Built a large chicken tractor.

[Howling hills]

Built this heavy thing, what do you think?

 

[Wicked Storm]

Built this heavy thing, what do you think?View attachment 2209171View attachment 2209176

Wowwwww that's so cool!! I love it!!
How do the chickens like it?

 

[TooCheep]

I have a smaller one- 4x7 for 3 chickens. How long have you had that tractor? Have you moved it much yet?

Here are some thoughts based on looking at it and from my own experience.

• You did a good job on security using the hardware cloth and fasteners. The biggest vulnerability of chicken tractors comes from digging predators at night. Static coops can use a metal fence "skirt" to protect against that, but we have to depend on the coop door for protection at night. Looks like your door is well designed for that.
• How are you moving that thing? Mine is heavy and hard to maneuver while being smaller. Are you using multiple people? Is it lighter than it looks? Are you using a mini-tractor?
• Do not. Do not. Do not move it while chickens are running around the grass. You will crush one sooner or later. I generally only move mine while the girls are free-ranging and make sure they aren't near the tractor when moving it.
• Does the ramp rest on the ground? Can you lift it up? Mine does rest on the ground and I have a pull rope to lift it before moving. Of course, I've forgotten that step and broken the hinges/ramp two times in the last three years.
• Where are you located? That coop may get awfully hot in the summer. You should add some more venting around the top. Use the hardware cloth and/or vent covers to protect the openings.
• After a little experience, you will come up with a schedule on how often to move the tractor. In my case, I learned that I have to move it every two days like clockwork. At two days, the ground is somewhat messy and the greens somewhat eaten, but the grass fully recovers after a few weeks and you'd never know chickens had been there. In fact, the grass grows back a little greener than the surrounding area due to the fertilizer. At three days, the girls do enough damage that the grass doesn't fully recover and I end up with bare spots. Figure out what your combination of tractor and chickens will handle.
• Looks like it will be a little awkward to get in and out. I understand that was a compromise to make a stronger frame. You might want to consider mounting a PVC feeder and waterer on the outside that you can refill easily so you don't have to climb in and out so often.
• I also have some thoughts about winter with tractors, but need an idea of your location first.

Good job and I hope it works as well for you as mine has for the last three years.

 

[Howling hills]

Wowwwww that's so cool!! I love it!!
How do the chickens like it?

With my week of chicken owning experience I'd say they love it

 

[3KillerBs]

Please report in a month or two about how moving it goes and how the wheel lifts work. My DH will want to know this.

 

[Howling hills]

I have a smaller one- 4x7 for 3 chickens. How long have you had that tractor? Have you moved it much yet?

Here are some thoughts based on looking at it and from my own experience.

• You did a good job on security using the hardware cloth and fasteners. The biggest vulnerability of chicken tractors comes from digging predators at night. Static coops can use a metal fence "skirt" to protect against that, but we have to depend on the coop door for protection at night. Looks like your door is well designed for that.
• How are you moving that thing? Mine is heavy and hard to maneuver while being smaller. Are you using multiple people? Is it lighter than it looks? Are you using a mini-tractor?
• Do not. Do not. Do not move it while chickens are running around the grass. You will crush one sooner or later. I generally only move mine while the girls are free-ranging and make sure they aren't near the tractor when moving it.
• Does the ramp rest on the ground? Can you lift it up? Mine does rest on the ground and I have a pull rope to lift it before moving. Of course, I've forgotten that step and broken the hinges/ramp two times in the last three years.
• Where are you located? That coop may get awfully hot in the summer. You should add some more venting around the top. Use the hardware cloth and/or vent covers to protect the openings.
• After a little experience, you will come up with a schedule on how often to move the tractor. In my case, I learned that I have to move it every two days like clockwork. At two days, the ground is somewhat messy and the greens somewhat eaten, but the grass fully recovers after a few weeks and you'd never know chickens had been there. In fact, the grass grows back a little greener than the surrounding area due to the fertilizer. At three days, the girls do enough damage that the grass doesn't fully recover and I end up with bare spots. Figure out what your combination of tractor and chickens will handle.
• Looks like it will be a little awkward to get in and out. I understand that was a compromise to make a stronger frame. You might want to consider mounting a PVC feeder and waterer on the outside that you can refill easily so you don't have to climb in and out so often.
• I also have some thoughts about winter with tractors, but need an idea of your location first.

Good job and I hope it works as well for you as mine has for the last three years.

I just built it I have moved it by myself although I choose to have my wife push on the egg box as I go. I saw larger wheels at the hardwear store , I think I will buy them to make it easier . I live in bc Canada so heat isn't the issue, but I would be keen for cold tips. I also build this off the side to house a feeder bucket/ water system if you have any ideas. The ramp is not on the ground I simply atactched to the top side of the 2x6 that makes the frames base. Ramps on a hinge so I am considering mounting it on a rope as a draw bridge so it can double as a door.

 

[TooCheep]

I just built it I have moved it by myself although I choose to have my wife push on the egg box as I go. I saw larger wheels at the hardwear store , I think I will buy them to make it easier .
Larger wheels roll easier over uneven ground, so that is a good idea if you have trouble.

I live in bc Canada so heat isn't the issue, but I would be keen for cold tips.
The topic of handling the cold is an involved one, so I'll answer that separately below.

I also build this off the side to house a feeder bucket/ water system if you have any ideas.
I like this design for the chicken feeder. There are other designs you can find on YouTube if you search for "pvc chicken feeder". It would be best if the feed openings are under the coop so that it is protected from rain.
I couldn't find anything like my waterer on YouTube. It is shaped like the chicken feeder, but using water nipples at the bottom like in this video. That unheated setup is great for the moving around, but doesn't work in winter. When I park my tractor for the winter, then I remove the PVC waterer and switch to an electric-heated bucket (like this) inside the coop with the same nipples added. It works fine here, but I'm not sure it would work with your cold. I'd ask some Canadians if that or some other solution is better in winter.

The ramp is not on the ground I simply atactched to the top side of the 2x6 that makes the frames base. Ramps on a hinge so I am considering mounting it on a rope as a draw bridge so it can double as a door.
That sounds good.

I've added responses in the quote box.

 

[TooCheep]

Since some questions/answers like this depend on location, I recommend you go to your account page and put in your general location.

We have some cold here in Indiana, but not like Canada. Check the following suggestions, but I recommend reading other threads or asking other Canadians how they handle the cold.

Many breeds are cold hardy, so hopefully you've selected them for that characteristic. I know the barred rocks are one such breed.

When you start getting ice/snow, you won't really be able to move your tractor regularly. Unless you have a regular coop/run to move them into (I don't), then you'll need to park your tractor somewhere and use it for a coop/run for the winter. At that point, I cover the run area with plastic wrap. Chickens can handle a fair amount of cold (feathers are good insulation), but direct cold winds are the hardest on them. Be sure to leave some open area in the plastic for ventilation (yes, even in the cold).

I collect a bunch of leaves in plastic bags in the fall and use the deep litter method in the run during the winter. It really helps with the poo and creates excellent organic compost for gardening in the spring.

I know my chickens can handle it colder, but I'm a softy and when the temperature gets down below 10F/-12C, I give them a heating pad in the coop at night.

As noted in my reply above, you will need some form of heat to keep your water flowing.

That's all I have. Others can help with questions about more extreme cold. Good luck and enjoy your girls.