Mongoose proof chicken tractor

[ChickenHopefulddd]

We recently lost our five chickens, apparently to mongooses (we live in Hawaii). We honestly didn't think they would go for full size birds. Since free ranging seems not to be an option right now, we're working on a coop while we try to find chicks to start a new flock. From what I'm reading, hardware cloth with an apron is suggested over chicken wire, but is there anyway to make a chicken tractor using it? We want to be able to move them around the farm. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also looking for a source for buying baby chicks. Thanks so much!

 

[3KillerBs]

IIRC, it's @aart who has a tractor with a flip-up skirting.

 

[aart]

IIRC, it's @aart who has a tractor with a flip-up skirting.

I did.
Sold it, not sure how it worked out long term.
Like any tractor, it needs to be on fairly smooth ground with shorter vegetation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/

 

[ChickenHopefulddd]

IIRC, it's @aart who has a tractor with a flip-up skirting.

Thank you so much!

 

[ChickenHopefulddd]

I did.
Sold it, not sure how it worked out long term.
Like any tractor, it needs to be on fairly smooth ground with shorter vegetation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/

Great idea, seriously. Our ground is very uneven at the moment and the mongooses (mongeese?) have proven pretty crafty little buggers. I think we might have to forgo mobility for the coop at this time and bury the hardware cloth at least 12". Your article and all the pointers are very helpful and inspiring though. Hope you keep finding solutions and sharing them.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Aloha!
So sorry for the loss of your birds.
Plural of mongoose is mongoose!
I keep my birds in coops with attached runs covered with 1/2 inch hardware cloth with a 12 inch apron tacked down with 6 inch landscaping staples. Mongoose are serious daytime predators that can climb, dig and get through small spaces. Hardware cloth is expensive but worth it to avoid the heartache.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Oh and welcome to BYC!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Paradise Poultry on the Big Island is an excellent source for beautiful and also some rare breeds. Good people, too. They do ship inter island.
Some of the big hatcheries ship to Hawaii, though the USPS has had delays with chicks this past year. There is also Craigslist for backyard breeders and folks who are selling chicks they have had shipped from the mainland.
Depends on what you are looking for.

 

[aart]

Great idea, seriously. Our ground is very uneven at the moment and the mongooses (mongeese?) have proven pretty crafty little buggers. I think we might have to forgo mobility for the coop at this time and bury the hardware cloth at least 12".

That's the best bet.
No need to bury wire, do mongoose dig?
A permanent apron can work fine, might have to bury partially where ground is uneven.

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208
.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

That's the best bet.
No need to bury wire, do mongoose dig?
A permanent apron can work fine, might have to bury partially where ground is uneven.

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208
.

Mongoose dig! Though I agree an apron is sufficient.