I didn't think of taking too many pictures until we had most of the frame done. I envisioned a 4Wx10Lx3H frame, with a 4x4x3 nest/roost attached at the end.
Here's some of the building materials
We took 10 foot 2x4 and cut them into 2x2. I used 4 of them for the length of the tractor.
Here's my poor man's saw horse
This is after the frame was done, and as the coop was being attached.
Here's my son building a small perch for the chicks
Here's our small Chick perch.
Here's a side view with our biggest roo.
I thought about 6 nest boxes, but read on BYC that that's WAY too many. I decided to go with 3. Here's the bottom.
The nests are about 16" wide 16" tall and 20" deep
I supported them with scrap wood.
I (sorta) cut 45º angels for the perches - It wasn't pretty, but neither are the chickens
Here's where I put in the 2x4 (large side up) perches in
I slapped some old removable bicycle tires on, with 6" bolts and wing nuts on the side
Here's the back with the back wall opening
The top also opens
The (almost) finished product
I still need to paint it, and this is what I envision the side to look like
Thoughts.
It's WAY heavy. Thought one guy could do it by himself with no wheels. It'll take at least 2 of us with the wheels.
I found out today that I need to shut the nests down until our hens are ready to lay. (else they'll learn to sleep/poop in the nest boxes). I may take them out and put another roost in.
I tried to put in 3 roosts (with the nest boxes) but one is sort of over the other one. May have some "duty on my neighbor" problems.
The book "Chicken Tractor" says I can house 10 hens in a 4x10 pen. Thought I could do 12 with a 4x10+4 hen house. I think I have too many, but time will tell. I'll watch close.
(constructive) comments? Be nice, this is my first attempt.
Here's some of the building materials
We took 10 foot 2x4 and cut them into 2x2. I used 4 of them for the length of the tractor.
Here's my poor man's saw horse
This is after the frame was done, and as the coop was being attached.
Here's my son building a small perch for the chicks
Here's our small Chick perch.
Here's a side view with our biggest roo.
I thought about 6 nest boxes, but read on BYC that that's WAY too many. I decided to go with 3. Here's the bottom.
The nests are about 16" wide 16" tall and 20" deep
I supported them with scrap wood.
I (sorta) cut 45º angels for the perches - It wasn't pretty, but neither are the chickens
Here's where I put in the 2x4 (large side up) perches in
I slapped some old removable bicycle tires on, with 6" bolts and wing nuts on the side
Here's the back with the back wall opening
The top also opens
The (almost) finished product
I still need to paint it, and this is what I envision the side to look like
Thoughts.
It's WAY heavy. Thought one guy could do it by himself with no wheels. It'll take at least 2 of us with the wheels.
I found out today that I need to shut the nests down until our hens are ready to lay. (else they'll learn to sleep/poop in the nest boxes). I may take them out and put another roost in.
I tried to put in 3 roosts (with the nest boxes) but one is sort of over the other one. May have some "duty on my neighbor" problems.
The book "Chicken Tractor" says I can house 10 hens in a 4x10 pen. Thought I could do 12 with a 4x10+4 hen house. I think I have too many, but time will tell. I'll watch close.
(constructive) comments? Be nice, this is my first attempt.
