A-frame tractor/coops? Where can I see pics and plans?

[dftkarin]

I have searched through pages and pages of posts on this board (and enjoyed every minute of it!) but I'm really wanted to see and study A-framed movable coops suitable for housing 5 heavy chickens in extreme winters (New England). Is there an old post or a site or any way to look at coops of that design? I like the idea of a run on the bottom and the coop along the top part - like those English $1000 - coops, of the Organic Gardening 'movable coop'.

 

[Karlachix]

Here's a page on BYC w/ info on tractors.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/chickencoops4-chicken-tractors.php

Here's the page with small coops.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/chickencoops1.php

I hope that helps!!

 

[coffeelady3]

Here's a site that has TONS of pics of different kinds of tractors. You might at least get some ideas from this site.

http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/tractors.html

At one time I did a pretty exhaustive search for plans, but couldn't find any for free. There were a couple out there that you could pay for, but I'm too cheap.

Good luck.

 

[seminolewind]

My DH built me a tractor. It has been nothing but problems, although beautiful. It rains in because of the slants. So I put doors on it that open like wings. Then it rained thru the space from the hinges. So I put plastic over it. In the winter it was cold, so I threw a comforter over it and pinned it down. It had the nests up top, and they never used them. It had all day sun until I put the doors on and kept them open with 2x4's.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have made something different. So think about it before you build.

 

[bookchick]

I have a locally-built version of a catawba coop. It was really inexpensive, but if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't do it.

It is heavy enough to last but only takes 2 people to move.
For predator safety, I added a wire skirt and that hinders moving it as easily and I have to stake/unstake down the skirt at each move.
We do allow the chickens to free range for a few hours daily. With only one door access to the bottom, the chickens charge the door to go out when I only want to change the feeder and waterer.
I live in Florida and I find the upstairs area is probably unbearably hot for the chickens even in full shade. No ventilation. We had a special frame made with 1/2" hardware cloth to fit upstairs to cool it off a bit, but it is not predator safe.
I have six 7 week old chickens in it now, but I really can't see more than 3-4 large breed chickens being happy in the 8 foot long tractor. I might have another coop built soon.
My chickens eat every single blade of grass under the coop in 24-48 hours, so soon I won't have any grass left in my smallish backyard. I find free-ranging to be a better choice to keep damage limited to manageable amounts, which kinda negates the reason for a moveable ark/tractor.

I will definitely keep this tractor in case I ever need to separate my chickens for whatever reason, or if I ever have youngsters that need to be integrated with older hens. But, I don't see myself using this design indefinitely as my girls grow up.

Just my 2-cents!

 

[channel12001]

Here is a pic of mine that I built this year, it is kind of a tractor/permanent coop hybrid....let me know if it helps I could give you some hints...

 

[Bellasmom]

After paint and with wire

The beginning of the new one

Almost done

That's my hubby who worked in the heat to get that one done so I could seperate my hens who were fighting and drawing blood.

 

[outlawfarmer]

I am happy with mine that I built here in New Hampshire. I havent gotten eggs yet but only another month or so and I should be eating fresh eggs for breakfast. The birds seem happy. Its a grump to move but a second set of wheels in the back will help if i get around to it. OR you could not make it 7 foot long and 5 feet tall. (see more pics of it on my profile page)

 

[bookchick]

Bellasmom & 12001: I love that extra side-access door! I will have to add one to mine to make my life easier!

Oh, and to update my earlier post, if you do gardening in beds, I think the tractor is a great idea because you can protect your girls as they till and eat the bugs without them getting into areas of the garden you don't want them in.

 

[mgw]

you can see ours on my BYC page . We built it way to heavy also need to come up with a better tire set up . Just somethings to think about good luck!!