Chicken "Tractor" versus permanent run?

Briarpatch3 · Oct 21, 2014

I haven't had chickens in 30+ years. Before I had a permanent run & tried (for a short time) to free range during the day but lost too many and gave up. I've considered a Tractor so that I could move them around to fresh grass & bugs BUT I'm worried about something digging into it as it just sits on the ground and as you move it there will always be unlevel spots and on top of that my soil is sandy & easy digging.......
Is it worth the trouble or should I just build a permanent run that would be closer to my house & would have an apron?

MeghanChickLady · Oct 22, 2014

I would just build a permanent run near good grassy area. What I did was add on a large run, and if you do this with the right kind of fence, you can narrow it and make it longer for more grass, or shorten it and make it wider for more grass. Tell me what you decide!

-Hope I helped

RWD · Oct 22, 2014

We are believers in "portable chicken coops" for many reasons :
1. Able to move every few days to fresh ground, grass, clean soil, etc..
2. Always shaded, and protected from rain. No more muddy runs.
3. Constant protection from predators.
4. Easy to relocate into the garden in the winter to help fertilize and till up for the spring.
5. Can be moved if you move to a new home.
6. Can be relocated easily due to future landscaping changes.
Portable coops are not to be confused with "tractors". Portable coops are tall enough to walk in and allows better access to your chickens. Portable coops are very substantial and cannot be blown over in a storm, or turned over during a dog attack.
Just my 2 cents.

Chicken "Tractor" versus permanent run?

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