Chicken tractor and run

[Fluffychicky]

My little chooks will be making a move soon but will have to go from free ranging to penned. I would like to still give them space but funds are very limited, I need cheap but secure run ideas and I was wondering how big of a run for 9 chickens and how big of a chicken tractor for the same number. Also is a tractor a good substitute for free-range, will the chickens be as happy as they were free-ranging. I love my little babies and I want to give them the best but I'm just a poor college kid moving out for the first time so like I said money will be a concern. I would love anything any of you can help me with, thank you for your time.

 

[jmandawn]

Minimum 3 cu ft per chicken.

 

[chfite]

Typical recommendations for space are 4 square feet per chicken in the coop and 10 square feet per chicken in the run.

Chris

 

[Backyard Bob]

I will get you pictures of my runs next time I go outside!

 

[RonC]

After free ranging, no your chickens will not be happy in a tractor. Mine are confined to an eighty sq ft run. I had to get rid of three of my six because of aggression issues. They went from 13 sq ft each to 26 sq ft each and are good with that.They had gotten to free range for a couple of hours a day prior to being confined permanently before the issues started. Yours may do fine in the tractor, mine did not like the confinement.

 

[Fluffychicky]

Do you think a 16x20 or 20x20 run will be ok...I really wish I could free range them but fencing in the property is beyond my financial ability right now. How safe is it to free range them without a fence as long as I'm out there watching?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Wild predators shouldn't be a problem, but PET dogs often aren't deterred by human presence

Hawks can be a threat with you standing beside the birds

 

[Chickens R Us]

With free ranging you always take a chance, I free range mine with a mature rooster. My younger second flock has a big run but I also let them have fresh grass by using a chicken tractor.

 

[Fluffychicky]

Ok so a large run should be ok, it'll be the closest they get to being free ranging once we move. I have a big wyandotte rooster who is very watchful but the new location is in a more rural area and I have seen some massive raptors flying around, what kind of netting can I put over a 20x20 run and how can I keep the netting from sagging if leaves or snow gets on it?

 

[Chickens R Us]

I used chicken wire on my smaller run and used old metal poles from one of those tarp garages as support poles. My smaller run is 20'X50'