Newbie needing tractor ideas

[hac1224]

I'm a newbie who is needing help with ideas for a medium sized affordable chicken tractor. We are renting a house in the country, which means no issues with having chickens but need to have a movable coop, etc. We are in the western piedmont of NC, so the winters don't get super cold and don't last long. We are figuring on getting 5-6 birds. We'd like Buff Orpintons but may not be able to get due to lack of local availability. We have looked at mostly simple A-frame designs but might consider a retangular tractor if needed. What size do I need for 5-6 hens in both the coop part and the run? What would be the best height for an A-frame? How many nesting boxes? 2 or 3? I need ideas! TIA!

 

[BioBob]

Good Evening:

I'm in the Eastern Piedmont, and I startrd with a Catawba Tractor. It was too small for my 8 "girls" so I took the Catawba design and improved on it.

The new one is 1 foot wider and 2 feet longer (4 x 10). By going a foot wider it is also a foot taller, solving what I thought was the most serious problem with the Catawba, too little room in the "upstairs" section for adult standard hens, and too little nesting space.

I used Cedar siding and a plastic roof, and the weight of the larger tractor is about the same as the original. I also use a 12 x 14 Gazebo attached to the tractor which allows me to leave it in one place for 3 to 4 days. When they have the grass mowed, I move them.

I'll attach a pic, and if you have any questions just holler.

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[hac1224]

Quote:
Thanks! I haven't thought of using the gazebo. I actually have two of those that are just in storage. That would give them a little extra "range" room without me allowing them to roam. I'll have to mention that to dh.

 

[kristenm1975]

Oh my gosh, that's so funny! I was just going to suggest the Catawba since that's what I build and love them, and you beat me to it, Bio Bob. What a creative way to add run space!! The cedar siding is a great idea too.

I've just finished making a Catawba with plywood doors and that not only cut the cost down but also the weight of the coop. I would recommend not using the OSB, which is what I used, as it's difficult to paint it enough to hide the oriented strands, but otherwise, it's working great.

Here's a link to an a-frame design by John Grogan, the author of the book "Marley and Me":

http://www.organicgardening.com/pdf/coop_plans.pdf

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Elwar]

Here's my tractor run. I'll be starting on the coop this weekend. I got the wheels attached a few days ago and it's very easy to move around. It's 8'X4'X3'H which is about bare minimum for 6 chickens, I'm hoping to end up with about 3 hens when my 6 chicks are fully grown.