DIY chicken tractor. Has anyone made this one?

[JTofSD]

Hi everyone,
I am new here, so forgive me if posting this link is unacceptable.
My adult daughter and her family are wanting chickens, and as I am somewhat handy she has asked me to build her a chicken tractor. She really likes this plan and purchased the details.
https://www.greenwillowhomestead.com/blog/how-to-build-a-diy-chicken-tractor-that-will-last
Has anyone built this model? If so, how did that go? Any suggestions on improvements to this plan? It involves corrugated metal for the roof, and I wondered if some siding over plywood would do the same thing?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. All suggestions are welcome.

 

[jher77]

I have a chicken brooder in one of those 8 x 10 cheap metal sheds and it gets very very hot in there in the summer, so much so I cant keep it cool enough with several fans, so I would say don't do the metal coop part. OSB and siding sounds like a better option.

 

[JTofSD]

Thank you. Good ideas!

 

[springvalley123]

Also, you have to consider that adult chickens roost about 2-5 ft off the ground, and they need ventillation that starts well above the tops of their backs, and goes upward from there, so a minimum height would be 6 ft. The enclosed coop needs 1 sq ft of constant ventilation per bird, many people double that to be safe, again, above their backs when roosting.
I think the designs of the tractors would be OK for meat birds (which are generally processed before they start to roost) but not for adult birds.
You have a wonderful advantage in that you are handy, and able to do this research before building, best of luck!

 

[JTofSD]

Thank you. Some good facts to consider. So you think a more square coop part would be better? Maybe with the typical roof?

 

[springvalley123]

Probably, and with ample eaves to keep out the wind and rain while allowing ventillation at the top of the sides.

 

[jher77]

I would build a square type chicken tractor instead of the A frame tractor style. If you're handy, then look around craigslist in several cities at different types of coops. Save the pics for future reference.

I'm thinking about building a tractor as a brooder myself. I'm looking to design it for year round use and delete the brooder in my metal shed.

 

[McChooky]

I've seen these tractor plans and like them.If you put osb boards under the metal roof you won't have a problem with condensation and it shouldn't get hot .I would make sure its got plenty of ventilation.I want to build one for my place out in the country.

Edit: Because tractors must be easy to move metal is the preferred choice as it makes it lighter. Osb or a plywood would make it heavier and harder to move especially if you put shingles or asphalt roofing on top.The tractor in theese plans has poor ventilation but could be corrected by adding larger vents instead of a few holes (pictured) .

 

[McChooky]

You can put a couple strands of electric fence around the bottom of the tractor to keep predators from digging underneath.

 

[JTofSD]

I was also thinking of using wire across the bottom to prevent predators from coming up under where it sits.