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I haven't updated my tractor or hen pages in ages, but I had time today between tilling the garden and planting some seeds to throw together the rig I built to move the tractor pretty easily. Here's some pics: This is the whole rig. Basically, a big lever with wheels and a hook. I think...

Nipple waterers just leak because the chickens are messy and throw water everywhere. It'll happen with any type of waterer, and I still have the nipple out in the run and it works well out there. I just don't want them getting water everywhere inside the henhouse area. The cup waterer just...

Quote: Thanks for the feedback! I'll post some pictures in the next couple of days. So far, it's working great. I would say, however, that the endless argument of how much space to give your chickens still bothers me, and I'd easily say that a tractor this size is the SMALLEST I'd go for...

Well, the halogen heating the nipple works fantastically. Tonight I installed the rest of the water system, worked out the little problems and put the tractor out for a 6F forecasted low tonight, to test. I have updated my page if anyone is interested...

Got it!! This is a 35 watt halogen, the lamp base is connected to the inside panel that's in place to cover most of the henhouse wall, so when the wall comes down in spring, so does the lamp! Sorry for the crappy picture quality, it's like 22F outside and snowing and my hands were frozen...

Quote: Yep, I remembered that, but I haven't thought up a good solution for it yet. I have a light bulb under a clay pot that radiates enough heat that the henhouse generally stays above freezing, so I imagine that will be enough when the chickens are out and about, and will be more than...

Quote: Yep, I have some styrofoam sheets cut that fit between the supports just under the corrugated pvc roof - they slide right in - I made 3 of them that covers the whole roof of the henhouse, and still maintains great ventilation. I don't think I'll need them unless it gets REALLY cold...

Well, it's been freakin cold outside but I put in the watering system tonight before it got too dark to work. In summary, I'm using a 2-gallon bucket with a gravity feed system supplying water to two nipples, one in the henhouse of my tractor and the other out in the run area. Water is fed to...

Quote: I haven't been able to post any new pictures, my wife lost the charger for the camera and I can't find it! So because of that, I've neglected to post any updates, sorry. They'll be 7 weeks old tomorrow. They're just as crazy as they were before, I gave them a couple of crickets...

Was able to throw the roof on and the rest of the hardware cloth. Ran out of screws but I thought I'd throw up a pic to share before I head out to buy the rest of the screws: And a pic of Jenny because she wouldn't stop staring at me. My wife says Jenny's a rooster.

This weekend kinda turned out to be a computer-free weekend, so I'm sorry I haven't updated anything or uploaded the sketchup file. I'm at work now, so no pics, but here's the sketchup file: http://rapidshare.com/files/304545637/tractor5.skp If I did it right. Yes, there's 9 sq ft indoor...

So, I've been monkeying around with the tractor, and decided the flimsy crappy plywood I used as a door wasn't gonna cut it. I took it off, and took it out back and shot it up with the rifle, and built a new henhouse door. I'm really pleased with the results, and wanted to brag! Made it...

I'm glad you like it! Yes, I'll upload my sketchup model to the web somewhere tonight and post a link. I've changed the design in little ways, here and there that makes things simpler and easier for construction. I'm actually working on the tractor right now (yeah I skipped work hah) and I'm...

Construction has begun! Here's a pic of my latest progress: I have made some small tweaks to the design here and there. I'll update my progress as I go on my BYC page.

Quote: Naw, that inside wall will be covered using hardware cloth, and I'll hang a panel in front of the mesh in the winter when I feel they need it. Do you ever have a problem with predators who actually dig under the frame to get inside? How wide is the apron? And what's a pop door?

Here it is, my final revision. Slanted roof to shed rain and snow, some overhang for added protection from the sun and elements, outside perch, changed the two upper side panels so they're fixed (no longer hinged for ventilation, it's probably not needed since I've got 2 open walls up on...

Quote: Not rain so much, but snow, yes, which I think is a bigger concern in this regard because it is heavier. I've sketched out a slanted roof modification: Not completed this idea yet, but I still plan on having hinged vent panels on both sides under the roof, it'll just be a bit more...

Quote: Oh no... I forgot about that! Back to the drawing board.. One possibility is reducing the height of the inside wall, and angling the roof down over the run. Oh, one thing I forgot to add to my drawing is what that crossbeam is for on the far run wall - it's for a perch attached to...

I feel like I'm spamming the forum with all my pics. Go ahead and flame me if that's the case, I don't mind. I'm just excited, and want to share my nearing-final revision of my tractor design for everyone's critical eyes. So, first is the general view with a man-prop for size comparison...

Quote: What would you suggest for peckproofing the roof? layer of poulty netting, maybe? Thanks, you're like Yoda of the chicken world.