CHICKEN TRACTOR

[LadiesAndJane]

Hello all you lovely chicken folks out there and Happy Sunday!
Hoping for some input. I want to build a simple chicken tractor, so my flock of 12 (4 silkies, 8 standards) can get out of their very safe enclosed coop/run and get some grass and bugs and change the scenery for them as well. I give them handfuls of grass as a treat, and it is their absolute favorite! I can not free range them as we have mongoose, which are daytime predators, and random feral cats and neighbors who let their dogs run loose. Our property is not fenced either.
Anyway, I am thinking to move this tractor around our grassy yard and let the chickens be in there for a few hours a day, where I can still keep half an eye on them while I am working. How big should this structure be? It will not need a coop attached, but maybe just a simple covering on part of it for shade and wind/rain protection. I was also thinking of the possibility of dividing them into two groups and let each group be out, would make the size need a bit smaller I would think, but is this a good idea for them behavior wise as they are finally a somewhat cohesive group after much time integrating them?
Appreciate any feedback from you out there that have tried similar methods!
Thanks!

 

[chickenlittle21]

You should have at least a square foot per chicken

 

[LadiesAndJane]

You should have at least a square foot per chicken

Thanks for responding!
Oh I thought they would need much more! I was thinking a 6‘ x 4‘ structure basically a huge box covered in hardware cloth! What do you think about dividing them into 2 groups?

 

[Big Doggie]

Hello all you lovely chicken folks out there and Happy Sunday!
Hoping for some input. I want to build a simple chicken tractor, so my flock of 12 (4 silkies, 8 standards) can get out of their very safe enclosed coop/run and get some grass and bugs and change the scenery for them as well. I give them handfuls of grass as a treat, and it is their absolute favorite! I can not free range them as we have mongoose, which are daytime predators, and random feral cats and neighbors who let their dogs run loose. Our property is not fenced either.
Anyway, I am thinking to move this tractor around our grassy yard and let the chickens be in there for a few hours a day, where I can still keep half an eye on them while I am working. How big should this structure be? It will not need a coop attached, but maybe just a simple covering on part of it for shade and wind/rain protection. I was also thinking of the possibility of dividing them into two groups and let each group be out, would make the size need a bit smaller I would think, but is this a good idea for them behavior wise as they are finally a somewhat cohesive group after much time integrating them?
Appreciate any feedback from you out there that have tried similar methods!
Thanks!

I made a PVC pipe tractor with half inch HC over the entire thing. One side has a door big enough to put in 5 gal containers and the other side is a small guilotine door. I put a tarp over half of it. It’s not predator proof in terms of tunneling animals but I only leave the pullets in there for short periods of time.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I made a PVC pipe tractor with half inch HC over the entire thing. One side has a door big enough to put in 5 gal containers and the other side is a small guilotine door. I put a tarp over half of it. It’s not predator proof in terms of tunneling animals but I only leave the pullets in there for short periods of time.

Nice! Thanks!

 

[Critter721]

I made a PVC pipe tractor with half inch HC over the entire thing. One side has a door big enough to put in 5 gal containers and the other side is a small guilotine door. I put a tarp over half of it. It’s not predator proof in terms of tunneling animals but I only leave the pullets in there for short periods of time.

Cool! I've been looking for tractor options for trying my hand at some rangers this summer. This looks perfect! How big is it?

 

[Big Doggie]

Nice! Thanks!

 

[Big Doggie]

View attachment 2510748

Roughly 6’x8’

 

[deidreg]

Actually, you do need more than one square foot per chicken. There are many opinions about this, but if I had 12 chickens, I'd make the tractor at least 48 square feet. 7' x 7' or 6' x 8' would do it. I love @Big Doggie hoop tractor. Simple and light weight. Just know it won't stop a predator. But if you're nearby, that'll help.

Oh please show us pictures of your flock and where you live! 🏝

It's 19 degrees with over a foot of snow coming tomorrow where I live. ❄

 

[LadiesAndJane]

78° right now we live at 2500 feet. We do have snow on Maunakea (over 13,000 feet above sea level ) though right now.
View from my front lanai/patio.