I cant wait any longer, they're getting big fast!

[The Draft]

If you had a choice what would you do different?
First, Thank you for all the information on this site, its a big help!

I lost one of my 6 girl's to a hawk and I feel very responsible that this happened.
The 5 ladies have a small coop and run until I finish (make a decision) on their final home. My vision for a coop and run has been a movable coop that would give them some restricted free range during the day until I get home. When I'm outside I let them out and hang with the family and spoil them.

This is were I could use some of your wisdom: I have a 6' x 10' trailer on which I would like to build the coop-with an easy setup and movable run. I'm hesitating because of the issue with lack of adequate security-there's no covering from the air; I'm not 100% clear on this design.

Or, build a needed shed and incorporate the coop and run design w/shed design. I'm hesitant because of the possible constant localized smell and limitations on their ability to have new ground and change of pace every couple of days.

I just purchased an electric fence for ground protection.

What direction would you suggest and, why?

Inspiration!

The start!

 

[Abriana]

Can't offer any coop advice, but I can tell you that an electric fence is super great protection! I see the foxes and raccoons but have never had an issue. Also, use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, which predators can easily rip through, on your coop.

 

[RUNuts]

Hawks are a concern. With 5 acres, I like the idea of a movable tractor to put them where you want them to work. Have you youtube'd Justin Rhodes? Lots of youtube videos to give us a feel of what we want.

Not sure that I'd build a tractor with wheels, but if your 5 acres is open, that should work. Do you have any Roosters? Everyone says they watch out for predators. I'm clueless. Just make sure they have cover to get under to protect from hawks and the electric fencing should work for ground attacks. Even bushes will work.

So if I had 5 acres, I would want a moveable tractor coop. Would protect the birds by providing something to run under and plenty options if they range around.

If you bought a trailer for this purpose, I think you have a plan. Build it and they will come.

 

[Hamiam]

We have 30 acres & had the same idea of wanting a chicken tractor. We ended up buying a goat trailer & modifying it. My husband complained when I made him add hardware cloth over the steel cage & there are still areas that concern me that a coon could reach in. For the most part, they roost on the top & only use the lower roost for a ladder. The bottom is steel & I had planned to let the dropping fall to the ground but I worry about feet & toes.. So I left the heavy livestock mats & I have cut to size linoleum pieces that I pull out daily, hose off, dry & place back. (Pics taken during cleaning time & before fresh hay in nesting box) The wings on the side lower in cold or bad weather & raise for ventilation during the hot Texas summer. Even the nesting box has ventilation. The solar motion light is more to alert us about coons but I'm not sure it bothers the coons. The chickens are locked up dusk till dawn & only in the run when we are not home. However, we did have 2 dogs attack the flock in our front yard as we sat eating breakfast. We were able to stop the attack before any deaths or serious injuries. So we are considering an electric poultry netting fence for when they are free ranging. The chickens run under the trailer when in the run so I haven't worried about Hawks. But I do worry about Hawks when they aren't in the run. However, they are pretty good about sticking close to the trees & bushes. There are loads of grass hoppers in the pasture but they won't follow me out there. I think my next chicken tractor, I'd like to start with a base trailer like you have. Wishing you the best!

 

[Hamiam]

This is the beginning of the conversion. My husband had removed the flat roof & welded on the metal to add new roof. We pull it around with our side by side/4 wheeler.

 

[The Draft]

Can't offer any coop advice, but I can tell you that an electric fence is super great protection! I see the foxes and raccoons but have never had an issue. Also, use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, which predators can easily rip through, on your coop.

Abriana Yes the electric fence allows me to sleep at night. Im a rocky!

Hawks are a concern. With 5 acres, I like the idea of a movable tractor to put them where you want them to work. Have you youtube'd Justin Rhodes? Lots of youtube videos to give us a feel of what we want.

Not sure that I'd build a tractor with wheels, but if your 5 acres is open, that should work. Do you have any Roosters? Everyone says they watch out for predators. I'm clueless. Just make sure they have cover to get under to protect from hawks and the electric fencing should work for ground attacks. Even bushes will work.

So if I had 5 acres, I would want a moveable tractor coop. Would protect the birds by providing something to run under and plenty options if they range around.

If you bought a trailer for this purpose, I think you have a plan. Build it and they will come.

RUNuts Thank you for the response. Your right go with my first plan. I purchased some wood last night to start when I get off work today on the trailer. I would love a roster, scarred about the roster getting aggressive with the hens and I'm not ready for chicks yet.

