Need help with super simple "tractor"..

[hemolymph]

I want something temporary I can put my 3 week old's in while I am waiting on my coop. Just something they can scratch around in outside while I watch them. I am thinking just like a small rectangle shape wood frame and I can staple some plastic chicken wire around it.
But I have NO idea how to do this stuff but I am thinking it can't be that hard?

Is there any directions anywhere for a super simple rectangle wood frame?

Thanks,
Jen

 

[paddock36]

How about a triangle shape. I have an old one on my byc page that was fairly easy. I made it out of scrap wood.

 

[00BlasterResto]

Not to much to explain, just decide on what size you want it and build a rectangle box out of 2x4 or whatever you have handy.
If your chicken wire is 36" wide just make it easy and space your boards at about 34" and staple it on.
A couple of hinges and a latch and your done.
Something similar to this, mabey put a welded wire bottom in it or no bottom.
Build 2 rectangles, then add the veritcle boards. Add a wheel or 2 at the end if you want to.

 

[TN_BIRD]

Quote:
To keep weight and cost down, I I'd use 2x2s (or maybe even some 1x2s) instead of 2x4s.

A rectangular box is easy, but so too is an A-frame.

Essentially you build 2 triangles to serve as the vertical walls and then connect them with horizontal boards on each of the 3 corners of the triangles. Depending on the size, you might not even need to make a door....just simply tip the thing up to open.

Heck, you could even use some saw horses. You can buy saw horse brackets at the hardware store that simply require you to make simple 90* cuts with 2x4s (no fancy miter cuts required). You can make the legs and horizontal boards whatever size you want.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Jen--I have a wire dog crate that I use for my babies to go outside in. I took out the plastic tray and just ziptied some hardware wire around it to keep them from escaping. I already had everything so it was free. Works great and is very easy to move. I had 8 chicks in there last spring (rocks and wyandottes). This spring it will be silkies. Best thing was when I was done, I just clipped the zipties and folded up the crate for storage.

 

[hemolymph]

Ok I think I am going to go with a rectangle frame.


So I need 4 pieces of long pieces of wood? _______________
then 4 pieces of shorter wood for the width? _______
then 4 posts?


can anyone recommend the size of wood i need to get? i don't understand what "2x4" means

i am probably going to go to the hardware store today to buy this.

thanks for the help!

Jen

 

[Bearsfan]

That depends on how many chickens you're going to have in there.

Also whether they are large fowl or bantam size.

FWIW, I just used a play-yard and put a peice of plywood on the top.


Here is the play yard with no top on it. It was great and portable.

 

[Bearsfan]

A standard 2x4 comes in different lengths like 8', 10' ect.

Lets say you have an 8' 2x4. It would be 8' long and aprox. 4" wide and 2" thick.

I hope I don't confuse you here but a 2x4 is actually 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" and not 2"x4" but we still call them 2x4's. Just so you know when you are drawing out your plan/blueprint.

 

[Daphne16]

Quote:
This is what I plan to use for now until the coop and run are done. Actually it is going to be my brooder in the house at first then use it outside with me right there.

 

[Bearsfan]

Quote:
This is what I plan to use for now until the coop and run are done. Actually it is going to be my brooder in the house at first then use it outside with me right there.

That play-yard has worked for my chickens in a few different situations.
It was where my birds lived for a month this winter in the garage after the blizzard.
I just set it up in the garage on top of a tarp and threw some chips on the tarp, then pulled a sheet over the top and zip tied the sheet on the top.
*Presto* Instant hillbilly coop! I know it was a little tight for 7 large fowl hens but they did alright.
Here's a link to that fiasco in case your interested https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=428770


If something ever happens to that play-yard, I'm going to find one at a garage sale. It has been so handy.