8x12-15 chicken tractor?

[ButtonquailGirl14]

hey guys! im curious if anyone has ever built a tractor this big, and if so, do you have pics? I am planning to make it large, because my run attached to the coop isn't properly sized to my coop... the current coop size is for up to 20 hens (8x10x7) ,and the run is 8x10x6... I want to make it 8x12-15 to complete the lack of run... like put them on fresh grass, but also have the option to park it on my current run to complete the space requirements…. any help appreciated!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've seen cattle panel coops that are that big, maybe that's an option?

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Thanks! I have seen big ones, but not sure how well they worked as they were just photos

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I know nothing about this. But my Dear Partner the carpenter says that anything built with steel studs will be much lighter in weight. They are usually only used in commercial building, and I think require some specialized tools.

Probably not very helpful, although I believe weight is an issue.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Thanks! my dad probably has those tools....he is a "DIY guy" before it was coolhe is literally the handiest guy I have ever met! he operates small cranes and loads the shipping boats, he built (and is still building) our house, he is a mechanic, can fix any electronic, loves animals and farming, researches everything, is amazing at math, and cooks like a pro!

 

[rosemarythyme]

There was a guy on here who built a pretty massive tractor, like 2000 lbs, which had to be towed with a truck. Let's see... https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-flying-fortress-chicken-tractor.1213066/

Haven't seen him around since but he had pretty detailed info on his threads so maybe you can find some inspiration there.

 

[aart]

The biggest issue with big tractors(or any really) is the wheels/tires,
they need to be wide and a large diameter.
8x12' is going to be heavy and hard to move, the bumpier and softer the ground the harder it will be.
This ~8x8 hoop coop that I built and sold,
worked great on my 'lawn', but didn't fare as well on the buyers rough pasture.
Romance meets Reality.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Thanks! we have a pretty flat lawn, and clover pasture, so it shouldn't be too bumpy at all.. but yes, the size is what concerned me the most.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

There was a guy on here who built a pretty massive tractor, like 2000 lbs, which had to be towed with a truck. Let's see... https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-flying-fortress-chicken-tractor.1213066/

Haven't seen him around since but he had pretty detailed info on his threads so maybe you can find some inspiration there.

luckily for me all this has to be is wire with a floor and doors frame! it would be much, much lighter! since mine wouldn't include nest boxes, heavy feeders, roosts, walls for wind protection, to name a few.... Thanks!

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

The biggest issue with big tractors(or any really) is the wheels/tires,
they need to be wide and a large diameter.
8x12' is going to be heavy and hard to move, the bumpier and softer the ground the harder it will be.
This ~8x8 hoop coop that I built and sold,
worked great on my 'lawn', but didn't fare as well on the buyers rough pasture.
Romance meets Reality.

thanks! I had seen this and was curious how big it was!