We have 30 acres & had the same idea of wanting a chicken tractor. We ended up buying a goat trailer & modifying it. My husband complained when I made him add hardware cloth over the steel cage & there are still areas that concern me that a coon could reach in. For the most part, they roost on the top & only use the lower roost for a ladder. The bottom is steel & I had planned to let the dropping fall to the ground but I worry about feet & toes.. So I left the heavy livestock mats & I have cut to size linoleum pieces that I pull out daily, hose off, dry & place back. (Pics taken during cleaning time & before fresh hay in nesting box) The wings on the side lower in cold or bad weather & raise for ventilation during the hot Texas summer. Even the nesting box has ventilation. The solar motion light is more to alert us about coons but I'm not sure it bothers the coons. The chickens are locked up dusk till dawn & only in the run when we are not home. However, we did have 2 dogs attack the flock in our front yard as we sat eating breakfast. We were able to stop the attack before any deaths or serious injuries. So we are considering an electric poultry netting fence for when they are free ranging. The chickens run under the trailer when in the run so I haven't worried about Hawks. But I do worry about Hawks when they aren't in the run. However, they are pretty good about sticking close to the trees & bushes. There are loads of grass hoppers in the pasture but they won't follow me out there. I think my next chicken tractor, I'd like to start with a base trailer like you have. Wishing you the best! View attachment 1108258 View attachment 1108256

Hamiam Thank you! Lots of ventilation, I need to get ventilation designed in my plan. My plan is very simulator, the hens will have access to the coop and enclosed 10 x 6 run when we are not home. The run and coop will be inside of the electric fence and let out inside of the electric fence when we can not keep a close eye on them. Almost every day so far I totally let them free range and I just hang out with them. They like to make sure I'm close and follow me around while I work outside. I really am enjoying there personality's.

 

[Hamiam]

@The Draft, where do you live at? Just wondering what predators you have there. We mostly have coons, owls, coyotes, red tail & kite hawks. I wouldn't have said dogs until recently. It's like I read someone say on the forum in the past, "you don't have predators until the day you do". If you go to articles & search for the title "chicken coop ventilation", it might help with your design.

The first coop my husband made years ago was also a chicken tractor. It was made from our son's old radio flyer wagon. It matched our house & when we sold the house the buyers wanted it to stay. I liked it better than this new one. However, it was smaller, heavy & difficult to move. I may talk my husband into building me another. I want to start a new flock. We need some green egg layers (our last name is Ham).

Sounds like you have a sweet flock. The pic of your one pullet is an Easter Egger, right? I love pics, do share!

 

[Hamiam]

One more thing, I have read others talk about stringing wires or cables across the top of a run to prevent hawks. It's something I plan to research. If it works, I would prefer to do that instead of aviary netting. Seems like it would be less expensive & easier to untie/unlatch & move each time we move the run. We move ours once a week.

 

[The Draft]

@The Draft, where do you live at? Just wondering what predators you have there. We mostly have coons, owls, coyotes, red tail & kite hawks. I wouldn't have said dogs until recently. It's like I read someone say on the forum in the past, "you don't have predators until the day you do". If you go to articles & search for the title "chicken coop ventilation", it might help with your design.
I live in northern Illinois and the predator list looks about the same. Add opossum.

The first coop my husband made years ago was also a chicken tractor. It was made from our son's old radio flyer wagon. It matched our house & when we sold the house the buyers wanted it to stay. I liked it better than this new one. However, it was smaller, heavy & difficult to move. I may talk my husband into building me another. I want to start a new flock. We need some green egg layers (our last name is Ham).

Sounds like you have a sweet flock. The pic of your one pullet is an Easter Egger, right? I love pics, do share!

One more thing, I have read others talk about stringing wires or cables across the top of a run to prevent hawks. It's something I plan to research. If it works, I would prefer to do that instead of aviary netting. Seems like it would be less expensive & easier to untie/unlatch & move each time we move the run. We move ours once a week.

The ladies are Bielefelder. I also read a lot about fighting against hawks. Hanging string across the top of the run, CD's, plastic owls and anything shinny. This sounds hard to move.

I started the coop build today. I moved the trailer to the building location and placed the first 3/4 inch plywood down.

Here are a few pictures from today.

 

[barred2rock]

Hawks are a concern. With 5 acres, I like the idea of a movable tractor to put them where you want them to work. Have you youtube'd Justin Rhodes? Lots of youtube videos to give us a feel of what we want.

Not sure that I'd build a tractor with wheels, but if your 5 acres is open, that should work. Do you have any Roosters? Everyone says they watch out for predators. I'm clueless. Just make sure they have cover to get under to protect from hawks and the electric fencing should work for ground attacks. Even bushes will work.

So if I had 5 acres, I would want a moveable tractor coop. Would protect the birds by providing something to run under and plenty options if they range around.

If you bought a trailer for this purpose, I think you have a plan. Build it and they will come.

The Rohdes (especially Mr. Brown) are awesome. I also really like Lumnah acres, they use several moveable tractors & coops.