please review my chicken tractor

[momof12]

Hi guys. we have spend this past week building this chicken tractor, it is 11.5 ft square. highest pt is 6 ft. There will be a door it is just waiting for hinges. we used 14 guage 2in by 2in welded wire for around the edges of the tractor, 5 5galloon pails for nests, fence posts for the roosts and a plywood stand for water and food. Can you all take a look at the pictures and give me your ideas, concerns and criticisms. Also can you please tell me what you think it would sell for ? ( My son is thinking about making a couple for next spring to sell.)

 

[black_cat]

My only criticism is that the lips on the nesting boxes could probably be a bit higher, to have more space for bedding. Otherwise it looks amazing! You say that it's 11.5 feet square? What is the length and width?

 

[Bear1978]

Nice design, however I would reinforce the welded wire with 1/2in hardware cloth at least 19 gauge. As a coon can reach through that size welded wire and snag a chick. Also they can dig under it too so not sure how you would incorporate an anti dig skirt into the tractor as it’s supposed to be movable?

 

[momof12]

My only criticism is that the lips on the nesting boxes could probably be a bit higher, to have more space for bedding. Otherwise it looks amazing! You say that it's 11.5 feet square? What is the length and width?

I am sorry I meant it is 11.5 by 11.5 ft 3ft tall at the shortest and walkin heightof 5ft 10 in

 

[momof12]

Nice design, however I would reinforce the welded wire with 1/2in hardware cloth at least 19 gauge. As a coon can reach through that size welded wire and snag a chick. Also they can dig under it too so not sure how you would incorporate an anti dig skirt into the tractor as it’s supposed to be movable?

we do plan on reinforcing it with hardwarecloth however due to covid it is out of stock here in edmonton alberta, however we do not have racoons so we will wait for it to be in stock. we will be adding a chicken wire skirt that will be staked down when not being moved. also what do you think is a reasonable selling price for our son to list them for ?

 

[Vickischics]

we do plan on reinforcing it with hardwarecloth however due to covid it is out of stock here in edmonton alberta, however we do not have racoons so we will wait for it to be in stock. we will be adding a chicken wire skirt that will be staked down when not being moved. also what do you think is a reasonable selling price for our son to list them for ?

Personally I would not buy that style of coop. I like my girls to be well protected from preditors and I like having easier access to my eggs without trying to reach inside. I also like to be able to walk into my coop. My roosting bar is square and at the same level to prevent fighting plus, I don't want it so close to the metal roof that gets hot. The wood used will need to be pressure treated for wear otherwise, it will rot.
The individual sale price will depend upon the area you live and the demand for that particular style of coop.
An example might be looking at your local Craigslist to view comps. Remember, it's hard to recover your costs and labor when your making it with retail supplies and building it as a hobbyist. Good luck, on your new adventure.

 

[momof12]

Personally I would not buy that style of coop. I like my girls to be well protected from preditors and I like having easier access to my eggs without trying to reach inside. I also like to be able to walk into my coop. My roosting bar is square and at the same level to prevent fighting plus, I don't want it so close to the metal roof that gets hot. The wood used will need to be pressure treated for wear otherwise, it will rot.
The individual sale price will depend upon the area you live and the demand for that particular style of coop.
An example might be looking at your local Craigslist to view comps. Remember, it's hard to recover your costs and labor when your making it with retail supplies and building it as a hobbyist. Good luck, on your new adventure.

Vickichics, I totally agree about a coop, this is not our permenant coop this is just a movable tractor for the summer months to prevent the dogs from getting to them. we have a large coop and run. we just wanted to allow our chickens to have a safe place to free run in the back part of our yard that is wild. our neighbor's dog can bother them in the back

 

[jreardon1918]

It looks like the top row of nests are higher than the roosts. That might encourage sleeping in the nests. If that is the case, you might eliminate the top two buckets.

 

[21hens-incharge]

How many birds will be using it? You may only need a few nest boxes.

My concerns would be....

Heat radiating from the metal making the area extra hot.
The weight being light and the metal roof could make it prone to wind lifting it/flipping it.
Access to the shorter side looks like it would be difficult.

Personally I think a hoop house tractor would be more practical and less expensive to make.

 

[aart]

I'd use it for a season before selling any.
How well does it move over 'rough' ground?
How is it moved?
Is it only for daytime use?
Nests are, meh, agrees higher fronts, but also need perches in front of the higher ones.
You can buy bucket 'lids' with perches for nests.