Egg Cart'n chicken tractor?

[Xanadu]

I am inexperienced in this so take it for what it's worth but... if you have any trees I wonder if a very very lightweight net strung up high enough to walk under over your yard would keep your hens safe at least from the flying predators. Ofcourse it wouldn't protect against land predators but maybe a tied up dog would prove a restraint against those if you could deal with tying up a dog. I can't so I had to make a lightweight tractor I drag around the yard out of snap together plastic pet fence panels with lightweight wire fencing zip tied to the top. I try to change it's position 3 times a day so they don't strip the ground. They love being out in it but I only have two chickens.

 

[PickeeChickee]

We bought an EGG CART'N for 12 chickens. It is the best decision I ever made! The first week we bought the Egg Cart'n, I had to go on vacation for a full week! I needed something easy to maintain by a friend. He said it was so easy to care for the chickens because he could put out a vegetarian treat for them every two days in a suet basket, hose down the coop, add fresh water and feed, move it to a fresh grassy area and leave for work in 15 minutes. The 2 month old chickens loved the coop right away.

Treats: To make certain there would be no "space" issues or aggressive pecking, I make homemade vegan treats to hang in a suet basket. We have absolutely no issue with "space" or "pecking" because the birds are happily distracted by their treats.

My friend said they were the nicest most peaceful chickens he has ever seen. They were calm and looked forward to their treats every 2-3 days. Let me know if your interested in my nutritious vegan chicken treats. From someone who actually does own 12 chickens, the Egg Cart'n is the perfect size. I love it. It is so much fun to work with and see my chickens happy everyday.

They can be happy going into a larger fenced area during the day or just staying inside their coop all day. I sleep at night knowing they safe day and night from all the predators in our parts. We asked for extra wiring to put on the ground, but haven't needed to use it because we move the cart twice a day which confuses digging animals, plus I'm told they get confused by the concept of digging down to get at bird that are on the second floor.

 

[CarlaRiggs]

I'm glad the chicks enjoyed their digs while you were gone. And what a terrific neighbor you have!
Your little pullets are only two months old. They will be much, much larger when full grown.
The size will be very inadequate, with not enough nest boxes. I'd begin building something larger immediately for your girls.

 

[Larry Cooper]

Got the egg cart'n and I totally love it!

 

[Larry Cooper]

I recently purchased the Egg Cart'n and I thing it is" very nice". and am enjoying it. I do not have but 6 Hens and 1 Roo in it so, that seems to be a good amount for the coop. I must say it is very easy to move about and my birds seem to love it! Very convenient ~

 

[The Yakima Kid]

My husband and I have been using an Egg Cart'n for more than two years. It has two levels, each 4' x 6', and four or five hens can live in it without an external run or range, and eight to ten can live in it if they have an external run or yard. I really like the removable coroplast panels; In the summer I leave only the windward panels on; in winter it can be completely buttoned up during storms. I reconfigured the roost to spread the bars out a little, and I put old boot trays under it as plop boards. It's a lot easier to empty those twice a week than to clean the coop that frequently.

We put patio blacks under the perimeter to discourage digging predators; we toss wood chips or shavings in the center and raise it up on the wheels and rake it out and lime it from time to time. Annual cleaning is a pressure washer or one of those car washing brushes and water following a good spray with Poop-Off. Don't knock it until you've tried it.

 

[res]

.... Don't knock it until you've tried it.

I agree - I LOVE MINE, too. I've had it for a little over a year now. Used it as a quarantine pen, sick pen, brooder, and for adult layers - it is so versatile!

My hens like it so much that they will often return to the Egg Cart'n to roost at night INSTEAD of the spacious coop and run I also have.... They apparently like the Cart'n too!

 

[PickeeChickee]

Our birds are now full grown...and still snuggle up at night with each other in the Egg Cart'n. They run in the yard during the day...and come in at night.

 

[UP chick]

I am looking into buying the Egg Cart'n chicken tractor. I have been hesitant because of price-ouch! But it would be the perfect transitional coop for young pullets. I am raising 13 pullets right now, 4 of them mine. They are 4 weeks old and it would be nice if soon, they could be outside. I have a nice stationary coop with attached run and I add an additional electric poultry fence area that I can move in different configurations--but these are where the adult birds are. So I see the Egg Cart'n tractor as a temporary raising pen. I read the other posts and yes it would be great for a sick or injured bird coop, a brooder and I've even thought of using it to raise a few midget white turkeys! I think I'm sold and ready to take the plunge on buying one.

 

[res]

Still love mine. Can't imagine not having it. I have used it as a brooder, and it worked perfectly. And it is constantly in use for quarantine, sick birds, or to separate bossy hens for a bit that need to get knocked down in the pecking order.

It has held up great. Mine is likely approaching 10 years old. I bought it used, and it is slightly different in design than the current model. All the doors and panels are still in perfect shape, there is only a teeny tiny bit of rust on the frame that engages the wheels. The wheel apparatus still works flawlessly.

IMO, they are worth every penny because they DO last.