About the Small Mobile Pens

[RollTideChicken]

Some look like they have fencing on the bottom some don't. If there is no wire underneath how would that be predator-proof? If there is wire, what type and how long could it last being wet and pooped on all the time?
Thanks!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Nope, no wire underneath... Not perfectly predator proof, but at least some predator resistance. The house that's attached (at least mine), still gets its' door closed every night and daytime digging predators aren't an issue for me.

Wire on the bottom would need to be 1/2 galvanized hardware cloth. It will eventually rust, but last quite a while (no rust so far in 2 years in the PNW). However, it would prevent the chickens from being able to scratch and such which defeats the purpose of having a mobile pen. Also, the poo would likely build up rapidly instead of falling through.

 

[RollTideChicken]

Thanks! I was thinking that but talked myself into doubt.
I have chain-link fencing, so we don't get big predators. Opossums and coons though...we do get those.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

We have them too. But I haven't had them try to dig under YET. You never know when I will face something new though.

Also weasels are a major problem and can fit through anywhere you can push a quarter through.

I know plenty of people who raise meaties in open bottom pens with the extra security of housing. Turn out RATS are chicken predators as well and will eat them alive.

 

[Dayrel]

Nope, no wire underneath... Not perfectly predator proof, but at least some predator resistance. The house that's attached (at least mine), still gets its' door closed every night and daytime digging predators aren't an issue for me.

Yup. Chicken tractors generally don't have ideal protection from digging predators. I use an automatic door to protect my girls at night as both possums and raccoons are nocturnal predators. It is a trade-off. The girls get continuous access to fresh greens, the yard gets fertilized rather than keeping all the poo in a confined space, but there is a moderate reduction in security.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Some people have aprons on their tractors, either removable or they raise them up when they move the tractor. It's more inconvenient when they move but some people want the additional protection.

Another good protection is electric netting around the area. That stops climbing and digging predators. The tractor is just for roosting and egg laying. With the netting that allows the chickens to roam during the day you don't have to move it nearly as often. I had an owl walk into one inside netting one night and take a chicken so closing the door is certainly an added protection.

 

[MrsChicky55]

Any thoughts on the best way to attach an apron you can lift when you move the tractor?

 

[Ridgerunner]

For a removable one I could see attaching screw eyes to the bottom of the tractor and attaching a piece of wire to a 2x2 or 2x4. Match up with screw eyes in this 2x and use carabiners or something similar to attach it.

I could see getting a long bolt and having it stick out from the bottom of the tractor. Drill holes in that 2x with the apron and use washers and butterfly nuts to attach it.

To make something you can just raise up, attach the wire to the tractor up a bit off the ground and put a hook or screw eye up high on the side of the tractor. Use a pretty flexible wire like hardware cloth and use string or wire to tie that up when you move it.

With any of these remember to overlap the corners.

That's off the top of my head. I'm sure others can come up with other ways.

 

[MrsChicky55]

I was thinking something along the lines of the second option. Attaching hardware cloth via zip ties and having a way of tying it up during moving. Anyone tried something along these lines, worked out the kinks?

 

[Dayrel]

I'd be curious about a practical skirt solution. Moving is already involved enough and is also dependent on how many obstacles (trees, gardens, fences, etc) you need to navigate around.