I've got my first few chicks in the brooder and they're quickly becoming chickens! I need to update my chicken coop and have been going through so many designs I just can't choose what would be the best looking/easiest to build/cheapest/best for our area (north Alabama). I've got it narrowed down to 3 designs Now, I just need to choose the best:
1. Coop with a covered run
Pros: would be great to have a solid fixture, safe chickens
Cons: we sometimes get a lot of rain and standing water, covered runs are added $$, less run space then free ranging
2. Coop without a covered run
Pros: would be great to have a solid fixture, cheaper than covering a run, more area than a covered run
Cons: predators may kill the chickens
3. Tractor
Pros: cheapest option, eliminate water issues because I can 'move it out of the water'
Cons: would be small for 6 chickens, may not fair well during tornado season
What are the reasons that you guys chose a coop or a tractor? What are some of the pros and cons that you guys have seen with your tractor or coop that would be eliminated had you chosen the opposite?
As a disclaimer, I know this sounds like I haven't narrowed it at all, but I have 1 design that would be best in each category, but it's the best category I'm having troubles with. If only money wasn't an object. Thanks for any input!
1. Coop with a covered run
Pros: would be great to have a solid fixture, safe chickens
Cons: we sometimes get a lot of rain and standing water, covered runs are added $$, less run space then free ranging
2. Coop without a covered run
Pros: would be great to have a solid fixture, cheaper than covering a run, more area than a covered run
Cons: predators may kill the chickens
3. Tractor
Pros: cheapest option, eliminate water issues because I can 'move it out of the water'
Cons: would be small for 6 chickens, may not fair well during tornado season
What are the reasons that you guys chose a coop or a tractor? What are some of the pros and cons that you guys have seen with your tractor or coop that would be eliminated had you chosen the opposite?
As a disclaimer, I know this sounds like I haven't narrowed it at all, but I have 1 design that would be best in each category, but it's the best category I'm having troubles with. If only money wasn't an object. Thanks for any input!