So, with my plans almost complete in my head, I set out to build a tractor.
I'm making an a-frame tractor. The run will be 8' long; the triangle sides are just about 4'. After calling around for fencing prices today... I realized I had several rolls of chain link fencing I had come across a few years ago and kept. WHEW! I was being given prices over $250 for new fencing! I had already decided I would not go with chicken wire because it would probably not keep out coons.
I'll not be putting fencing on the bottom, as that would defeat the purpose of making a tractor as opposed to a stationary coop.
Although I'm working on the run first, I'll make the house/coop part to butt up against the run. What I intend is to make it the same 3 equal sided triangle a-frame, but only 4' long. So, 4' in all directions.
I'm in Eastern Ontario, Canada, not too far from the shore of Lake Ontario; so although winter is winter, it's tempered by the Lake. My sister in New Hampshire often has worse winter weather.
After reading much on fresh-air coops, I have decided I will close the house part in, but will not insulate or heat it. For winter I'll tuck it up on the south side of my garage for protection from the north wind.
I thought I'd build it so that I'll be able to use the deep litter method throughout the winter. Not only for the ease of it, but for the heat build up.
The run will have it's door at the end. The house part... I haven't figured out yet.
I also have no idea yet how I'll do the lay-out inside it.
I'll probably get a small bit of hardware cloth and have a vent that is adjustable.
I'm wondering if chain link fencing will keep predators out well enough to leave the door to the house open always.
Will the predators be able to dig underneath the tractor's run even if it's moved every few days throughout the decent weather? I thought when I fix it against the south wall come winter, I could do something to make it safer against the diggers.
I also do not know if this size will be adequate for 3 Barnevelders, 1 bantam Wyandotte, and a Silkie.
I know I'm asking for a lot of advice... but any little bits will help at this point.
I'm attaching a picture of the run's frame that I painted tonight in preparation for attaching the chain link tomorrow. (OKay, maybe not! I'm not seeing the option to attach one!)
(let's try this
WHEW! That's a lot of words!
Thanks in advance for any comments or advice.
I'm making an a-frame tractor. The run will be 8' long; the triangle sides are just about 4'. After calling around for fencing prices today... I realized I had several rolls of chain link fencing I had come across a few years ago and kept. WHEW! I was being given prices over $250 for new fencing! I had already decided I would not go with chicken wire because it would probably not keep out coons.
I'll not be putting fencing on the bottom, as that would defeat the purpose of making a tractor as opposed to a stationary coop.
Although I'm working on the run first, I'll make the house/coop part to butt up against the run. What I intend is to make it the same 3 equal sided triangle a-frame, but only 4' long. So, 4' in all directions.
I'm in Eastern Ontario, Canada, not too far from the shore of Lake Ontario; so although winter is winter, it's tempered by the Lake. My sister in New Hampshire often has worse winter weather.
After reading much on fresh-air coops, I have decided I will close the house part in, but will not insulate or heat it. For winter I'll tuck it up on the south side of my garage for protection from the north wind.
I thought I'd build it so that I'll be able to use the deep litter method throughout the winter. Not only for the ease of it, but for the heat build up.
The run will have it's door at the end. The house part... I haven't figured out yet.
I also have no idea yet how I'll do the lay-out inside it.
I'll probably get a small bit of hardware cloth and have a vent that is adjustable.
I'm wondering if chain link fencing will keep predators out well enough to leave the door to the house open always.
Will the predators be able to dig underneath the tractor's run even if it's moved every few days throughout the decent weather? I thought when I fix it against the south wall come winter, I could do something to make it safer against the diggers.
I also do not know if this size will be adequate for 3 Barnevelders, 1 bantam Wyandotte, and a Silkie.
I know I'm asking for a lot of advice... but any little bits will help at this point.
I'm attaching a picture of the run's frame that I painted tonight in preparation for attaching the chain link tomorrow. (OKay, maybe not! I'm not seeing the option to attach one!)
(let's try this
WHEW! That's a lot of words!
Thanks in advance for any comments or advice.
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