RedTailRanch6
In the Brooder
- Apr 28, 2015
- 32
- 1
- 34
I have been thinking of putting together a chicken tractor (exact design TBD) for some time now. As one of my favorite pullets seems to have been ostracized from the flock, it seems like a good time to build a secondary coop/run to keep her with some of the friendlier pullets. (see explanatory thread here).
The issue is that the best place to put a chicken tractor is down by my creek on a large grassy "terrace" right above the creek. With the California drought and my creek still having a BIT of water, this has become a super highway for deer and, of more concern: raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions. With that in mind, I have a few questions around best practices that would make my particular situation work with a chicken tractor:
1. My property is about 3.2 acres but is in a somewhat-steep valley. The property is terraced so while there are plenty of places to put the chicken tractor on flat ground, getting it there would be tricky/steep for some locations. Is there a design that might make this more feasible? I am considering something that can either be carried (two people), put in a truck bed, or carried with a tractor. I worry that something on wheels could get away from me on a steep hill.
2. With the predators in mind, I worry about a small tractor being an easy target. Any ideas on how to predator proof a smaller chicken tractor? While not ideal, there is a possibility of bringing the girls in each night, but it would be a bit of a hike and not ideal.
3. Is there a design that could allow this to become a permanent home for 2-3 hens? As I said, one of my favorite pullets is having a very difficult time fitting in with the flock (6 total). In reality, it is one hen who is particularly aggressive with her. The main coop consists of a 15 x 20 run with a 6 x 6 hen house. Its all about 6' tall with plenty of room to fly/climb/roost so I would have thought it was plenty for 6 pullets...but I guess not.
Any help much appreciated!
The issue is that the best place to put a chicken tractor is down by my creek on a large grassy "terrace" right above the creek. With the California drought and my creek still having a BIT of water, this has become a super highway for deer and, of more concern: raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions. With that in mind, I have a few questions around best practices that would make my particular situation work with a chicken tractor:
1. My property is about 3.2 acres but is in a somewhat-steep valley. The property is terraced so while there are plenty of places to put the chicken tractor on flat ground, getting it there would be tricky/steep for some locations. Is there a design that might make this more feasible? I am considering something that can either be carried (two people), put in a truck bed, or carried with a tractor. I worry that something on wheels could get away from me on a steep hill.
2. With the predators in mind, I worry about a small tractor being an easy target. Any ideas on how to predator proof a smaller chicken tractor? While not ideal, there is a possibility of bringing the girls in each night, but it would be a bit of a hike and not ideal.
3. Is there a design that could allow this to become a permanent home for 2-3 hens? As I said, one of my favorite pullets is having a very difficult time fitting in with the flock (6 total). In reality, it is one hen who is particularly aggressive with her. The main coop consists of a 15 x 20 run with a 6 x 6 hen house. Its all about 6' tall with plenty of room to fly/climb/roost so I would have thought it was plenty for 6 pullets...but I guess not.
Any help much appreciated!
