Our Chicken Tractor Progress (New Photos)

[ChicksinBoise]

Wheww...this is turning out to be more work than I had planned. Hopefully it turns out to be worth it. Our 3 week old Chicks seem to like it so far.

Weekend 1:

Weekend 2:

Weekend 3: Getting closer, just need locks, add extra wire and roof ridge cover...

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Looks good. I would replace or overlap the chicken wire with Hardware cloth. Coons are rough critters and sometimes can get through chicken wire. Better safe than sorry. Other than that it looks very sound. They should be some happy gals.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

OH WOW!!! Very Nice!!

 

[ChicksinBoise]

Thanks! And yes, Colonel Sanders, you are absolutely right. I was planning on running something over the chicken wire. I have that wider stuff, the livestock wire I think it's called, since I already have it. Hopefully that will keep the raccoons out. They really are mean nasty creatures.

 

[ChicksinBoise]

Does anybody have any ideas on how best to install wheels on this coop?
Thanks!

 

[Colonel Sanders]

I would go with the fat blimpy type tires. They will be easier to move when the ground gets soft. Make the axle mount to the end and flip up on hinges when not in use. That way you can lower it to the ground after the move easier. It looks great.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

You could go with some lawnmower wheels. Just drill a hole thru you side and bolt them in. Don't forget the washers so the spin without digging a big hole.

Better yet, 2 lawnmower wheels. One on the outside, bolt thru the side, then thru the one on the inside. Should roll better for you

 

[ChicksinBoise]

Thanks you two for the ideas. Yes, I think the wheels would have to have some type of hinge system to flip them up and down when not using. I will have to figure out how that will work now.

I think Home D has those big fat wheels too...those would work nice.

 

[JFL1950]

I agree with Colonel Sanders
I went to http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=30900
They had them in the store for $4.98 last week and got like 6 of them.
I then drilled a 5/8" hole in a 2x4 and got a 5/8" x 5" long bolt with 3 washers and a nut and one lock washer for each tire it only raised the tractor about 2-3" and the ground around here isn't all that level so I think it will work out fine.
I know the chickens will not crawl under it at 3 weeks old.
This is what I built and works ok.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2417

 

[ChicksinBoise]

Quote:
Jfl, do you have pics to where I could see how you did that?
Thanks!