整週翻動的堆肥堆，另一個是放在網子裡的堆肥堆。每週，網子裡的堆肥堆會被打開，在外頭散開的堆肥堆則會重新堆放到網子裡。這個系統每隔一個月就會產生兩立方米的堆肥，一年總共產生 12 立方米的堆肥。因此，一輛 16 平方公尺的雞用拖車輸出的除了每天提供 8-10 枚雞蛋之外，還可為 1000 平方公尺（1/4 英畝）的園藝生產提供完整的肥力。
Creating Compost Piles
Lawn clippings and pulled weeds are added under the chicken roost for 6-8 weeks, where they are manured and initiate the composting process. When ready, the bedding from beneath the roost is removed, stacked with manure and food scraps, and put through the composting cycle. The process of adding bedding beneath the roost begins anew.
寒冷氣候的雞用拖車指南（Chicken Tractor Guidelines for Cold Climates）
Implementing chicken tractors can be influenced by local climates. For gardeners and farmers in USDA Zone 7 and similar Scandinavian climates, specific considerations can help ensure their chicken tractor system thrives.
Weather Conditions and Seasonality
USDA Zone 7 and Scandinavian climates feature cold winters and moderate summers. Such seasonal changes should be considered when designing and managing your chicken tractor. It’s essential that the chicken coop is well-insulated to protect your chickens from harsh winter conditions. During the summer, ample shade and fresh water should be provided to prevent overheating.
The composting process can slow down during the cold winter months due to decreased microbial activity. To counteract this, consider adding more high-nitrogen materials, like chicken manure or fresh green plant matter, to your compost pile to maintain its temperature and decomposition rate.
Chicken Breeds
Certain chicken breeds are better adapted to cold climates and can be more suitable for use in chicken tractors in USDA Zone 7 and Scandinavian climates. Breeds such as the Rhode Island Red, Sussex, and Plymouth Rock are known for their hardiness in cold weather. These breeds are also good layers, providing the added benefit of egg production.
Diversity and Resilience: The Icelandic Chicken
For our Scandinavian readers, another breed worth considering is the Icelandic chicken. This breed, native to Iceland, is hardy and known for its adaptability to different climates. It thrives in various settings, from farms and ranches to backyard conditions. Icelandic chickens are not only excellent layers, but they also display a strong tendency to forage and dig in manure and compost piles, which makes them a perfect fit for a chicken tractor system. Their medium size, alertness, and ability to fly quite well contribute to their survivability in various conditions. Despite their small carcass weight, Icelandic chickens lay a good number of medium-sized white to pale tan eggs, often laying over a long lifetime and during winter months.
Another key aspect of Icelandic chickens is their genetic diversity. Unlike many modern chicken breeds that often have a high degree of inbreeding, Icelandic chickens have been shown to be genetically diverse. This diversity can contribute to the overall health and resilience of the flock. In the world of permaculture and sustainable agriculture, we value diversity, recognizing that it is not only a strength but also a key element in ensuring food security. Maintaining diverse populations of animals, just like plants, helps to ensure the robustness and resilience of our food systems.
Acquiring Icelandic Chickens
While Icelandic chickens offer many benefits, obtaining them may not be straightforward, particularly if you’re located outside of Scandinavia. The rarity of this breed and its distribution primarily within Iceland can pose challenges for interested gardeners and farmers.
However, don’t let this deter you. There are breeders and poultry farms that specialize in Icelandic chickens, and with a little research, you may find a source near you. If you’re a breeder of Icelandic chickens and sell outside of Scandinavia, we’d love to hear from you! Please send us your information so we can make it available to our readers. By doing so, we hope to make these resilient and hardy chickens more accessible to those interested in creating a diverse and sustainable chicken tractor system.
Plant Species
When it comes to choosing plants for your chicken tractor area, I’ve found that if your chicken tractor is stationary, cover crops may not be feasible as they likely won’t survive the chickens’ scratching and foraging. Instead, consider planting fruit and berry bushes around your chicken tractor.
Speaking from personal experience, I plan to plant Aronias around my coop. They’re hardy, they do well in various soil conditions, and they drop their berries late in the season. This provides valuable nutrition for my chickens during the winter months when other food sources may be scarce. To ensure a steady supply of fresh forage for your chickens, you might also consider planting a variety of fruit and berry plants that ripen at different times throughout the season.
Remember, every garden and every situation is unique. By considering your specific climate and local conditions, you can optimize your chicken tractor system for maximum productivity and sustainability.
Conclusion: Chicken Tractor Guidelines for Cold Climates
As we’ve explored throughout this article, chicken tractors present an ingenious method for enriching soil fertility, managing pests, and sustaining healthy chickens. Whether you have a small urban garden or a larger commercial farm, chicken tractors can be an invaluable addition to your sustainable agriculture toolbox.
Chicken tractors synergistically combine the natural behaviors of chickens with composting processes. The result is a continuous cycle of fertility that can significantly enhance the productivity of your garden or farm. By making small adjustments, such as selecting suitable chicken breeds and plants, you can adapt this system to various climates, including colder regions like USDA Zone 7 and Scandinavia.
The methods and insights shared by Geoff Lawton, particularly his “Chicken Tractor on Steroids,” demonstrate the impressive potential of chicken tractors at different scales. From creating compost piles to managing them effectively, these systems can become a cornerstone of your sustainable gardening or farming practices.
As you move forward, remember that every garden and every situation is unique. Your chicken tractor system can be tailored to meet your specific needs and circumstances. From the design of the chicken coop to the selection of plants and chickens, each element of your chicken tractor can be customized to create a thriving ecosystem.
If you’re an advocate for sustainable agriculture, a nature-lover, or simply a gardening enthusiast, we encourage you to explore the world of chicken tractors. Consider the potential benefits it could bring to your own garden or farm. Who knows? Perhaps your next step towards a more sustainable future involves a chicken tractor.
發現堆肥的力量： 雞用拖車的天然替方案（Discover the Power of Composting: A Natural Alternative to Chicken Tractors）
Interested in exploring more sustainable and efficient ways to enrich your soil? Dive into the world of composting! Learn about the fascinating differences between hot and cold composting and how they can revolutionize your gardening practices.
Unearth the secrets of creating nutrient-rich soil that your plants will love, without the need for chickens. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, understanding composting can take your gardening to the next level.
Ready to transform your waste into a valuable resource? Click here to read our comprehensive guide on hot and cold composting. Don’t let your waste go to waste!
有興趣探索更永續、更有效率的方式來肥沃您的土壤嗎？深入了解堆肥的世界！了解熱堆肥和冷堆肥的迷人差異，以及它們如何徹底改變您的園藝作法。
揭開營養豐富的土壤的秘密，讓您的植物愛不釋手，而且不需要養雞。無論您是經驗豐富的園丁還是初學者，瞭解堆肥都能讓您的園藝更上一層樓。
準備好將您的廢棄物轉化為寶貴的資源了嗎？按一下這裡，閱讀我們有關冷熱堆肥的全面指南，不要讓您的廢物白白浪費！