Coop plus tractor with laying boxes?

[seaduds]

Hello!

I'm planning to purchase 6-8 chicks in the next month or so and have questions about my potential home for them.

A friend of mine has an unused coop kit that he's gifting me in exchange for eggs in the future, which is convenient. I'd love to let the chickens free-range (as the previous owner of this house did), but I've just started two large garden beds and am sure they'd love to tear it up. I'll happily let them do that in the fall-winter once the garden is "finished" for the year. Fencing in the garden is not really feasible either.

My main question is, would it be silly to have a stationary coop with laying boxes as well as a tractor for them during the day that also includes laying boxes? I'm leaning towards a tractor instead of a run because it rains a lot here between November and May and I don't want the chickens to live in a mudbath of a run for six months of the year.

Would it be teachable for the chickens to go to the tractor when let out? Am I over-complicating things?

 

[New2Chicks97]

I think it depends on how much room you have for them to roam. Our chickens left our garden alone when they are out free ranging. I credit that to us being on 10.5 acres as I am sure if I had a city sized lot they would tear my garden apart. Mine seem to like the creek area under the willow trees better than the garden area unless I am out picking veggies and giving them cherry tomatoes.

We have a 32’x8’ covered run that stays dry for the most part. This year we are adding a large fenced and bird net covered yard with a garden bed of their own. My girls love tomatoes and squash so I am planning on planting those for them. This is mainly so when the hawks are out they have a bigger outdoor area than just their run.

I think you have to do what works best for you land and lifestyle.

 

[seaduds]

I think you have to do what works best for you land and lifestyle.

Thanks for the response! We have a 1/3 acre yard, but are on a 9 or 10 acre property (most of the rest is vineyards) so maybe they'd be fine. The coop would likely be located right next to the raised beds unfortunately though so we'll have to see. Maybe I'll just risk the loss of garden this year and feel things out.

Thanks again!

 

[aart]

Might be easier to fence your garden so the chickens can't get at it.

 

[Ms Biddy]

I don't think your idea is silly and yes, chickens can be trained to go into and out of a tractor as long as it rolls right up to the coop door. A bamboo stick can be helpful in guiding them but they will catch on quickly.

 

[seaduds]

Might be easier to fence your garden so the chickens can't get at it.

I'd love to but the raised beds are in a place that won't really allow for permanent fencing. Tractor needs to get through in that area. I could do a low fence at some point and see if the chickens try to jump it though...

I don't think your idea is silly and yes, chickens can be trained to go into and out of a tractor as long as it rolls right up to the coop door. A bamboo stick can be helpful in guiding them but they will catch on quickly.

Good to know, thanks! I've got some thinking to do before all this is over.

 

[cholland]

A couple of years ago, I used a 4x8 coop on wheels with an 8x8 cattle panel hoop coop. I built several sections of wire chicken tunnel. I could place the main coop and move the hoop coop around as needed and they still had access to the main coop. Works pretty well if you have space to move it around.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

X2 with all...Welcome to byc!! Glad you could join the Flock! Let me know if you need anything!