Should I get a tractor for "day outings"?

[Chicken-poodle]

Have 8 hens in our 150 sf run with coop inside. If I want them to spend some time in the yard eating bugs and saving me feed money, how hard is it to get them to come to the tractor in the morning and go back to the run at night? I can't let them free range due to predators, they must be contained. Plus I want them to have more variety in their lives. Will they come if I toss meal worms into the tractor? Then more mealworms to get them back into their home run with the coop? I didn't want a big tractor for portability sake, and also didn't want to spend too much. Is a 6x10 tractor too small to keep all 8 scratching all day? Should I divide the flock and alternate "outings" with some in it one day, the others the next day, or will this cause integration problems?

Also, if I move the tractor around, I don't want them to be hurt when I move the tractor, which would have a 2"x4" wire floor. I was thinking that the tractor could be made with a "foyer" with a floor, where I could get them in via an outside side door, they'd stay safe on the floored part while I moved the tractor, then there'd be an interior door that I could open to release them to the grass.

Here is a pic of the home setup, showing the door they'd have to go through to get to the tractor...

 

[nuthatched]

Honestly, you're not going to save much (barely any) money with your average yard and if you have a lawn, they'll destroy it.
6x10 is a good size but I wouldn't worry about any foyers, they'll move.

 

[Penpal]

Open the door so they can get into the mobile tractor. Close doors. Move tractor to where you want. They will learn quickly to move along with you.

I wouldn't spend much money on the tractor. You can make one using PVC pipe and it will be very light. I don't think they will destroy the lawn if you move them about.

 

[NatJ]

If I want them to spend some time in the yard eating bugs and saving me feed money, how hard is it to get them to come to the tractor in the morning and go back to the run at night? I can't let them free range due to predators, they must be contained. Plus I want them to have more variety in their lives. Will they come if I toss meal worms into the tractor? Then more mealworms to get them back into their home run with the coop?

The cost of the tractor, plus mealworms every day, will probably be more than any feed savings you would have. So if you want it for variety in their lives, that is fine, just don't plan on saving money.

Also, if I move the tractor around, I don't want them to be hurt when I move the tractor, which would have a 2"x4" wire floor.

Why would you put a wire floor on the tractor?

I agree that dragging the tractor with them in it, with the wire floor, has a good chance of pinching their toes & feet.

If you can skip that wire floor, you can just drag the tractor with chickens inside, and they will walk along as you go.

 

[Penpal]

I didn't read the wire floor. You don't need any kind of floor. If they are in the mobile tractor they also don't need mealworms. They will be finding earthworms, fleas, ticks, beetles, etc.