Chicken Tractor

[rjohns39]

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!

My first tractor was 10'X12' and a monster to move even with a dolly. I've found the 8X8 can be moved by the DW and is way lighter--but sturdy during storms.

 

[aart]

What do you think the ideal weight should be approximately?

It's a balance, many balances:
of size and materials.
wheel size(larger diameter and fatter tire are better)
and wheel location(middle of coop is much better), and handle location can be a huge factor.
Moving a tractor will show you where every bump and gully is on a flat field.

 

[BlueShadow]

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?

Guinea fowl would be fine in a chicken tractor, but not very happy. They like to fly and roam, they are very independent minded birds. However, a chicken tractor completely defeats the main purpose most people get guineas for - eating ticks/bugs. To be effective at that, guineas need to roam.

Predators (or hit by car) are an issue for most everyone who lets guineas free roam. I maintain a flock of about 15 guineas, and I find that all but a few become predator snacks by the end of summer. However, guineas also are quite prolific and so far it has been easy to hatch a batch of keets each year to renew the population, I just sell off the extras to get flock size down to where I want it (my hens typically hatch 18-24 in a nest).

 

[BlueShadow]

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..

I am curious how you avoid issues with raccoons reaching through the wire to get the birds?? That wire looks like it might be 2x4?

 

[PD-Riverman]

I am curious how you avoid issues with raccoons reaching through the wire to get the birds?? That wire looks like it might be 2x4?

The older tractor has chicken wire on first then some time later I added the 2x4 wire. That one they roost on a roost pole that runs from the front to the back down the middle. The other/newer one that's what the tin is on the side for---so nothing can reach them when they are roosting at night. Never had a problem with either with something getting to them---and I do have a lot of predators.

I do add feed sacks during the coldest part of winter on these to block the wind. Keep in mind we rarely see snow here and its rare to get into the single digits. Sure with the 2x4 wire you can not put chicks in them----but I have special pens for chicks.

 

[MrPepers]

However, a chicken tractor completely defeats the main purpose most people get guineas for - eating ticks/bugs.

I just have my guineas as pets, I know they won't be able to eat very many ticks from within a chicken tractor.

 

[BlueShadow]

The older tractor has chicken wire on first then some time later I added the 2x4 wire. That one they roost on a roost pole that runs from the front to the back down the middle. The other/newer one that's what the tin is on the side for---so nothing can reach them when they are roosting at night. Never had a problem with either with something getting to them---and I do have a lot of predators.

I do add feed sacks during the coldest part of winter on these to block the wind. Keep in mind we rarely see snow here and its rare to get into the single digits. Sure with the 2x4 wire you can not put chicks in them----but I have special pens for chicks.

Thanks for explaining how they are kept predator proof! That is a good idea and concept and easily adaptable to any style of chicken tractor.

We ran into the trouble with our current chicken tractor, we used 1/2 by 1 inch welded wire mesh and now the thing is so stinking heavy its a bear to move. I can (barely) do it by myself but if it needs to move over more than 3 feet, I'm waiting until I have help. But at least it managed to contain a (VERY) angry guinea hen and her freshly hatched brood of 24 keets, and the mesh holes were so small she couldn't injure herself.

 

[BlueShadow]

I just have my guineas as pets, I know they won't be able to eat very many ticks from within a chicken tractor.

Okay. Well, they do like space to fly and move, and roost way up high. So if your design has that, they will be far happier.

 

[MrPepers]

Okay. Well, they do like space to fly and move, and roost way up high. So if your design has that, they will be far happier.

I have a large pen I keep them in where they can fly, run, and be happy. I want to make some chicken tractors so I can put them in there for a few hours a day when I can watch them and then put them back in their pen.

 

[BlueShadow]

I have a large pen I keep them in where they can fly, run, and be happy. I want to make some chicken tractors so I can put them in there for a few hours a day when I can watch them and then put them back in their pen.

If yours are calm enough to tolerate that level of handling, I don't see why it would be a problem. My guineas freak out and claw me when I try to handle them, so I can't give you any better experience than that.