How often to move tractor?

[vcu hoops]

Hello All,

Have been lurking here for the past few weeks. I have found great info here. i have a quick question. For those of you who have a tractor, How often do you move it? I am building a 6' wide X 12' long tractor and plan on keeping 6-10 birds in it if this matters.

Also, what height is sufficient for tractors. I am not sure if 3 feet is tall enough.

 

[Cetawin]

Hi and

. 3 foot high should be fine...chickens are not going to stand more than 2' high and that is a big roo. My tractor is only 25" high.

I would move it as they start tearing up the grass and such or if in a garden, as the ground is sufficiently aeriated.

Judge time frame by what you are wanting or not wanting from them.

 

[pvc coop]

Mine is 4 x 8 with 5ea 3 month old pullets. I have been moving it about every 3 days, but mine is easy to move.

 

[patandchickens]

At 6x12 you will have to be very careful to crossbrace it well (without adding unnecessary weight) so that it does not tend to rack itself apart when you move it. Just a word to the wise

Three feet is tall enough as long as your roost is pretty close to the ground so they don't bump their heads at night. (These are layers, yes? Or are they broilers - meat birds - in which case you would not want a roost, but will have to move the tractor more often). However, you will have to make extra sure that nothing can reach thru the sides to grab a sleeping chicken.

How often to move it depends, as Cetawin says, on what your goal is. Are you trying to kill grass?

Or are you trying to have no visible impact on the grass? Or something in between? It could be as often as every day or as infrequently as every two weeks. You'll just have to keep an eye on how things progress, and step in when necessary.

FWIW, last summer I was moving my 4x7' tractor with 3 hens in it every 2-3 days, when the grass started to get mildly/moderately bald. It depends on the condition of your lawn though.

Good luck and have fun,

Pat, who just this morning put them back out into the tractor for the summer