Chicken Tractor Brooder?

[Laci7210]

I'm moving my flock in the chicken tractor into my big hen house and I was thinking about using the chicken tractor to brood my new chicks in? The sides are wire covered with tarps which fold down/up. The top is tin. Front is wire. I have a watermelon box in a shed already set up but I'm getting 30-40 chicks and I'm afraid they will outgrow the box very quickly.. Could I hang the heat lamp from the ceiling of the tractor? They would also have 4 nesting boxes to cuddle in if they need to. Ideas??

 

[TheChickenGirl1]

The tractor should be OK but you may need to baby proof it a little and predator proof. Like make sure the holes in the wire aren't large enough for the babies to get out, and make sure the bottom is anchored down or you have wire buried down on the sides so that predators can't dig under and get to them. I don't know if you already have something, but you might want to box up one end to make like a little house so they can go in there at night so they feel safe and so predators can't get to them at night. The heat lamp should be OK too, but make sure that it is high enough of the ground and not touching anything that could catch fire. Hope I helped!!

 

[Chick Charm]

You can make it work. . I have brooded & raised chicks successfully entirely outside in my tractors. I have the advantage of being in a very warm climate. Still no drafts are in order. You can do it and still have healthy birds. I have used the following tractor for this very purpose. The still need protection from the wind which your box should provide.

Wish ya the best.

 

[Laci7210]

Thank you so much! That REALLY helped!!

There is boards along the bottom and the wire is stapled to those. I will try to cover it up really good and try to put a small box or something in it. Will the nesting boxes work? There are roosting poles and 4 nesting boxes, all off of the ground. The whole thing is sheltered so they could sleep on the roosts without problems if they wanted. I'm excited!! They should arrive July 23! I'm running out of time!!

 

[Laci7210]

Chick charm- that's a very nice coop! Thank you for the advice!! I will try to put on a picture of my tractor tomorrow!

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Those little baby chicks can be such escape artists!! I have, just this morning, taken 3 hours to attach bird netting to the bottom of our chicken tractor. I found one escapee yesterday evening. And all the bottom of the chicken tractor has is chicken wire.
Mine are with their broody mama hen, but she can't protect the least beasties if she is still locked in the tractor, and they are out and about. Silly babies.

We have hawks, dogs, my cat, and some other critters that would love to munch on a little chicken nugget treat.

That roll of bird netting we purchased from amazon sure has been a blessing!

 

[chicken Jan]

these Tractors are open from the bottom, I have to be very careful while moving. 3 chicks in one and 6 in the other both groups with their respective mamas . They go nuts foraging in the grass when I water the grass inside the tractor. Not sleeping on the roosts yet, but do enjoy an occasional swing.

 

[Laci7210]

Thanks guys! My tractor is open at the bottom too so while the chicks were young I planned on putting it in one place and putting down bedding..

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Ours are two story, and fully enclosed with chicken wire around the sides and 2"x4" fencing on the bottom.