Moveable Pastured Layer Houses

[anthonyjames]

So seeing as many of us have tractors for our meat birds. How many have moveable structures for their layers?

I am in the process of designing a moveable layer structure and was looking for plus' and minus' on what people like and dislike. Also, looking for some images of what people have and what they use to move them. Right now I will be using my truck to move daily/weekly.

As for size it should be able to hold between 200 - 300 maximum and would only be used while on pasture as for winter they are moved to hoop houses.

Thanks

 

[A.T. Hagan]

With the right wheels built in I suppose you could build a portable layer house that large seeing as how you'll be pulling it with a truck.

This is what I use.







I have six of this basic design in use right now with layer hens and breeder turkeys. About 9x9ft and will hold 12-15 layers or 5-8 turkeys. Not on wheels, but it could be done. The apron wire that you see around the bottom perimeter is what makes it work. When you want to move it lift the leading edge of the wire then pull to the new location. Mine are moved daily. Fully self-contained with water, feed, roosts, and nest boxes. I'm in Florida so they live in them year round.

So long as I keep the apron wire intact I've never lost a bird to a predator inside a tractor.

For pulling with a truck or tractor I'd put a bumper along the inside bottom of the backside so that the rear wall won't run over and possibly crush any birds. You can't really make it out clearly but the bottom photo shows one. It's a piece of plastic drainfield pipe (light and durable). When the birds are new to the tractor and haven't yet learned the pipe bumps them in the behind to keep them moving so the rear wall doesn't run over them.

 

[Matrix Escapee]

Mine holds 24 birds. About 10x14.

I use 2" diameter PVC pieces as rollers to move the pen. It is floorless like a Salatin pen. I will try to get more photos on here. Works great.

 

[Llewin]

Can you describe how you set up those 2" diameter PVC pipe pieces?

Also, how many sq ft per bird are necessary if they are day-ranging and only using the coop to roost and lay?

 

[BWKatz]

I have used a PVC day tractor for 2 yrs now with minor repairs to joints after 1 yr. Although I live in SC , it gets to freezing in the winter. The PVC becomes brittle above freezing so I have to use winter quarters. This year I plan on reusing the wire with 10' aluminum angle strips to replace the PVC. It should be just as light and more durable. I can easily lift end for chickens to enter or to move.

 

[BWKatz]

I keep 8 LF and 2 bantams in my 8x10 tractor.