Our New Cluck Wagon

[Missceegee]

Newbie here. Wanted to share some photos of our new Cluck Wagon. I got lots of inspiration from everyone’s posts and wanted to share ours.

Notes:

• We’re in Florida so cold isn’t a big issue. This is the year round chicken tractor/coop.
  Right now there are 13 hens and a rooster who sleep here.
• The birds have over 1600 sq feet of field to roam at a time inside their netting in addition to this coop/tractor.
• Materials we hand on hand: repurposed cedar we took from our old house when the new owners took it off the ceiling and we’re gonna junk it. ; misc pressure treated for frame; roofing tin; misc fasteners, etc.
• purchased items - old utility trailer from Craigslist; metal trailer grid bottom thing (technical term ) that is strong enough to walk on; medium size best nest box (roll away), automatic chicken door, electric netting

We started with an old utility trailer and stripped it bare and went from there. I just added the inside feeder yesterday and today or tomorrow will get the watering system finished. Then we already know we want to add more screen vents on the high side and feed storage on the tongue. Ideally, it would be a bit taller for human sake, but it works. I can get in and brush poop through the trailer bottom periodically though most falls through, thankfully. Floor square footage is 64’. Roost space is about 30 linear feet.

I’m thankful for my handy hubby and for all I learned helping.

 

[21hens-incharge]

That's pretty cool!

Can I make a suggestion?

The floor (expanded metal) is pretty hard for chickens to walk on. It might be worth putting a sheet of plywood over it except directly under the roosts.
It can help prevent bumble foot from hopping off the roost and landing on that metal as well as less chance of a foot getting caught in it.

 

[3KillerBs]

Wow! That's quite a build!

 

[Sally PB]

I like the name Cluck Wagon!

 

[Missceegee]

That's pretty cool!

Can I make a suggestion?

The floor (expanded metal) is pretty hard for chickens to walk on. It might be worth putting a sheet of plywood over it except directly under the roosts.
It can help prevent bumble foot from hopping off the roost and landing on that metal as well as less chance of a foot getting caught in it.

Hi 21Hens. Hmm. One of the main goals with this tractor was for poop to fall through. I certainly don’t want them injured in anyway, but given the low height, regular coop cleaning would be an extreme challenge. I have seen several similar bottoms or some with lighter weight wire over 2x4s. Thus far the birds have been in it about a week without issue. Though they spend most of the day pastured or under the tractor. Have many folks had issues with metal floors?

Thank you for the heads up. I was unfamiliar with bumble foot. I’m always learning. This is tractor two in 3 months We are brainstorming options to give them a safe landing and let the poop out. Open to ideas that serve both needs.

That's pretty cool!

Can I make a suggestion?

The floor (expanded metal) is pretty hard for chickens to walk on. It might be worth putting a sheet of plywood over it except directly under the roosts.
It can help prevent bumble foot from hopping off the roost and landing on that metal as well as less chance of a foot getting caught in it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Have you seen the rubber mats that have hexagon holes? That may give them a landing spot that isn't wire and still lets poo through.

Just one example....there are a ton of options out there.

There might even be something in entryway mats at Home Depot.

 

[Missceegee]

Have you seen the rubber mats that have hexagon holes? That may give them a landing spot that isn't wire and still lets poo through.

Just one example....there are a ton of options out there.

There might even be something in entryway mats at Home Depot.

View attachment 2737841

Excellent idea. I have these at my doors. And they’re lightweight and washable. I’ll try it and report back. Do you think the center aisle is enough or the whole floor?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Excellent idea. I have these at my doors. And they’re lightweight and washable. I’ll try it and report back. Do you think the center aisle is enough or the whole floor?

I would put them where they can land on them coming off the roost and so they can stand on them while eating at the very least.

It's a lot of floor to cover but if they are in there walking around I would be inclined to put them everywhere except under the roost.

Since this is a tractor hosing them off if needed could be done just before moving the tractor.

 

[aart]

The floor (expanded metal) is pretty hard for chickens to walk on.

Not to mention the shape of the holes could be real toe catchers....
...and the edges of the holes in expanded metal are usually very sharp.

 

[Missceegee]

I would put them where they can land on them coming off the roost and so they can stand on them while eating at the very least.

It's a lot of floor to cover but if they are in there walking around I would be inclined to put them everywhere except under the roost.

Since this is a tractor hosing them off if needed could be done just before moving the tractor.

We have two large ones from an old house. Gonna add those soon. They hose off easily and are soft. I really appreciate the suggestion.