Portable (Tractor) or Permanent?

[adeleroy8]

Its been 18 months at my new place and I still don't have chickens. I just can't decide on getting a portable (Tractor) style coop or a permanent one. Live in an area with coyotes, hawks, loose dogs etc...and I'm afraid a portable will not be safe enough. Or are they safe enough? Also worried about the grass & landscaped areas b/c I want them to free range. My husband is NOT crazy about the idea of getting chickens. Any advise?

 

[Monguire]

Best advice I can give is to thine own self be true. If you are willing/able to move a tractor every 3-4 days (in the cold, in the rain) to fresh grass then a tractor can be a GREAT thing depending on your flock size. Larger flocks require larger coops/runs and larger coops/runs are more difficult to move. The average BackYarder with less than 8 hens could certainly fortify a tractor sufficiently to handle any predator up to and including bear (with electric fencing). We actually bought one of those cheap chinese stationary coop/run kits and with a little extra wood and screws, turned it into a fortified tractor.

 

[adeleroy8]

Thanks Monquire...I think I have decided to go with the tractor. Can you send me a pick of yours? And...did you run electrical wire around the actual coop and still be portable?

 

[Monguire]

Pics attached...first is how the kit is supposed to look and then how ours looks.



We made some major mods...like tossing the original heavy roof panels for super-lightweight polycarb and tossing a 21x27 window in the front of the coop for natural light and ventilation.

I did get an automatic door opener, an electric fence energizer and solar panel/battery. I haven't figured out the best way to run polywire around the base yet...but as soon as I do, it'll be electrified to add another layer of defense against critters.

 

[adeleroy8]

More great info...love your coop. Which auto door did you get & are you happy with it? Will research poly wire tomorrow,

 

[Monguire]

We went with the Pullet-Shut door with the photo sensor (opens at dawn, closes at dusk). Seems engineered/built very well. I don't have to roll my arse out of bed at dawn to let them out of the coop and into the run so for that reason alone I am very happy with it.