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Dimensions for The Prairie Cruiser: 5 feet wide by 8 feet long, 4 feet up at the peak. We are using mostly recycled wood.
Early February, 2023: We started building using a hacksaw, which got very tiring. We were also using an old, heavy, corded screw-gun. We borrowed a circular saw and bought a new battery powered screw gun, and it's safe to say we moved a lot more quickly. After sitting in the garage for a few days, we got two days of 60 degree weather, so we took our project outside to paint. We painted it using plain white barn and fence paint. While outside, we also built two nesting boxes onto the back. Each of the nesting boxes measure 13" x 13", and 14" tall towards the back. We also attached the wheels and a handle for pulling the tractor, which will be done everyday to new grass. We attached the hardware mesh onto the run side, except for the front, which we still need to build a door into.
Late February, 2023: We got our 9 chicks! 1 Barred Plymouth Rock pullet, 1 Buff Orpington Pullet, 1 Black Australorp pullet, 2 Ameraucana pullets, 2 Cochin bantams, and 2 Silkie bantams.
Early-Mid March, 2023: After being untouched for a couple of weeks, we got the hardware mesh and the door finished on the front. We made a few adjustments to make the door fit right, and painted them. The back wall was, finally, cut out and attached to the tractor. The tractor itself is finished. We also built a frame to elevate the tractor and it'll essentially turn into a full-blown coop for the winter. We'll incorporate a sliding-out poop board, and the chickens will have access to the run underneath when they can't free range. However, we've been thinking. The coop side of the tractor measures 5' x 4'. That isn't enough coop space for 9 chickens. We've decided that we are going to extend the roof for the whole length of the coop, and have removable walls on the side closest to the door, for ventilation during the summer. We also need a different handle to pull the tractor with, and a better wheel system. Right now they're just attached to the tractor, leaving a small gap in between the tractor and the ground. We want to make a lever system so that we can get rid of that gap. But for now, until next time!
Article updated March 18, 2023. We will update as this project continues.
Dimensions for The Prairie Cruiser: 5 feet wide by 8 feet long, 4 feet up at the peak. We are using mostly recycled wood.
Early February, 2023: We started building using a hacksaw, which got very tiring. We were also using an old, heavy, corded screw-gun. We borrowed a circular saw and bought a new battery powered screw gun, and it's safe to say we moved a lot more quickly. After sitting in the garage for a few days, we got two days of 60 degree weather, so we took our project outside to paint. We painted it using plain white barn and fence paint. While outside, we also built two nesting boxes onto the back. Each of the nesting boxes measure 13" x 13", and 14" tall towards the back. We also attached the wheels and a handle for pulling the tractor, which will be done everyday to new grass. We attached the hardware mesh onto the run side, except for the front, which we still need to build a door into.
Late February, 2023: We got our 9 chicks! 1 Barred Plymouth Rock pullet, 1 Buff Orpington Pullet, 1 Black Australorp pullet, 2 Ameraucana pullets, 2 Cochin bantams, and 2 Silkie bantams.
Early-Mid March, 2023: After being untouched for a couple of weeks, we got the hardware mesh and the door finished on the front. We made a few adjustments to make the door fit right, and painted them. The back wall was, finally, cut out and attached to the tractor. The tractor itself is finished. We also built a frame to elevate the tractor and it'll essentially turn into a full-blown coop for the winter. We'll incorporate a sliding-out poop board, and the chickens will have access to the run underneath when they can't free range. However, we've been thinking. The coop side of the tractor measures 5' x 4'. That isn't enough coop space for 9 chickens. We've decided that we are going to extend the roof for the whole length of the coop, and have removable walls on the side closest to the door, for ventilation during the summer. We also need a different handle to pull the tractor with, and a better wheel system. Right now they're just attached to the tractor, leaving a small gap in between the tractor and the ground. We want to make a lever system so that we can get rid of that gap. But for now, until next time!
Article updated March 18, 2023. We will update as this project continues.
