Portable Forage Yard

[wolftracks]

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I have a whole page on the building of our chicken forager. It can be found here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=43104-chicken-tractor-forager

We use it for more than the originally intended purpose (confined, protected foraging).

This is what I want to do with the PVC. Now I'm thinking the tubs would also help me get things done faster and I can work on some others when I have more time. I love the hoop designs and how they make things lighter.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
I have a whole page on the building of our chicken forager. It can be found here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=43104-chicken-tractor-forager

We use it for more than the originally intended purpose (confined, protected foraging).

This is what I want to do with the PVC. Now I'm thinking the tubs would also help me get things done faster and I can work on some others when I have more time. I love the hoop designs and how they make things lighter.

We actually decided against using PVC b/c in our research we learned that it cracks easily. We live in New England and have cold winters & can have really hot spells in the summer, so we figured that using the irrigation tubing would last a lot longer than PVC.

 

[wolftracks]

OH I lived in Michigan when I was in junior high. I remember the cold. That's about all I remember. LOL

Don't have to worry about the extreme cold but gets really hot during the summer. I'm thinking of it more as being easy to clean and light enough that I can move it alone.

What's the cost difference and the ability to work with it?

 

[sunflowerenvy]

Quote:
This is what I want to do with the PVC. Now I'm thinking the tubs would also help me get things done faster and I can work on some others when I have more time. I love the hoop designs and how they make things lighter.

We actually decided against using PVC b/c in our research we learned that it cracks easily. We live in New England and have cold winters & can have really hot spells in the summer, so we figured that using the irrigation tubing would last a lot longer than PVC.

when design your portable day time pen you can made a hoop sytle out of wood, pvc, irrigation or metal pipe. you could pull it my hand or hook it up onto you lawn mover or atv. when add nest boxes make should you can get to the eggs easy .
and cover it half way with tarp so they get out of weather rain, sun,snow
also add couple of perch under the trap area in case it floods the birds can get out off the wet ground
have your food n water up off the ground. depending the size u might want to be able to stake each concer in case the wind want to blow over the hoop too

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

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I cut up the tops to make the dividers.

 

[wolftracks]

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I cut up the tops to make the dividers.

I love those. I can see getting things done without stressing so much about it.

This is a big big help for me.

So what else ya got? LOL

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

lol Im always adding to my website. Im working on more chicken project videos on youtube too.
http://www.youtube.com/user/RebelCowboySnB

Trying to make it worth subscribing to.

 

[wolftracks]

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I see you use ice cream containers too. LOL

My husband could go through a big tub a day. Never gained weight!

I've used a lot of them for water buckets. Good part is when they get to the point cleaning is a pain you can toss them.

I made a waterer for my little project chicks out of one of the squared of mayonaise containers. Cut the front out so they could poke their heds through and glued the top on. Works pretty good. Doesn't take up as much space as a round container.

I also save milk cartons. Make a head hole and fill with water. It gets dirty there's more cartons ready.

Have buckets with planter dishes in the big pens. I'm going to try to do the PVC feeders though, so I can give them more space.

 

[kcsunshine]

My tractor is on wheels. The little tunnels connect to each other and everything is lightweight and movable by me with no help. No, it isn't safe against large dogs but they're not left alone while out there. The tractor as well as the tunnels dock up to their covered run. They stand pushing against me when they've seen me moving everything around and can't wait until I get their little door opened. They're locked up tight in their roosting house at night and the dock door is locked up too.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

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Oh that is so cute seeing them, "Line up single file girls!" What a wonderful idea!