Build a permanent one.
I raised birds in a 8 X 6 (approx)movable pen. When I had 6 birds in it I had to move it EVERYDAY to keep the grass nice. That was in the summer - I can't imagine what the yard would look like in the winter when it's dormant.
I too continue to be torn between the tractor and the permanent coop. My last chicken facility was a permanent coop 30 years ago but has long since rotted to the ground. It was my mother-in-law's well-used old chicken house when I started using it, so it didn't last too much longer.
I've seriously considered a tractor type facility but I keep looking at all the coops here on BYC and thinking that would probably be a much easier way to care for even a few hens. I'm considering walk-in or non-walk-in. Lots of things to think about. Good news is that I'm not rushing the decision. Trying to read as much as possible here to make a good educated decision. Thanks to everyone for all the input here at BYC!
Quote:
The tractor worked great for us until we were able to fence in the rest of the back yard. Now they range on the yard, and I use the tractor to transition chicks out of the brooder before they can compete with the adults.