When and How to Move Your Birds for Maximum Productivity

A flock of chickens grazing on fresh grass in a mobile coop under a clear blue sky, showcasing the importance of timing and strategic movement for optimal bird health and productivity on the farm.

We get a lot of questions from farmers about the best times to move their birds. It’s a common concern, and understandably so—moving your flock at the right times can significantly impact their health, productivity, and the overall efficiency of your farming operations.

A group of young chicks feeding from an automated feeding system inside a mobile coop. The red feeders are part of the ROVA|BARN system, ensuring even distribution of feed and efficient flock management.

The Basics of Moving Birds

Morning and Evening Moves

Many farmers find that the best times to move their birds are early in the morning or evening. Birds are generally more calm and less active during these times, making them easier to manage. Moving them during these cooler periods can reduce stress and prevent injuries.

Daytime Freedom

It is important to allow your birds to be active during the day. Chickens, for example, thrive when they can forage, peck, and explore their surroundings. This daytime activity is natural for them and can be beneficial for their health and well-being.

Keeping them in one place all day can lead to overgrazing and soil degradation, which can negatively impact both the birds and the land.

Brown hens feeding from an automated feeder system inside a mobile chicken coop. The birds forage on fresh grass, illustrating the regenerative farming benefits of using mobile systems like the ROVA|BARN.

When to Move Birds onto Pasture

Regenerative Farming Practices

In regenerative farming, timing your birds’ movements can significantly improve soil health and pest control.

By moving birds regularly, their droppings are more evenly distributed and can act as natural fertilizer, enriching the soil. Birds also help control pests and weeds through their natural foraging behaviour.

Seasonal Considerations

The season can also influence when to move your birds. In the spring and summer, when vegetation is lush, birds can graze more extensively and benefit from a diverse diet.

During the end of the pasture season, you may need to move them less frequently but provide supplemental feed to ensure they get enough nutrition.

Temperature Concerns

Temperature plays a big role in determining the best times to move your birds. During hot weather, it’s generally better to move chickens early in the morning or evening when the temperature is cooler. This helps to reduce heat stress on the birds and prevents overheating.

With the ROVA|BARN, farmers can set up automatic movements via the app, allowing the mobile chicken coop to move multiple times during the cooler parts of the day.

A view of automated feeders suspended inside a mobile chicken coop, surrounded by fresh green grass. The ROVA|BARN system helps ensure consistent feed and allows birds to access fresh pasture throughout the day.

Strategic Planning

Plan Your Moves

Strategic planning is essential to getting the most out of moving your birds.

Rotate them through different areas of your farm to ensure even fertilization and pest control, and use mobile coops like the ROVA|BARN to make these moves easier and more efficient.

Our automated systems can help you manage your flock with minimal labour, giving you more time to focus on other aspects of your farm.

Advantages of Frequent Moves

Moving birds multiple times a day has several benefits:

Promotes healthier and more active birds.
Ensures better manure distribution and even fertilization across your fields.
Birds can access fresh grass more frequently, which helps improve their diet and health.

Monitor Impact

Keep an eye on how your land responds to the movements. Too much grazing in one area can lead to over-fertilization and soil compaction.

Balance is key, and it might take some time to find the right rhythm for your specific farm conditions.

A close-up of the mobile wheel system on the ROVA|BARN. The large wheels and durable frame allow for easy movement across the pasture, key to rotating birds for regenerative farming practices.

Tips for Moving Birds

Use technology—Automated chicken coop systems like the ROVA|BARN can eliminate much of the guesswork about when and where to move your birds.
Stay informed about best practices in poultry management and regenerative farming.
Keep it consistent—Regular movements are better than sporadic ones. Consistency helps birds adapt and thrive.

A large ROVA|BARN mobile chicken coop set up in a lush green field, equipped with solar panels to power its automated movement system, demonstrating sustainability and efficiency in regenerative farming.

Integrating Technology for Efficient Moves

Automated Systems

At UKKÖ Robotics, we’ve developed automated systems to simplify the process of moving your birds.

The ROVA|BARN allows you to program your chicken coop to move at specific times, ensuring your birds are always in the best spot for grazing and fertilization. This saves you time and ensures that your birds are moved consistently and without stress.

Real-Time Monitoring

With our advanced monitoring tools, you can monitor your flock’s location, health, and environment in real time. The sensors and cameras provide valuable data and allow you to make better-informed decisions about when and where to move your birds.

A flock of chickens feeding inside a ROVA|BARN mobile coop, with automated feeders in place. The setup ensures regular movement of the coop for even grazing and soil fertilization, improving bird health and farm productivity.

Success Stories

Ferme JANAM

Audrey and Jean-François from Ferme JANAM in Outaouais, Quebec, successfully integrated our ROVA|BARN400 Pro into their farming operations. By using our automated system, they managed to balance their full-time jobs with farming.

The ROVA|BARN provided autonomy to their fields, ensuring that their broiler chickens were well taken care of with minimal manual intervention. This system allowed them to focus more on animal welfare and less on labour-intensive tasks.

Two farmers, seated inside a ROVA|BARN, smiling while working on their automated chicken coop. They demonstrate the ease and accessibility of managing a farm using smart, automated systems like the ROVA|BARN.

Napa Pasture Protein

In Napa Valley, California, Cori and Casey faced challenges with manually moving heavy chicken tractors.

By switching to a ROVA|BARN400 Pro , they saved 35-40% in feed costs and saw significant improvements in their farm's efficiency. The smart storage system and increased vegetation led to healthier chickens and better soil quality.

Final Thoughts

Moving your birds at the right times and planning strategically can really make a difference. You'll see healthier birds, better soil, and more efficient farming.

Got questions or need more info? Reach out to us!

Our regenerative farm tech is designed by farmers, for farmers, and we're here to help you farm better with smart, sustainable solutions.