meaties in pvc tractor (pics)

[Kim_NC]

I'd love to see it too, Esteri.

 

[Kim_NC]

Quote:
Update - the meaties have come up with a use for the square thing in the middle that's supposed to be a feeder. It's become their roost! LOL

 

[SouthFloridaChickens]

This is a stupid question but would my laying chicks be happy in that PVC 'tractor'? Or is there not enough room for roosts and nesting boxes? I have 8 chicks. Thanks in advance, I'm a newbie!

Johnna

 

[bnentrup]

Quote:
Update - the meaties have come up with a use for the square thing in the middle that's supposed to be a feeder. It's become their roost! LOL

Perfect concept! I just love it when a plan comes together. Now, we will all have the square 'thing' in the middle of our tractors

 

[Kim_NC]

Quote:
The standard plans for the tractor are 10' X 10' - that's 100 sq ft. Your 8 chicks would have 12.5 sq ft each. That's plenty, especially if you move it and keep them on fresh grass. I have 4 chickens (3 layers + roo ) in a 24 sq ft tractor that's moved daily. They're quite happy.

The challenge would be adding a nest box, and keeping it light weight. I'm thinking maybe a couple plastic milk crates mounted to one side by attaching to the top pvc pipe. And mount them close to the door or you'll be crawling on your knees to collect eggs. LOL. There is a second version of the same plans that's taller - meant for turkeys, and might be a little more "layer friendly". They could roost higher in there, and it wouldn't be as low if there were a need to get under the tarped area.

I was actually planing to put a group of 8 week old pullets in our meatie tractor, once the meaties were in freezer camp. Thought that'd be a great way for them to finish growing up through the Summer. Then in Fall I'll move them to a coop and start another batch of meaties.

 

[chicknerd]

Quote:
My DH, who makes his living designing structural things says he thinks the square in the middle is for perching. There is no structural reason for it there.

Its a great idea to use PVC for a tractor. We are going to make one now that we have seen this design. And we are doing the door on the side too.

We have layer pullets and are using it as a moveable pen, not coop for the girls. They have a coop, but we want them to go to different parts of our small orchard to feast on bugs. Since I have Polish and lots of hawks I need something covered.

Thanks for sharing everyone!

 

[Fishin4eggs]

Here is a link I discovered in my internet travels....the designer says the square in the middle is for a perch.

http://www.pvcplans.com/pvc-pastured-poultry-pen.htm

I hope this helps everyone who is planning on building this!!!

 

[Peruvian]

Can anyone give me a sense of what it cost them to build this type of tractor? I really like my hoop house design, until I have to move it!!

 

[patimekiller]

I have some chicken tractors that are made from wood and are easy to move by one person I am putting my meat birds in it tonight and I will take pics of them from all angles they are built tough full size 2 x 4 s 8 ft x 14 ft I think you will like them . I will try to post the pics tonight round dark if I can figure them out I figured 50 birds per pen that's lots of room per bird 2.24 sqft per bird

 

[Supermommy486]

Very cool!