Easy tractor design under $100

[Fistfull of Silkies]

I'm new today to this forum. I felt the I could share a quick and easy design I made up on the fly to give my chickens more space and protect them from hawks during the daylight hours. This is not a coop but rather a lightweight, easily moved tractor that can be placed next to a coop to expand the run or out in the yard for fresh picking.

The supplies purchased for this project were all found at Home Depot. Total project cost was $90 or so. I used 1/2"x10' pvc pipe and a variety of joints. I did not use glue in the event I wanted to expand it or modify it. The structure is held together by the wire, which is zip tied tightly to the frame.

Approximate dimensions are 10.5' long, 5' wide, and 3.5' high. A flap door was built into it to facilitate easy loading and unloading of the chickens.

Project time was about 3 hours. Cutting the pipe was accomplished with a hand saw. It cuts easily and can be completed by almost anyone.

 

[PetesChicks]

Nice expansion to your run. Just remember, the chicken wire isn’t predator proof, make sure you lock up the run itself at night.

 

[tjo804]

Fantastic! I think this would make a great addition to the coop / run articles!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/chicken-coops.12/

And now I think I hear some unused 2x2' s calling my name! I have a bunch from a tear down that are 8 and 10 feet long. Looks like the Silkies are getting a run today

 

[purslanegarden]

Good for day time but definitely make sure they get into their coop for night-time protection.

And you're right, that kind of large mobile run is great for going to different spots around the yard.