Light weight and durable chicken tractor

[PandaGirl]

The photo is what I want it to be. Carpet is a great idea and one I had never though of! Does anybody have a chicken tractor like the one I showed and used plywood? Is it super heavy?

 

[Aunt Tat]

Lightweight, durable, and cheap are factors that tend to act against each other.

A cattle-panel hoop design might be the best compromise depending on the availability of the semi-mythical "inexpensive, used cattle panel" that is so often referenced in build articles for both chicken coops and garden structures.

We have a store in the Portland area called Coastal
https://www.coastalcountry.com/prod...ntent_a4b74609-1d75-4af2-a67d-0c7a8e28c0ea_en

Another store has them: WIlco

And of course the ubiquitous https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/cattle panels?

Now if you don't live near a rural area it might be worth a drive to the "country" to pick some up. (Rent a truck or van when you get there to drive back or take bolt cutters if you don't need them so long. The 16' panels can be cut down to desired size.

 

[3KillerBs]

We have a store in the Portland area called Coastal
https://www.coastalcountry.com/products/farm-fence/fencing/50-in-x-16-ft-steel-5-ga-cattle-panel-trii17566?_t_q=cattle panels&_t_hit.id=Luminos_Storefront_Core_Catalog_CommonProduct/CatalogContent_a4b74609-1d75-4af2-a67d-0c7a8e28c0ea_en

Another store has them: WIlco

And of course the ubiquitous https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/cattle panels?

Now if you don't live near a rural area it might be worth a drive to the "country" to pick some up. (Rent a truck or van when you get there to drive back or take bolt cutters if you don't need them so long. The 16' panels can be cut down to desired size.

I'm in a rural area with plenty of sources for new cattle panels at full price.

I just phrased it that way because I have read so many gardening and chicken keeping article that talk about "inexpensive, used cattle panels" but never never seen a used cattle panel for sale anywhere -- even on Craig's List.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I've not even seen "used, cheap cattle panels" offered when what was once fam land or rural residential was converted into yet another zero lot line subdivision.

Expect I will sooner find a yeti riding a unicorn.

 

[3KillerBs]

I've not even seen "used, cheap cattle panels" offered when what was once fam land or rural residential was converted into yet another zero lot line subdivision.

Expect I will sooner find a yeti riding a unicorn.

Exactly.

 

[AmericanFDC]

How about repurposing an old trampoline? I just saw that in some older threads today.

 

[poultryprofessor]

These hoop coops are what we are currently using at the university here in Jeff City, MO. Build cost depends on your preferences, but ours ran about ~$300-350 with current lumber prices. I am working on a comprehensive build guide, but the original plans were made based on this publication out of Kentucky. Just note their cost specs are very out of date and they assume some general knowledge of tools/materials. I can also provide a draft of our comprehensive guide if someone is interested. Eventually the full guide will be publicly available - just needs some editing and pictures.

Our initial build used their 5mil tarps because they are cheap, but I will tell you they did not hold up. Between rubbing on a few rough points of wire/wood/etc and UV damage from the sun, they had large tears and were visibly degraded within about six months. We replaced both with 10-mil tarps which were more expensive, but have lasted longer. You definitely will want to secure the structure to the ground. We just tie the braces on the front to t-posts driven into the ground or use ground anchors.

These are roughly 8 x 8 and have worked well for ~15 pullets/hens.

 

[3KillerBs]

These hoop coops are what we are currently using at the university here in Jeff City, MO. Build cost depends on your preferences, but ours ran about ~$300-350 with current lumber prices. I am working on a comprehensive build guide, but the original plans were made based on this publication out of Kentucky. Just note their cost specs are very out of date and they assume some general knowledge of tools/materials. I can also provide a draft of our comprehensive guide if someone is interested. Eventually the full guide will be publicly available - just needs some editing and pictures.


View attachment 2618495

Our initial build used their 5mil tarps because they are cheap, but I will tell you they did not hold up. Between rubbing on a few rough points of wire/wood/etc and UV damage from the sun, they had large tears and were visibly degraded within about six months. We replaced both with 10-mil tarps which were more expensive, but have lasted longer. You definitely will want to secure the structure to the ground. We just tie the braces on the front to t-posts driven into the ground or use ground anchors.

These are roughly 8 x 8 and have worked well for ~15 pullets/hens.

I would love to see that guide.

 

[Tre3hugger]

I would love to see that guide.

X2 please @poultryprofessor

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Our initial build used their 5mil tarps because they are cheap, but I will tell you they did not hold up. Between rubbing on a few rough points of wire/wood/etc and UV damage from the sun, they had large tears and were visibly degraded within about six months. We replaced both with 10-mil tarps which were more expensive, but have lasted longer. You definitely will want to secure the structure to the ground. We just tie the braces on the front to t-posts driven into the ground or use ground anchors.

Curious if you have considered sourcing some used/recycled billboard materials as a tarp alternative. I know they lack grommets, but that vinyl is definitely weather ready, and runs 9-16 oz, essentially 11-17 mils thickness. I'm sure the chickens don't care about sheltering under an advertisement. I've not compared pricing - just curious.