Chicken Run for Winter - A-Frame Chicken Tractor

[Momo7]

We use an A-Frame Chicken Tractor (coop up top) for our hens but in the winter, we need to park it and add additional space for them to have a run (I think). So now is the time for us to decide how to go about this. My husband wants to repurpose fencing materials we have already and use t-posts to create a run but I'm concerned about ground predators. We just lost 8 of our 19 chickens to a predator in one night - I dumbly let them free range during evening hours. Thus, I would like to lean towards getting a Premier 1 Poultrynet Plus fence. However, that leaves me with how to keep aerial predators away. Any suggestions/thoughts you all have would be welcome.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Where, in general, are you located? I love my electric netting all year here in central NC where our version of winter *might* include measurable snow once or twice a year. But if you get deep snow it will short out.

I personally accept the fact that I *could* have hawk losses as a tradeoff for the convenience and flexibility. Many people do not want to risk losses and create a covered run -- with a roof or anti-hawk netting.

 

[Momo7]

Thanks! We are in mid-Missouri. We get colder than NC where you are but not a whole lot of snow most years. Last year, definitely more than usual. What electric fencing do you have? I was also thinking of these benefits as well. My husband, understandably, is looking at the $$. Like many here, we have a LOT of money into these chickens as is.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks! We are in mid-Missouri. We get colder than NC where you are but not a whole lot of snow most years. Last year, definitely more than usual. What electric fencing do you have? I was also thinking of these benefits as well. My husband, understandably, is looking at the $$. Like many here, we have a LOT of money into these chickens as is.

I have the Premier 1 48" Poultry Plus netting.

 

[Alaskan]

Could you park it up against another building?

Then it would be easy to make a lean-to type roof with just scrap materials that would give the chickens some snow free/rain free sheltered area.

I have found the premier 1 products to be excellent quality, I haven't had their poultry net... but the posts and such I got from them are great.

 

[Momo7]

I meant to attach a picture of the tractor.... We have plans to put polycarbonate where all the fencing is, except for some for ventilation - will remove the tarp. This will shield them from the elements and allow sunlight in so should help with heating it too. The run is 80 sq feet but I wanted to give them more since it will be parked and I know it will get nasty. I assume chickens still go out in the winter? We really want to park it in our current garden space so we don't tear up more grass.

 

[Alaskan]

I meant to attach a picture of the tractor.... We have plans to put polycarbonate where all the fencing is, except for some for ventilation - will remove the tarp. This will shield them from the elements and allow sunlight in so should help with heating it too. The run is 80 sq feet but I wanted to give them more since it will be parked and I know it will get nasty. I assume chickens still go out in the winter? We really want to park it in our current garden space so we don't tear up more grass.


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It would be nice if the entire front was left open for ventilation.... but that might mean you need to stick it in a sheltered location so snow doesn't blow in.