Easy to build tractor that can be winterized?

[Ewe Mama]

We are looking for plans for a raccoon-proof chicken tractor (or two, if they are a good plan, but smaller) that can be winterized. We have a barn, but that mainly houses the sheep. In a pinch, we could put them in the barn together, but that is not my preference, for safety reasons.

I have been looking at plans and pictures for all types of tractors, but I literally need step by step directions, building for dummies-type directions. I will be building it/them on my own. I have basic tools, a miter saw, a Kreg jig, a nail gun, and a jig saw. I enjoy putting together Ikea furniture, and I have built a few beginner plans on Ana White's site. My bookshelves and night stands may not be perfect, but they function! I don't mind purchasing the right plans.

My daughter would like a flock of 10ish birds, and I would also like to raise some meat birds for the freezer.

I found a few ready-made tractors that look really nice, but I can't swing the $1000+ price tag when we have so many medical bills from my husband's cancer treatment coming in. We aren't destitute, but I would like to keep it from getting too pricey.

We would like something that has wheels to make moving it easy, as well as light sockets for heating lamps. Easy to clean would be a bonus, too, since no one truly enjoys coming face to face with chicken poo.

If you could point me in a good direction to look, I would be very grateful!

Thank you!

 

[Free Feather]

Hoop coops! They are easy to make big, easy to build, can be made raccoon proof, you can walk into it for cleaning, and can be moved. They are cheaper per square foot, too. Look into it.

 

[Ewe Mama]

Free Feather, we tried hoop coops and they were a dismal failure for us. The raccoons still managed to get in over the door within the first two days of putting the flock in. After we redesigned it, we had high winds come through. The coop was lifted and flipped on its side, killing some of our ducks. If the design is strong enough to withstand the winter winds, then it is too heavy for me to move. I don't have a tractor or riding mower to help pull it along. The sheep do our mowing.

My ideal design would definitely involve wheels.

 

[paintedChix]

I agree that you could use hoop coops and that you might want to revisit the idea w/ a different build. You didn't state how/what you built yours out of? Our heavier one (didn't have the two lighter ones built yet) sustained hurricane force winds and was still standing and had less damage than the "regular", stick built shed used as a temporary coop. Wasn't a big hurricane, but had sustained winds and...

Our heavier one is too heavy to move by myself, too. But I use the Shetland ponies in draft team pairs to pull it when I want - since I've done that early in the am, don't have piccies of it. I don't have wheels on it, simply because I haven't managed to put them on yet. Since our move to our new home, we don't have any birds in our 3 hoop coops - though hoping that will change.

I'm interested to see what you can make predator proof, heavy/warm enuf to last thru the winter in OH AND still be movable!! And EZ for us "non-builders" who absolutely need "plans for dummies"...