My first chicken tractor

[Tomshell]

This is version 1.1 of my tractor. It is 7 x 4. I made some changes today,mainly adding an eggbox off the back and lowering the roost bar upstairs. It is a bit heavy, but I am able to easily move it around the yard. I used old repurposed redwood,except for the siding on top which I bought. Most of the other materials were scrounged here and there,so total cost was around 125 dollars. The girls have been in it for almost a week. These are my first chooks,and I am hooked. Some pics

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

How many chickens does it House?

 

[jddowdle]

Very nice great work.

 

[Tomshell]

How many chickens does it House?

Three. The plan is to allow them to free range an hour or so a day as well.

 

[aart]

Neat little tractor.....do the wheels tips into rolling position?
How high is the handle...like shoulder high?

Pretty small coop area(up above) for 3 birds.

 

[Tomshell]

Neat little tractor.....do the wheels tips into rolling position?

By pulling the lever with each wheel the tractor raises and the wheels are in position to roll

How high is the handle...like shoulder high?

No, handle is around 42"

Pretty small coop area(up above) for 3 birds.

Maybe. It is about 4 feet, not counting the nest box that hangs off on the outside. I read 8-10" of perch per bird to roost, but when I look in they are all snuggled at one end anyways,so that seems adequate. They only seem to go up there to rest,do you think they need more space than that? I didn't want to make a complicated thru the floor door,and I wanted easy access from the side to fill water etc. Thoughts?

 

[aart]

I read 8-10" of perch per bird to roost, but when I look in they are all snuggled at one end anyways,so that seems adequate.

Yes, 4' of roost length is fine for 3 birds. Could you post a pic of the inside of coop showing roost and entrance to nest?

They only seem to go up there to rest,do you think they need more space than that?

Maybe, it's tight for moving around.....how old are the birds now?
Do you get any extreme weather, heat, cold, rain?
Is the roof water tight?
During lousy weather it might be a bit crowded in there.

I didn't want to make a complicated thru the floor door

Good call...'floor doors' are a terrible waste of space. I like the ramp and the open end of coop will help ventilation.

It's a nice little tractor, but leaves no room for growth(larger/older birds and/or adding more birds).

 

[Tomshell]

Yes, 4' of roost length is fine for 3 birds. Could you post a pic of the inside of coop showing roost and entrance to nest?

Maybe, it's tight for moving around.....how old are the birds now?
Do you get any extreme weather, heat, cold, rain?
Is the roof water tight?
During lousy weather it might be a bit crowded in there.

2 of the birds are laying, and the pullet is about 4 months?
Weather is mild here,no excessive heat or cold. Baybe 40-80 average year round. Rain will happen in the winter and spring, some heavy, but roof should be water tight.

 

[plstal56]

Can you describe with a little more detail how the wheels work?

 

[Tomshell]

The wheels are off of a kids mini electric jeep. The levers were cut from an old lawnmower handle. Basically, the wheels are off center of the lever pivot bolt, so when the handle is raised the wheels are lowered. Make sense?