Need help from experienced A-Frame chicken "tractor" owner - think I made a mistake...

[AuntFancy]

I am a new chicken owner. I have no idea how big these birds get. I bought a chicken tractor that is too big to move around my yard, and too heavy. But I really think I would rather build a 2x12 box underneath it to do the deep litter composting method anyways. Buyers remorse.

I really am not sure if this tractor is too small for my chickens in the top area? It is 8 ft long x 2 ft wide x 2 ft tall at high test point of triangle. Can six chickens fit or want to fit up there for a coop?

I have two brahmas, two ameracaunas and two barred rocks. About 4 wks old now. Don't know how tall/wide these hens will be (if they are hens, ha ha).

Will these chickens lay in that coop/roost? Or will I be collecting eggs on my hands and knees from the run below? Experience with this? Should I just buy a dog kennel and convert to a stationary run instead?

Maintenance issues with this type of coop?
Here is a very similar coop to ours http://catawbacoops.com/faq.html
Ours is 8x5x5 overall dimensions, 8x2x2 for the top portion.

 

[gillisjordan]

I am a new chicken owner. I have no idea how big these birds get. I bought a chicken tractor that is too big to move around my yard, and too heavy. But I really think I would rather build a 2x12 box underneath it to do the deep litter composting method anyways. Buyers remorse.

I really am not sure if this tractor is too small for my chickens in the top area? It is 8 ft long x 2 ft wide x 2 ft tall at high test point of triangle. Can six chickens fit or want to fit up there for a coop?

I have two brahmas, two ameracaunas and two barred rocks. About 4 wks old now. Don't know how tall/wide these hens will be (if they are hens, ha ha).

Will these chickens lay in that coop/roost? Or will I be collecting eggs on my hands and knees from the run below? Experience with this? Should I just buy a dog kennel and convert to a stationary run instead?

Maintenance issues with this type of coop?
Here is a very similar coop to ours http://catawbacoops.com/faq.html
Ours is 8x5x5 overall dimensions, 8x2x2 for the top portion.

4sqft per chicken is the rule of thumb. As far as laying, they enjoy a dark private nesting box to lay, I use golf balls in the nests to teach the hens where to lay. The golf balls show them where it is safe to lay and teaches them that they need to go into the nest to drop their egg off.

 

[21hens-incharge]

For the breeds you listed I think it will not have enough head room. Brahma (standard size) get quite large at about 10 pounds for a hen.

 

[AuntFancy]

I think it was a mistake, too. Too little room in there. Now to try to sell to someone else. Expensive mistake too.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Is there a way you can modify it? Like by making a frame and putting the whole thing on top, this would allow you to make the existing tractor into the coop area by adding some more wood and a bottom to the 5 foot wide area.

Just tossing the idea out there to see what sticks.

Babs

Bummer it is so small in the upstairs part.

 

[ygritte]

I converted my a-frame coop/paddock to just one large area and like it much more. It's 6 by 5 and the widest point and about 6 feet tall at the highest point.
I still need to add a nest box, which I'm planning on doing out of a big kitty litter 5 gallon plastic bucket. My 5 chicks are only 2 months old, so no laying yet, but they seem to like the setup. They have a solid windblock and plenty of ventilation.
I have skirting on all sides so it's pretty secure... Not that I think it's been tested yet.
I'm doing deep litter with tons of leaves. Haven't cleaned it since I put the birds in there... About a month, no smell.
I do plan on replacing the super ghetto piece of cardboard with plastic sheeting that I can roll up or down depending on weather... Just being cheap at the moment.

Just want to add: I live on the front range of Colorado if you were wondering what I was dealing with weather wise.

 

[AuntFancy]

Yes, perhaps I could just add a LARGE bottom to it. It is frustrating me that I spend the money but no one else will buy at this point on craigslist. Had it up for a few weeks. Sigh.
I already bought a dog kennel, thinking I would convert it. It is huge and made of strong steel that is welded together. So incredibly heavy-duty. I was trying to make it work with both setups, but alas, they are a similar size. A-frame footprint is 8x5, kennel footprint is 9x6. Was thinking of cutting the a-frame coop down by 1/2....then inserting bottom on legs (would be ~4x4)). I think that is what I will do if I have to. Hoping it will sell (fingers crossed). Otherwise I have a very expensive 4x4 coop and some scrap Plus have to enter the run every day to do egg duty in am. Am also going to have to put some sides onto what is left of the old coop's run bottom.