They are useful, but depending where you are, they are only good for the day-time, one has to move the chickens to a secure place at night, because of predators. I was thinking of something like one of the simple ones, but it requires more attention than I want to give it, so I abandoned the idea. I don't have a large enough garden area to make it worthwhile for me or the chickens, have to provide water and some sort of feed in addition to the scavenging.

I can see where it can create extra work. But according to the guide, she thought the Boy Scouts built it for the farm and they help with the chickens.
The day before the tour, a scout group came and picked some ripe fruits and veggies and gave it to the chickens, and they sure seem to enjoy that.
There is a children's garden with a small, A-frame chicken coop, totally enclosed with wire and wood. There were four chickens in there. It was so clean, no odor nor flies. The guide said the parents, children and scouts maintained the coop, with the guidance of a teacher.
I also found out that they don't have a rooster in either coop, the chickens still lay eggs, Lol, news to me.
According to the guide, the farm is operating on a short shoe string and they a always looking for funding.

I'm a city girl, 73 years old, and I had my first Chicken class 101. I sure hope they can keep this farm going for future generations.

West, it seems that this farm is a community thing, and yes, I think for their operation a chicken tractor is a good thing.
As far as a rooster, they are useful, because they take a certain amount of leadership, the hens don't squabble as much, and the eggs are fertile. Chickens, like all females of any species, of course have a supply of eggs, whether they get fertilized or not.

lilo, yes, the guide said that the hens would lay eggs without having a rooster around, but the eggs would not be fertilized.

Oops, senior moment.

This post was edited by west_gardener on Wed, Sep 18, 13 at 9:48