building a "tractor coop" That is moved around with an actual tractor

[Baldchewy]

I am new member here and I am looking at building an A frame type tractor. I am lucky enough to own 26 Hp tractor. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with a larger tractor coop that could be moved around with the bucket of the tractor. I would like to make the coop large enough to accomodate 12 or so dual pupose birds. This would require a fair size A frame coop. I like the look and the strength of the Southern Agarian ark http://www.southernagrarian.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/arkIMG_0425_640x480.jpg

Much obliged,
Mathieu from Canada

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

My tractor was not A-frame type, but thought I'd post a photo anyway. I actually moved it with an old mini-van that doubled as the coop where the birds were confined during the night (lots of predators here in Colorado) but the design could be adapted to include a sheltered area pretty easily. If you were only using it in the summer to grow out some young birds, a tarp would probably be enough.



In this photo I had not yet built the man-door on the far end. The open end in the photo backed up against the back of the mini-van. I did add wheels to it that could be raised when the tractor was in place and lowered when I wanted to move the tractor. Here's a photo of it attached to the mini-van. I covered the entire top of the tractor (leaving the bottom section uncovered so a breeze could blow through) on hot and sunny days because the chickens were just huddling in the shade and not making use of the entire square footage.

 

[Baldchewy]

I do have to admit that this was my second design choice; it is a simple and effective approach. I am somewhat set on a tractor coop so that in following years if I would like to expand I could just use the tractor as a chicken day care during the day. I completely understand the predator problem; I think the only problem I do not have is bears. At this time I am not looking to winter the birds because of the cold and the snow. I agree that I could put a shelter on the backside. I suppose that I could also some type of arms tha fit into the bucket of the tractor for transportation.

Much obliged,
Mathieu from Canada

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: You could probably put some brackets on top and use a "Hay Spear" that would clamp onto the bucket, similar to this:

http://www.silverlakefabrication.com/balespearsubpage.html

 

[Baldchewy]

Yes! I was looking at getting a compost fork anyway with removable able spears. The whole assembly clamps on as you say. This is what I was thinking of that I also have access to up here in the North from Canada forks.com.

much obliged,
Mathieu