Our new chicken tractor! So glad it's finally done.

[aart]

WOW, that's quite the tractor.... nice job!!

Looks like the swivel casters should be moved outboard a bit more, doesn't look like they can turn all the way around.....but maybe that's on purpose?

 

[PlentywoodFarm]

Thanks aart. Yep, they need to be moved out. I think it'll help it turn a little easier too once we've made the change. It's on our list of "adjustments."

It's funny the number things you don't think of until you actually start rolling it and think, "well, that's not going to work."

 

[aart]

Thanks aart. Yep, they need to be moved out. I think it'll help it turn a little easier too once we've made the change. It's on our list of "adjustments."

It's funny the number things you don't think of until you actually start rolling it and think, "well, that's not going to work."

Live and Learn! 'Necessity is the mother of invention' and 'Experience is the best teacher'...geezz I'm full of clichés!

I find it extremely satisfying to solve the problems, even the ones I've created myself haha.. and mistakes should never discourage trying something cause you always learn something.

 

[PlentywoodFarm]

That is the truth! It's been a lot of fun, and I love the outcome. We'll probably continue tweaking for a long time.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Wow, Hummingbird Hollow, great design idea for the wheels. I'll have to let my husband take a look and see if the same design might benefit ours. The front wheels are on casters because he wanted it to be able to turn easily, but the back wheels are rigid and might just work. Do I understand you right, you used the minivan for a coop? That is such an unconventional idea! How has it worked out?

Yes, the back end of the minivan, seats removed was turned into a mobile coop (here's a photo of the interior)



Generally speaking, it worked pretty well. It was a life saver when we had to evacuate our property last summer due to the Waldo Canyon fire because we had 43 chickens at the time and got them all to safety. I'm in the process of making some improvements to reinforce the back "man door" of the tractor and I want to rework the way the tractor attaches to the van to allow the back hatch to open more easily and make it easier to move.

If you want, I started a thread when I began building it last summer with photos as I worked through the design and continued it during our adventures in escaping a forrest fire, dealing with predator break-in and so forth..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675624/mini-van-coop-fire-evacuation-mobile-predator-break-in

 

[PlentywoodFarm]

Wow, what a wonderful thread. I'm pouring through it now.

 

[aart]

......If you want, I started a thread when I began building it last summer with photos as I worked through the design and continued it during our adventures in escaping a forrest fire, dealing with predator break-in and so forth..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675624/mini-van-coop-fire-evacuation-mobile-predator-break-in

Wow, what a wonderful thread. I'm pouring through it now.

Quite the saga, eh? And well written too!

HH...will you be continuing or starting a new thread pertaining to how you use the vancoop this year?

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Quite the saga, eh? And well written too!

HH...will you be continuing or starting a new thread pertaining to how you use the vancoop this year?

I think I'll just continue on with the one I already started. I fixed the door yesterday finally and will be moving my little turkeys out there for day camp in a few minutes. We finally have some warm weather.

 

[tiny1985]

The mini van is the best lmao