My "A" Frame Chicken Tractor of Shame

[Echolalia]

So I've got three 16-week pullets and two 9-week old chicks. The big girls bully the little 'uns, so I thought that I'd finally build the A-frame tractor I had been too intimidated to try earlier.

Started with the frame, hardware cloth, bird netting, a tarp, and some plywood. I braced the plywood against the structure, using a couple of old wooden benches hold them in place - total eyesore and not terribly secure, either.

Today, I put in a wall & built the floor of what I hope will eventually be a nesting/roosting area. It was getting dark so I just started screwing random pieces of plywood into place to make the enclosure more secure. It now looks like it was built by a lunatic who just happened to have some power tools - plywood jutting out at weird angles, for no apparent reason. It wobbles, shakes and seems like it could implode if hit with a good sharp breeze. Nothing like learning your carpentry skills on the fly!

 

[BigIslandChicks]

sounds like you tried! and its a funny story lol - love to see some pics

 

[teach1rusl]

Also, keep in mind that it can be temporary - your older birds will be a bit more accepting by the time you two younger ones are closer in size (maybe 14-16 weeks of age), so you could blend them then. How it looks will not concern your chickens one whit - but how stable/secure it is WILL. So do make sure it's safe/predator proof.

 

[Hopper]

keep trying, and dont give up. Learning is half the battle. You will get there. We did and I just hope no one looks real close at some of our corners, hinges, coverings etc. LOL Chickens dont seem to care!

 

[Ole rooster]

I hope you posted this for a laugh. That was a good tale. Really funny.

 

[Echolalia]

Quote:
Sadly, no. I was venting about my appalling lack of carpentry skills. As of late, this also includes my apparently complete ignorance of workplace safety, unfortunately.

On Tuesday, I opened up a 2 inch gash on one of my thighs with a wood chisel, deep enough that I could see fatty tissue. Luckily, the people at the ER were chicken fans and totally accepting of what I was doing. Heck I live in SF - I'm sure they handle injuries with far weirder causes than mine on a regular basis.

On a good note, the "A" frame is more or less done - needs some paint, flashing on the roof and maybe some flower boxes. So ... yay me(?)

 

[juliaaa]

I say "Ya ME (you)!" Anything you build by yourself is totally worth it and no matter what looks perfect to you. AND who cares what others say/feel about it. If they don't like it tell them to go build you one themselves and see what they say

 

[dianaross77]

Quote:
Sadly, no. I was venting about my appalling lack of carpentry skills. As of late, this also includes my apparently complete ignorance of workplace safety, unfortunately.

On Tuesday, I opened up a 2 inch gash on one of my thighs with a wood chisel, deep enough that I could see fatty tissue. Luckily, the people at the ER were chicken fans and totally accepting of what I was doing. Heck I live in SF - I'm sure they handle injuries with far weirder causes than mine on a regular basis.

On a good note, the "A" frame is more or less done - needs some paint, flashing on the roof and maybe some flower boxes. So ... yay me(?)

Yikes! I hope you're okay. I've pulled some really stupid crap when using tools. Luckily I've never hurt myself seriously. It's no wonder when my husband watches me do anything with a tool or knife he looks like he's watching someone riding a skateboard on a pipe and landing on their crotch! But good for you for finishing it. I just put a wooden door/ramp on a plastic tote for my ducklings to sleep in. It's really special.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

The good news is, your chickens won't care.

But for us, WE need photos!

 

[bustermommy]

Quote:
When I got my rooster, he came from a home with a VERY nice coop. Mine was less than wonderful and when he went up the ramp for the first time, he stopped, looked in and then looked around at me with a look on his face that said, clear as day:

"THIS is where you expect me to live? Really?"

He did get over it after a couple of weeks but I had to remind him several times that his previous owner was willing to give him up for rooster stew.