My mini-tractor

[MomMommyMamma]

I have removed all of the info and the picture because we did not use metal hardware cloth and this is causing some to feel anxious that I am putting our chicks out to be devoured by voracious animals all night long. Which is ABSOLUTELY NOT THE CASE. This was essentially a play-pen, daytime, short period play area for our little ones to hang out in on our deck. We homeschool and are home all day to watch over them. With 5 children around, the chicks are hardly left outside to fend for themselves.

I understand and understood prior to helping my sons make this little structure that IT WAS NOT PREDATOR PROOF.

Thank you for what I am assuming was all good hearted concern. I hope that I have not lead anyone astray and caused them to create such an unsafe structure in which they left their chickens outside in and lost them all to predators.

 

[DAFox]

It looks cute since your children built it, and I am sure they are very proud of it.

But, it is far from predator proof.

Dale-Ann

 

[MomMommyMamma]

Quote:
It's not meant to be predator proof. It's for little chicks who spend their day right on my porch and come in at night. It's just a nice break from the brooder for them.
It will keep cats and dogs and hawks from them. The entire thing is wrapped in hardware cloth.

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

That is such a good idea! I like it!

 

[paddock36]

I think you and your kids did a great job. A great way to keep them involved. I'm sure they are very proud.

 

[theoldchick]

Two thumbs up for the crew who managed to design and build this neat little tractor!

 

[hudsonhousechicks]

They did a really good job! I'll bet they're proud of it

 

[elmo]

Just a question about terms. When most people refer to "hardware cloth," they're talking about welded wire. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like what you have on the tractor is made from plastic. When people talk about using hardware cloth for predator protection, they're not talking about the plastic stuff, they're talking about the metal stuff.

You know that your little daytime playpen is not predator secure, though, so I 'm sure you're not leaving your chicks in there overnight or anything.

 

[MomMommyMamma]

Quote:
This is not metal hardware cloth. This is plastic type netting that is labeled by the manufacturer as "Hardware Cloth" that we purchased at Lowes. And no, it is not predator proof and no I do not leave the chickens in it at night as I mentioned above.

Thank you to all of those who gave us a positive pat on the back!

 

[DAFox]

Yes, Elmo, it looks like plastic mesh to me, too. If it is, then it is as good as no protection. I hope that we are wrong for the kids' sake.
Dale-Ann