Best Chicken Tractor A-Round

Pop

In the Brooder
10 Years
Apr 13, 2009
50
45
29
Take an old stock tank, 3 aluminum satellite dishes, couple of iron wagon wheels, rear wheel from a riding mower, 2 never flat bicycle wheels, couple of cattle panels, 2 x 4's, welded wire, chicken wire, T-111 siding, styrofoam insulation, discarded commercial gym set (pvc with metal pipe inserts), etc. etc.
After losing 3 different flocks over the past 2 years to raccoons and coyotes on the very nights that I didn't lock the chickens up I knew something different was needed. Also figured into this decision was the fact that by mid-summer the entire garden pen area (about 2000 sq. ft.) was cleaned of any vegetation that was eatable. A mobile enclosed coop and run seemed to be the answer. I used the stock tank in this configuration (first picture) last year for baby chicks so decided to re-build this. Removed and replaced the wall studs with longer studs allowing me to stand up inside the coop. The satellite dish was re-installed and styrofoam insulation was fitted between each of the aluminum ribs. The center of the dish was enlarged for the turbine mounting which would come later. Siding was installed and two double egg nests were constructed. The second satellite dish was installed over the original which securely holds the styrofoam in place and also provides some overhang to further protect everything. To facilitate moving this monster around I placed the iron wagon wheels on each side of the coop. These were built with a pivot mount so that with the aid of a short piece of pipe I could pivot each wheel down for about 3 inches of ground clearance. I also felt that their weight would be helpful in the Texas winds. The 5' X 7' run was built out of the gym set and covered with welded wire then 1" chicken wire. This run was securely bolted to the tank and a pivotable, steerable mower wheel was installed on the front of the run and has proven to be a solid unit and easily moved with a riding mower. To allow a little more raoming room for the ladies I took the third satellite dish and circled it with 2 cattle panels and a small garden galvanized gate. Top and sides were covered with 1" chicken wire with the goal of keeping the wild birds and other varmints out. A small chicken opening was cut in the very back and that can be backed up to the chicken tractor which has a small hinged gate on the right side next to the front wheel. Shows a interior view and is a view of one of the nest boxes open. I've found the best way to move the chicken tractor is to close the chickens in the tank (sliding door between the tank and pen). This way I don't have to worry about a chicken leg getting caught in the wire while moving. When it's time to move I just make sure to close the gate after the ladies have retired for the night.
The pictures are all over the place and I have no idea how to move them around. Suggestions anyone?
 
I assume you need a tractor to move this thing????
tongue.png

I tried to build a tractor out of two cattle panels and just decided to make it a permanent (non-portable) pen instead.
 
Quote:
If the grass is mowed I can move it by myself but at 63 I usually just hook up the riding mower. The cattle panel portion is easily moved by hand. The bicycle wheels are on lawnmower height adjustment gizmo's so I can raise the bottom off of the ground. The blue thing leaning up against the panels hooks into an eyebolt on the bottom-tilt it down and pull it wherever the grass is greener.

Info I forgot to mention.
The stock tank provides about 38 sq. ft. and has roosts that can be set at 2 different levels. They're in the lower position now as the chicks are only 4 weeks old.

The pen portion is 35 sq. ft. and the circular pen is 78 sq. ft.

At present there are 15 chicks so it may get a little crowded when they're grown. We have a completely fenced in rural acreage so I can let them free range. The only times that I've had varmint problems was at night when I was too lazy to lock them up.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom