Coop or tractor?

[bakerjw]

Although we live a ways out of the city, we have quite a few predators and a busy road nearby which steers me toward keeping the girls (8 pullets from TSC. RIR I believe) penned up and not free ranging unless I decide to parole them for an afternoon when I am outside working around the house. This brings me to my quandary. Dedicated coop or movable tractor? I am leaning toward the tractor as they can be moved on to new grass on a regular basis but there are other factors such as disturbing egg production by a change of scenery.

They are also a little skittish around people and haven't yet associated the "hand of God" that changes water and occasionally gives them tidbits of treats with people. I wonder if in a dedicated coop where they have the ability to clear the ground to bare dirt they will be more prone to realizing that it is the people who are bringing them good food to eat.

If I do a tractor, it will be similar to one of these but the run will be removable in case I decide to make the coop part just a coop.

Any advice? Suggestions?

or

Thanks to Katy for the pictures from http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/tractors.html

 

[chicmom]

I've had both, and I have to say that I'm glad I have my new, bigger 8x12 coop, with the attached, covered run. I do allow mine to free range, but when I'm not home, there's plenty of room for them to run around. The chicken tractors are neat, but from my experience a coop/run is much nicer.

Good luck! Those tractors do look nice though.

Sharon

 

[elmo]

Do both! That's what I did. I have a stationary coop that I made predator resistant, and that's where my flock spends their nights. I built a lightweight tractor for daytime foraging. I love having options for where to put the birds.