PVC Chicken tractor with shadecloth

[sonstoffie]

Good day,

We have invested in portable electrified poultry netting to fence off an area for geese and chickens.

The next step is to build a safe portable coop/tractor for the chickens were they can stay overnight (within the fenced off area), protected from the elements of nature. A chicken run is not required, we want them to range freely during the day within the fenced off area.

Some resources with coop/tractor ideas include the below:

• https://www.pvcplans.com/pvc-plans
• https://project.theownerbuildernetwork.co/2017/01/27/pvc-chicken-tractor/

We are leaning towards a PVC frame design with a thick shade cloth and perhaps a lightweight material like poly carb sheets for a roof. No wire around the frame, just shade cloth.

Please share your thoughts.

We live in a sub-tropical climate with abundant sunshine and lots of rain in summer.

Thanks
Christine

 

[21hens-incharge]

First thoughts...

PVC doesn't hold up well in the elements.
It would be prone to being blown away if not strongly anchored.
Shade cloth lets rain and wind in.
Poly panels can act as wind sails and rip off or aid in the whole structure being blown over.

Predators in your area?

 

[sonstoffie]

First thoughts...

PVC doesn't hold up well in the elements.
It would be prone to being blown away if not strongly anchored.
Shade cloth lets rain and wind in.
Poly panels can act as wind sails and rip off or aid in the whole structure being blown over.

Predators in your area?

Thank you for your thoughts, it is valuable.

Yes, we have predators and hope to keep them out with the electrified netting (height: 1.12m)...? To name some we have seen: caracal, jackals, genets, serval wild cat, African wild cat and civet.

 

[ChaosMom]

Thank you for your thoughts, it is valuable.

Yes, we have predators and hope to keep them out with the electrified netting (height: 1.12m)...? To name some we have seen: caracal, jackals, genets, serval wild cat, African wild cat and civet.

I can’t be the only person who clicked on your profile to see your location! Best of luck with your plans.

 

[paintedChix]

I can’t be the only person who clicked on your profile to see your location! Best of luck with your plans.

No, you aren't.

Sonstoffie - you might consider a more protective tractor w/ those predators. I have just extended my knowledge of cat like critters! Wow!

I'm thinking that those can jump an electric fence. Once over the fence, your chickens would have no protection. I think you would need more "layers" of protection.

Curious. How have others in your country or area kept chickens? Has something like you describe worked?

There are heavier tractors that may work better for you if you can get similar supplies. After working w/ PVC both around our chickens & with various applications around horses, I'm not sure it's your best product. The sunlight causes PVC to become brittle & shatter at the most inopportune times. Then, like stated above, it can be light enough to become a sail.

Are you in an area that gets the monsoon type rains w/ flooding? Building a tractor up "higher" may be a better idea - one that not only has wire for protection, but also protection from that style of rain. If you have enough warning before rain, you could build so you can attach solid panels. Then most of the time, use wire w/ shade cloth.

My instant thought was a "Chicksaw", styled by Justin Rhodes (western NC mountainous area). There are now lots of variations done by others. Recreational Homestead (Michigan, I believe) just posted a short video of one he welded of light aluminum w/ other modifications as well.

 

[sonstoffie]

No, you aren't.

Sonstoffie - you might consider a more protective tractor w/ those predators. I have just extended my knowledge of cat like critters! Wow!

I'm thinking that those can jump an electric fence. Once over the fence, your chickens would have no protection. I think you would need more "layers" of protection.

Curious. How have others in your country or area kept chickens? Has something like you describe worked?

There are heavier tractors that may work better for you if you can get similar supplies. After working w/ PVC both around our chickens & with various applications around horses, I'm not sure it's your best product. The sunlight causes PVC to become brittle & shatter at the most inopportune times. Then, like stated above, it can be light enough to become a sail.

Are you in an area that gets the monsoon type rains w/ flooding? Building a tractor up "higher" may be a better idea - one that not only has wire for protection, but also protection from that style of rain. If you have enough warning before rain, you could build so you can attach solid panels. Then most of the time, use wire w/ shade cloth.

My instant thought was a "Chicksaw", styled by Justin Rhodes (western NC mountainous area). There are now lots of variations done by others. Recreational Homestead (Michigan, I believe) just posted a short video of one he welded of light aluminum w/ other modifications as well.

Hi paintedChix,

After reading the comments, we do now realise that a more secure tractor to protect the chickens at night is a must, although the electrified poultry fence will always be on. It will keep them away until they find that sweet spot to get over, under or however to the other side of the fence.

A farmer in our area keeps broiler chickens in secure tractor 24/7. They never let them roam outside the tractor. It is closed with welded mesh fencing all around. Probably the safest option, but what we would like is for our chickens to roam free during the day in our macadamia orchards. We hope to achieve something in the line of rotational grazing with them (and geese) by moving the poultry fence as often as needed.

With regards to the rain, we have not experienced monsoon type of rains here by us. However, I think it is a good idea to build a higher tractor.

Thank you for the "Chicksaw" recommendation. We had a look at some of the plans and we think there are several ideas that can help us with the planning and building of our tractor.