PVC chicken tractor??

[Hennyhandler]

I have a permanent run for my chickens but I am sure as you all have experienced there is no grass left so I thought to make a chicken tractor. I want it to be cheap and simple and thought why not the PVC ones that I have seen. I am only going to allow them in there and hour or so hopefully a day but probably two or three days and then for longer on the weekends.
Now, my question. I have ten chickens and am hoping to have about four to five more, at least that is the maximum, and I wanted to know how big this tractor needs to be since they won't be in there for long periods of time?
Also, how do you get chicken netting to attach to the pvc?
Thanks.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Is there any way you could just let them out to free range outside their pen an hour or so before dark?
At dark they will coop back up by themselves.
If you are only going to be doing it for an hour or two a day then it will take you longer to tractor them in and out than just opening the door and letting them go until dark.
Later in the spring if you still wanted something more permanent just remember predators can bust through PVC and chicken netting or go under it fairly easy.

 

[Hennyhandler]

I am working on them being able to just go out but I have a dog that is need of some training first.

This would not be a permanent area for them to stay in. It is just for them to be able to forage for awhile.

 

[Zanna]

My tractor is not completely PVC, it is built on PVC so it slides easily and we used PVC for the door frame and to attach the chicken wire to the metal piping. That was done with Zip Ties. Here is a pic., hope it helps..........Maybe it will give you some ideas.

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[quintinp]

nice, how much did it cost, i am wanting to stay very low on costs, and i am really liking your run

 

[Zanna]

nice, how much did it cost, i am wanting to stay very low on costs, and i am really liking your run

The tractor was not cheap to make, I think around $500.00 but was a fun project!​

 

[wannabchick]

Looks great, you should be so proud

Fab

 

[95yj]

pvc or aluminum conduit tractors are very lightweight, they can be usefull as temporary runs during the day, but still offer little protection from determined predators. Also, they can be so lightweight that a strong breeze can flip it. http://www.pvcplans.com/pvc-pastured-poultry-pen.htm
that would work fine so long as they were only in it during the day, if its windy you can stake it out. Zipties work for attaching the wire. Just remember that that kind of a tractor will barely slow down a medium sized dog.