need ideas for larger chicken tractor

[jonesfamily82]

I'm new here, but have been reading all I can about chickens and portable coops. We've had chickens for several years, never knew this site existed until a few days ago! It could have helped me alot along the way. We have a large acreage, but are just hobby farmers. I have 9 hens, a rooster, duck, a pair of guineas and just got this weekend another duck and baby turkey. We have lots of grass, but have to keep the birds contained for their protection from neighbor dogs and the protection of my flower beds. We'd like to build a moveable coop/run for summer, but it needs to be a little bigger than most I am seeing because of the number of birds we have. We dont need to be able to move it by hand as we can use a 4wheeler or gator to move it around the yard. Any ideas to get started or pictures of ones that have been done?
TIA!
Melissa

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Do a search on BYC for coops/ tractors you'll find some really great coops...Good luck!

 

[jonesfamily82]

I tried that before posting, but most seem to be for 2-6 birds. I have alot more than that.
thanks,
Melissa

 

[elmo]

How about something like this?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2076936

 

[jonesfamily82]

Thanks! I do like that one, but will need something for 24/7 use during the summer. Still need to be able to lock the birds up at night. Too many wild critters around here. I like the hoop idea for the pen, but would need a small house to attach it too. Even if it latched together after being moved into place. Hmm.. you've got me thinking.
Melissa

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Do a search on hoop houses. Mine will easily accomodate ten chickens, as many as twelve for the smaller breeds like Leghorns. Nest boxes and roosts included. The only drawback is that they are a bit heavy. Wheels would take care of that.

.....Alan.

 

[shopchicks]

I'd look for a used utility trailer, and build the coop right on top of that, and make a hoop run that is detachable from the coop to make things easier to move.

 

[Mtn Cur]

Check this out. You can use 2x4's around the bottom, less wood and more wire front and back (to cut weight down) also install wheels on one end for mobility. And then you have a tractor that probably weighs less than mattress and is hard for wind to turn over. Another benefit is you can make as big or small as you want.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3227009

 

[ChickBond 007]

Click below on Old Style Hen House tractor in my signature.

 

[jonesfamily82]

ChickBond 007 I've seen your Old Fashioned Chicken Tractor on here and had flagged it as a possible design! I really like it, and it looks fairly easy to build, plus really portable and would fit under my fruit trees.

Mtn Cur, shopchicks, A.T. Hagen- Thanks for the advice!! I was actually looking on Craig's list this morning, for a cheap broken down horse trailer to remake into a moveable coop. Found one for $45, but waiting to see if they still have it. I was just trying to figure out how to make the run separate to move, then hook together. The hoop design looks like it would work well. and be cost efficient to build. I've had a hog panel arbor for years and it has worked great. We have lots of recycled materials around her and we like to improvise! Just have to get DH behind me.

One question for any kind of trailer. What do you do about gaps that happen because of uneven ground? Can you put wire on the bottom to keep out predators? We'd lock them in at night to protect against raccoons and foxes, but our biggest killers around here are dogs that roam. Last year dogs killed every one of my free range chickens and ducks in a matter of minutes. In the middle of the morning, not at night.

Thanks,
Melissa