European style chicken tractor finally finished! (Pics!)

[kristenm1975]

I've made two of these now and have been happy with the design, apart from some simple things that I modified with the help of my handier SO.

It has six doors, two long ones on each side of the top portion, and two on each end, one big one for access to the run, and one small one for egg gathering. There's a long roost bar that runs from nest to nest (one on each end of the 8 ft tractor) and the run is enclosed with hardware cloth in 1/2 inch mesh. What do you think?

 

[chickiebaby]

It's just great! How many birds do you plan to range in there?

 

[Omran]

That's great looking, very nice job

 

[redoak]

Very nice tractor

 

[kristenm1975]

Thank you!

My carpentry skills are improving by leaps and bounds (and by sore thumbs).

The bottom run area is 32 sq ft and the top loft area is 16 sq ft, so I would say I could at least fit 5 in there. I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to how much space hens have. I want happy birds.

What would you say is a good amount of birds for this tractor? I appreciate all feedback! I'm selling these in my area and would much rather hear if I need to make some improvements or changes on BYC, instead of from a disappointed customer.

 

[HappyHatch'en]

It look's better than "store bought"...but with all that nice flat green luscious grass area you have I would let them roam and use the birds as moving yard art....I know whats wrong...you need more birds!

 

[Renee]

Wow, you aren't joshing about your carpentry skills. That is really quite beautiful. Congrats on a job well done!

 

[realmofthewoodsranch]

4-5 square feet per bird indoors, 10 square feet outdoors if those are the only place for them. Combined I'd say five chickens is good!

 

[Schultz]

That's really nice!!

 

[SophieLain127]

I really like that.... You could offer it in lots of fun colors.... just a suggestion. if you have chicks you might want to offer it at say a set price with out chicks then do one with a set up including chicks. you know kind of like when you go to a pet store and you get an aquarium with the works for a set price.... thats the only thing I can think of now.....

You did a great job.