Chicken Tractor

[MrPepers]

I have always wanted to free range my birds but I can't because of predators. I have recently been considering building a chicken tractor and was wondering if anyone had any designs/ideas/tips or tricks on making them. Also, would guinea fowl do well in a chicken tractor?

 

[PD-Riverman]

I have always wanted to free range my birds but I can't because of predators. I have recently been considering building a chicken tractor and was wondering if anyone had any designs/ideas/tips or tricks on making them. Also, would guinea fowl do well in a chicken tractor?

Yes to both. If you want something simple to move here are some easy/some-what cheap to build ones. 1st pic I have a couple like it I been using over 20 years---the next pic I have some of those and I been using them 10+ years. Both types have nesting boxes on one end. I have some bigger tractors too. 3rd pic is my biggest tractor and can be moved by hand on level ground in about 2 minutes---pen and coop as one unit, it has a 210sqft run and you can see in the pic where it was moved from a few days before..

 

[rjohns39]

Just fyi there's a whole section on this site for mobile housing... That said, I use a modified version of the salatin tractor. Mine are 8X8, I start with 8, 8' treated 2x4s I use 2' 2x2's for the uprights. I space them 1/2' off the bottom of the bottom 2x4, to keep them from digging in when moving. Instead of a 2x2, I use a 2x4 on the side where the cross piece goes and set them 1 1/2" from the top of the top rail. I run a 2x2 across the center line at the top. Then I run the cross brace from the side to the middle front, this is to hold the waterer. I use 1x2 cross bracing on all four sided and install eye bolts 2' from center left and right on all four sides. A six foot chain will be your lift. I make my doors out of 1X4 and have a 1X6 across the center line over the 2X2. I'll mount a 1X2 in the center and hing the doors to it. The entire shelter is covered in chicken wire and I run three hot wires along the bottom and use a .5 joule solar charger to power it combined with a 3' T-handle ground post.
This design is good for meat birds but not for layers. I'm currently building a cattle panel portable shelter for layers. I've taken two different designs and combined the attributes I like. The end result will be a little more than 12' X 8' with 12 roost bars and nest box. The hoop will be about 8' tall.

For guinea you'll have to adjust the height.

 

[MrPepers]

Just fyi there's a whole section on this site for mobile housing

Didn't know that.

 

[centrarchid]

As you look into chicken tractors and their use, be certain to consider issues such as; how level is your ground, wind during storms, managing against predators that will challenge your tractor, and weight of the device. I am a hoss by anyone's' standard, yet have found weight can be a real issue when day to day operation is actually realized.

 

[MrPepers]

As you look into chicken tractors and their use, be certain to consider issues such as; how level is your ground, wind during storms, managing against predators that will challenge your tractor, and weight of the device. I am a hoss by anyone's' standard, yet have found weight can be a real issue when day to day operation is actually realized.

I have several flat fields, so that shouldn't be an issue. I was just planning on putting them in there as a sort of "free range" substitute while watching them. What do you think the ideal weight should be approximately? Thanks for all the tips!

 

[centrarchid]

I have not figure that out. Designs light enough to move quickly in morning before going to work do not fair well in high winds or when snow deep.

Even with good flat fields, vegetation management is something to dwell on. Cool season grasses and legumes are awesome here April thru June, but same species and warm season plants come up short later in the season and when rain fall poor. I have not played with all types of plants yet. That is some ongoing fun.

 

[MrPepers]

I have not figure that out. Designs light enough to move quickly in morning before going to work do not fair well in high winds or when snow deep.

Even with good flat fields, vegetation management is something to dwell on. Cool season grasses and legumes are awesome here April thru June, but same species and warm season plants come up short later in the season and when rain fall poor. I have not played with all types of plants yet. That is some ongoing fun.

It doesn't snow much where I live so that won't be an issue, but the wind will be. I could probably store them inside during the winter.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I have not figure that out. Designs light enough to move quickly in morning before going to work do not fair well in high winds

4 concrete blocks can add about 150lbs and can be set off to move then right back on.

 

[aart]

Just fyi there's a whole section on this site for mobile housing..

Didn't know that.

Me neither.......but here it is:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/tractor-coops.17/