My first chicken tractor was made from pine and treated lumber (for the roof). I purchased Catawba plans and modified it into a 4' version. I came very close to keeping this one for our three chicks but decided to sell it and use the proceeds to make another one in order to break even.
Here's my next tractor. It is a full version Catawba painted in barn colors. I think it turned out super cute but the painting added a lot of time onto the project. The Catawba is a great plan and an easy build.
This is a picture of my first cedar chicken tractor. Although I found several companies selling cedar chicken coops, I was hesitant to build one after reading that cedar wood chips are harmful to chickens. I did some research and discovered that most people agree that the dangers from cedar wood chips is due to the vast area of surface that the aromatic chips have. My chicks have been happy and healthy in their new coop. The cedar is fun and pretty to work with and I have built several more since my first one.
This shows one side panel removed. Both side panels are removable and have gate pull handles to assist in lifting them up and out. I also added metal clips to help keep the panels on even during a vigorous wind storm or agressive animal.
This is a picture of the nest end. I only have one nest box since this is ideally going to be used for two or three chickens. Both run doors open and are removable. The nest box end is also removable but can stay open as pictured. I have since modified the design a bit and make the nest opening a little higher and my cedar slats are closer together. The second tier on the roof has also been modified to a tighter and cleaner angle.
The triangle design for the Catawba consists of sixty degree angles. I modified my cedar tractor design with different angles in order to allow more height in the coop and the run. The coop is 23" high and the run is 22".
More to come...
Here's my next tractor. It is a full version Catawba painted in barn colors. I think it turned out super cute but the painting added a lot of time onto the project. The Catawba is a great plan and an easy build.
This is a picture of my first cedar chicken tractor. Although I found several companies selling cedar chicken coops, I was hesitant to build one after reading that cedar wood chips are harmful to chickens. I did some research and discovered that most people agree that the dangers from cedar wood chips is due to the vast area of surface that the aromatic chips have. My chicks have been happy and healthy in their new coop. The cedar is fun and pretty to work with and I have built several more since my first one.
This shows one side panel removed. Both side panels are removable and have gate pull handles to assist in lifting them up and out. I also added metal clips to help keep the panels on even during a vigorous wind storm or agressive animal.
This is a picture of the nest end. I only have one nest box since this is ideally going to be used for two or three chickens. Both run doors open and are removable. The nest box end is also removable but can stay open as pictured. I have since modified the design a bit and make the nest opening a little higher and my cedar slats are closer together. The second tier on the roof has also been modified to a tighter and cleaner angle.
The triangle design for the Catawba consists of sixty degree angles. I modified my cedar tractor design with different angles in order to allow more height in the coop and the run. The coop is 23" high and the run is 22".
More to come...
