HELP!!! WHAT CHICKEN TRACTOR SHOULD I BUY??

[mikea861]

Can someone please help? I am thinking of buying a chicken tractor from www.randallburkey.com it is 1,499.00 does anyone have this tractor?? if not could you take a look at it and tell me if its good or know of another type that is better. I do not have any chickens yet but I have 2 acers live in a subdvision with 2 kids ages 6 and 4. looking for pets plan on having 6-9 hens also what kind of chickens are best with kids... please help I am new at this and would like to do it right....thank you

 

[CoyoteMagic]

$1499!!!???? You could build 10 tractors and a couple of coops for that much money.

 

[conny63malies]

Why dont you go to a home improvement store and buy a smaller shed . about a 8x8 should do. You should be able to get one for about 700$ add 300$-400$ for paint,shingles and other assorted what not like a window or two and you wouldnt spend more than 1000-1100$. all chickens can be good around kids when they are raised around them. Why dont you get thee easter eggers, the chicken that lsy brown eggs like RIR or NHR and three whiite egg layers?

 

[jennmugg]

Well, from the pics I noticed a couple of things.

The run appears too small for the advertised limit of birds, which is 12. The coop itself also looks pretty small for that amount. You may become addicted to chickens like a lot of people on here and get more birds later. I started out wanting two or three. I now have 6 with two more on the way.

I did not see a roost in the pics. And, I only saw 2 eggs boxes. You may need more than that.

I think it is wayyy over priced. I don't see how you can tell how sturdy or thick the material is. Some coops sold online warp after a rainy season and become pretty bad looking. Since you live in a neighborhood your neighbors may not appreciate this. I don't know how handy you are or what materials you have laying around, but for that much money you could build an awesome, durable coop. Or, you could buy a large dog or playhouse and convert it as needed.

 

[jennmugg]

Oh, and ISA Browns are said to be good with kids.

 

[ChickBond 007]

First, browse BYC for tractor examples. There are many great ones here.

Go to youtube.com
Type in "chicken tractor"
You will see some fantastic do-it-yourself ideas.

We are just completing ours, it should be posted here in a day or so.
You can easily construct one without much skill. I did.

 

[CityChook]

First,

from MN

Methinks that $1500 is waaaayyyyy too much money to spend for a coop like that. Even if you don't want to build one, which if I can do it *anyone* can do it, you could hire it out and have it exactly the way you want it for less money than that or at least break even. There are plenty of folks out there right now with amazing skills and an empty wallet who would gladly get you on your way.

Besides, I feel that it's a little too small for 6-9 birds anyways. Spend some time searching around on this forum and you'll arm yourself with some great information and motivation!

Good luck!

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Holy freaking heck! Why on earth are you paying so much for a tractor?

Of all the ridiculous things.

Our tractors never cost us more than like 100 bucks to build. We actually sell little 4 bird tractors for 95 bucks for christmas sake.

 

[NMbirds]

Yes, agreed, build, don't buy and you design according to your needs, not theirs. Good luck!

 

[Ewe Mama2]

I am very interested in this thread beacause not everyone has the tools/time/skills needed to build a coop/tractor for his/her birds to live safely. I would love to have the necessary skills, but as I do not, I am prepared to pay for someone who does have the skill and experience. I would rather know that my chickens are safely housed than worry all night if my coop that I tried to construct is holding up against raccoons and foxes. I look at the photos and know that they are great coops/tractors, but I don't have the energy to round up my five children, get to the Home Depot, and wander around the store for three hours trying to find all the parts and tools needed, end up getting discouraged and disgusted, leave the shopping cart at the store and head home with nothing. Convenience comes with a price and sometimes that price may be worth it to someone else.

I don't mean to lecture, but only one posting so far addressed the actual questions asked. All the other posts were directed at the price of the tractor in question. Is it an expensive tractor? Perhaps, but it could very well be worth it to mikea861.

Best wishes with your future chickens, Mikea861.