Building the chicken tractor as inexpensively as possible.

[weekendskp]

Most of the materials for my chicken tractor were laying around taking up space anyway, so when I decided to build one, I scavenged as much material as possible for free. For the frame, I picked up some store shelving (1" square tubular steel) from a store that was going out of business, and welded a 6'x12' box with a roof that slopes to one side. The neighbor tore down a deck and gave me the old wood. Aside from having to pull all the nails before cutting; hey, it was free. the corrugated roofing also came from a tear down so it already had screw holes. the wheels were from an old soap box derby car that one of my children built 10 years ago. The feeder I made from a five gallon bucket screwed onto an oil pan (clean). I did have to buy two sheets of plywood, hooks, plexiglass for the window, and a gravity water container.

 

[plucker]

Sounds cool! Hope you post some pics.

I just finished my "free" coop today made from scavenged materials (see White Trash Coop thread). Mine doesn't sound as nice, or big, as yours but, hey, free is free, right?

 

[weekendskp]

Here is my completed chicken tractor.

 

[CopperCT]

That's really nice. Congrats!!

 

[countrychix]

Weekendskp, how do you move that thing, it's huge! Good job though.

 

[wekiva bird]

It looks big. you did a great job

 

[MamaChic21]

very nice, who do you move that ?

 

[weekendskp]

Quote:
Because it's mostly steel framed, it's not that heavy. there are wheels at one end, and handle on the other. If I have to move it very far, I hitch it to the back of a 4 wheeler, and pull it.

Here is a pic of the business end.

 

[chickengal30]

Wow, that is super - well done! Do you have your birds yet? Ive just got my first four, there two weeks old. Gotta love em!!

oops, just re-read it, you have six chickens..... oh well, great tractor!!!