Hog panel floor for tractor run

[Bkydchickens]

I live in predator alley- coyotes, foxes, racoons,, packs of dogs... I really miss free ranging my chickens. I'm thinking of building a tractor. I've seen them with the sweep out, which is what we have on the coop & run. But ours is buried. Sitting on top the ground is not going to work neither is burying it every move. Can I attach hog panel(s) to the bottom? We've had good luck with it for roofs in the duck area. I know it will inhibit some of the scratching, but they would be safe. Thoughts?

 

[Debbie292d]

You could, but if the right animal digs underneath, they could get through it.

Could you come up with some type of mobile 1/2" hardware cloth 18" wide and however long strips you'd lay on each side, then secure with zip strips and pavers? When you move it, you'd have to move X number of pavers, the strips, and snip the zip strips, so kind of a pain, but that would prevent the diggers from getting in there at all.

 

[Penpal]

Hog panels aren't going to deter smaller animals, like weasels. I agree with working out a system for hardware cloth as an exterior border. I think you could use velcro instead of zip ties.

 

[Bkydchickens]

Those are great ideas! I'm so glad we don't have weasels here! I'm hoping I'll enjoy my chickens more in a tractor. It's sad they can't free-range anymore. I have some industrial velcro I could use.

 

[paintedChix]

Hinge your apron. Zip ties, wire ties, staples. Frame it out (pvc or lumber) or not. Pin down w/ 12" garden pins or tent pegs.

You can use various wire; horse (2x2 holes), hog or cattle (largest holes) panels cut to wok w/ your tractor.

I think these are from Aart's Hoop Coop pages. I will have to go back & look & put id on pics I screen shot.




This is a video of a walk in CP hoop coop that's been predator proofed w/ hinged aprons.

I had this one saved in my Pinterest chicken tractor file.



I thought i had more pics of aprons on tractors but I can't find them...

Edit to add - found on Google - "predator apron on chicken tractor"

 

[Bkydchickens]

Hinge your apron. Zip ties, wire ties, staples. Frame it out (pvc or lumber) or not. Pin down w/ 12" garden pins or tent pegs.

You can use various wire; horse (2x2 holes), hog or cattle (largest holes) panels cut to wok w/ your tractor.

I think these are from Aart's Hoop Coop pages. I will have to go back & look & put id on pics I screen shot.

View attachment 4029791
View attachment 4029792

This is a video of a walk in CP hoop coop that's been predator proofed w/ hinged aprons.

I had this one saved in my Pinterest chicken tractor file.

View attachment 4029793

I thought i had more pics of aprons on tractors but I can't find them...

Edit to add - found on Google - "predator apron on chicken tractor"

View attachment 4029794
View attachment 4029795
View attachment 4029796

I like those! They look so doable! A lot with things I have on hand too. I have a whole bag of the long staples even! Thanks!

 

[paintedChix]

I like those! They look so doable! A lot with things I have on hand too. I have a whole bag of the long staples even! Thanks!

You're welcome!!

 

[raganburkley]

Hinge your apron. Zip ties, wire ties, staples. Frame it out (pvc or lumber) or not. Pin down w/ 12" garden pins or tent pegs.

You can use various wire; horse (2x2 holes), hog or cattle (largest holes) panels cut to wok w/ your tractor.

I think these are from Aart's Hoop Coop pages. I will have to go back & look & put id on pics I screen shot.

View attachment 4029791
View attachment 4029792

This is a video of a walk in CP hoop coop that's been predator proofed w/ hinged aprons.

I had this one saved in my Pinterest chicken tractor file.

View attachment 4029793

I thought i had more pics of aprons on tractors but I can't find them...

Edit to add - found on Google - "predator apron on chicken tractor"

View attachment 4029794
View attachment 4029795
View attachment 4029796

ok this is genius!!! i am about to build a tractor for my girls and have been wondering how to handle the apron part for digging predators. i never would have thought of hinging it. the video you posted is so helpful!!!