Poor man's chicken tractor

[DLCShark]

Here is my version of a chicken tractor.

So far it has cost me zero dollars. I am hoping to raise meat birds in two or three of these. Tell me what you think.

 

[Free Feather]

How big is it? Is it really light?

 

[DLCShark]

It's about 6 x 4. Maybe 6.5. The next one I'm going to make is 4 x 4.
As far as weight it's not heavy(I can lift it completely off the ground alone) but it's not and easy thing to do.

 

[Free Feather]

How many are going in there?

 

[enola]

What is it made of?

 

[DLCShark]

I don't know yet. I'm prepping for the spring when I order my meat birds. So I'd like to put as many as I can without over crowding and fit food and water in as well.

 

[enola]

If you are planning on putting food and water containers inside of the tractor, you are not going to have much room for chickens. Maybe 6-8 chicks when you are getting close to butchering at 8-10 weeks. I think you have a good plan in mind that needs some tweaking. Protection from the weather and predators is very important.

 

[Free Feather]

Even with six or eight you would have to move it a lot, at least every day. It would make a great grow out pen for chicks, though.

 

[DLCShark]

I plan on putting a tarp over half of the tractors. 5-8 birds per tractor would be cool with me. My first order will be 25 birds and they will be spaced out amongst the tractors.

I don't know what gauge wire this is. It was left over from building the fence for our dogs. If it can keep them in I think it can keep predators out. Not to mention we don't have a real predator problem other than my dog. The wood is reused 2 x 8s.

 

[enola]

A 4 X 4 pen would not be big enough for a feed & water containers and any chickens though.