Chicken Tractor- my plans, Please help?

[Baymule]

The tractor will be parked close by, in the "Crook" between the house an garage. Not much wind at all. The wood sides will have blue foam insulation (like for houses), so will the top of the "enclosed" area. Clear visquene (Thick plastic sheeting) will drop down over the uncovered area. If they seem to be in stress or cold, I will bring the whole thing into the garage.

On the blue foam insulation, if the chickens can get to it, they will peck and eat it. No one knows why styrofoam is such a chicken treat, but it is. You might get some more pvc ideas on www.pvcplans.com

 

[justcelia]

Its going to have paneling inside.
Plywood then Insulation then Paneling.
Only one end will be heavy and I will put the wheels there.
I remember all the things my dad's chickens tried to eat! LOL!
(Grew up on a farm in Texas, but didn't pay enough attention)

Celia

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

All sounds good EXCEPT you mentioned "1 inch chicken wire (hardware cloth?)"

There is a HUGE difference between chicken wire and hardware cloth. You will here over and over, chicken wire keeps the chickens in but nothing out.

You need to make sure to use 1/4" welded hardware cloth if you want your tractor to be preditor proof.

Here is a picture of my dog house turned chicken tractor in my front yard that houses 3-4 banties.

Hardware cloth over all openings and aproned out so nothing can dig under the run.

 

[justcelia]

Yep, Thats what we are using. Welded wire cloth. 1/4 inch squares. I didn't know what to call it.
I remember my dad using regular "chicken wire" and critters getting the chickens a LOT. (seemed like a lot, anyway).

We dont get many critters. We are in the city, have a 6' privacy fence, have motion lights and a dog.
The dog is inside at night but urinates all over. LOL!
(told my BF to "go" areound the perimiter, but haven't talked him into it yet LOL!)
Love your set up! Great!

Thanks for all the help!
Celia

 

[justcelia]

Just got a Jimmy full of 2x4's and 1x2's. Enough to buid the new chicken tractor. 4'x6' and 3' tall. Egg box on back, extending out, with door to get eggs without opening full pen. The back 3' will be "coop" area. Plywood, insulation then paneling.

All of roof will be hinged, to get inside as needed. (with an inside top door over enclosed area). That way, when we open the full top, heat can stay inside coop area.

Just have to buy the insulation (probably that blue foam board that goes on before you put siding up), and the roofing.
The roof will be corrugated Plastic/fiberglass (clear) sheets. (like tin roof only not metal)

6" slope from one side of tractor to the other, hinged on 6' side, for rain/snow removal. The "angle" at both ends will be screened for ventilation. If that ends up not enough, we can add more small ventilation areas. All will be closable, depending on wind, etc.

Coop area will be 3'X4' and 3' high. 2x4 running across the 4' span (flat side for chicken feet) as a roost.
Wheels will be on coop end and "handles" on the other to move the tractor.

Open area will have thick plastic to cover open sides for cold/windy days.

Chickens will also have the run of the yard as they wish.

Any input would be appreciated! I want healthy happy chickens! (this is for 2 Brahma hens now, may add one more later)
Celia

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Sounds good.

Do you already have the hens? If you are buying them to put in there, I would put in 3 in case something happens to 1 of them, you wouldn't end up with a loaner.

Can't wait to see pictures as you progress.

 

[ndemerly]

The biggest thing is portability, make sure it's easy to move. If you don't you'll be sorry for it later. Also, to work with the snow/live load weight you could use 2x6 instead of 2x4 or make the rise/run higher than it is now.

 

[justcelia]

If anything should happen to one of the hens, we will replace her asap.
as far as the snow load, we would keep it cleaned off (boyfriend is OCD, LOL!)
They will also have run of the yard on the paths he plowes for the dog.

I can't go any higher. I have to work with what we have.

Thanks for the input. I have learned so much here!

cELIA

 

[Cargo]

Sounds like you have made a lot of great changes from the original plan.

 

[BWKatz]

Sounds like ur making progress.