Little Tractor of Freedom

[MinicaFarmington]

Made a new little tractor for the girls (and boy). Finally! I’m kicking them out of the house next week, but it’s so nice that they can go out while I do other stuff. I’m free!!

 

[MinicaFarmington]

Omg they’re so tired!!

Hopefully they’ll sleep really good tonight, because they were up at 4AM this morning!

 

[21hens-incharge]

It's always a big deal when they can finally move out.

Nice little tractor there! I bet they enjoy being out.

 

[MinicaFarmington]

It's always a big deal when they can finally move out.

Nice little tractor there! I bet they enjoy being out.

Thx. They love it. Have added some things to it now that they’re happy out there.

I had been bringing them in my garden supervised, but it’s time to plant. Luckily, my dog only lets ppl/things she’s acquainted in the yard so I have a great alarm system too!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I love the sage green color you painted it!

 

[3KillerBs]

They look so happy!

But is that chicken wire? I can't quite tell in the photo.

Chicken wire is great for confining chickens, but won't protect them against stronger predators like dogs, coyotes, raccoons, and the like.

It's a viable day pen in an otherwise protected area, but should only be used with full awareness of it's limitations.

 

[MinicaFarmington]

They look so happy!

But is that chicken wire? I can't quite tell in the photo.

Chicken wire is great for confining chickens, but won't protect them against stronger predators like dogs, coyotes, raccoons, and the like.

It's a viable day pen in an otherwise protected area, but should only be used with full awareness of it's limitations.

Oh boy do I know it!! And it is chicken wire indeed. Although, I did put hardware cloth on the door so they can comfortably step in and out. It’s just to confine them during the day. They’re still sleeping inside at night.

We have bald eagles, hawks, Turkey vultures, raccoons, feral cats, and a red fox (named Cletus). But, this yard and everything that belongs in it, is the domain of Isla The Belgian Malinois… and ERRBODY know it! (We’re lucky to have her. She’s truly a gem.)

*Edit: added photos of Ms. Isla The Chicken Defender. And no, she won’t kill them. She understands the assignment.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Sometimes you can have them in a tractor just for the day if they are younger. (3-4 weeks) depending on how cold it is.

 

[gimmie birdies]

That kind of tractor is great if you have a fenced yard also, but if you have a dog, or a neighbor's dog, make sure the chicks have a place to hide, even if a dog cannot get to the chicks, they can still run circles around the pen and scare them to death.

 

[MinicaFarmington]

That kind of tractor is great if you have a fenced yard also, but if you have a dog, or a neighbor's dog, make sure the chicks have a place to hide, even if a dog cannot get to the chicks, they can still run circles around the pen and scare them to death.

It’s great for what I need it for atm for sure. It’s been accessorized with a shaded section and portable sandbox and little roosts. And the weather rn is just phenomenal! (Finally!)

I previously built another coop/tractor with hardware cloth and all the bells and whistles. It’s just heavy as and I probably will only use it if I need to isolate a birb here and there. Although, I could still schlep it around if needed.

I’m working on kitting out the lean-to style coop i built for my last flock and expanding the run this weekend. But, it’s all going to go in stages. Chicken Rome wasn’t built in a day.