Recommended Space in Tractor

[ATXInstantFlock]

The thing about tractors is if the ground is too "lumpy" the chickens might be able to sneak under a low spot ...

Is the tractor more to contain the chickens, so they don't get in trouble, or to keep them safe from predators.

The tractor will mostly be the former. I plan on only using it if I'm around. Maybe while I let the dogs out and am hanging out in the backyard with them, mostly in the fall/spring.

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

The thing about tractors is if the ground is too "lumpy" the chickens might be able to sneak under a low spot ...

It's a decently managed suburban "yard" as opposed to a "field", so while it's lumpy enough that I want to design something to accommodate unlevel ground, they realistically won't be large enough to fit an entire chicken, especially if I just park it in certain orientations that go with what the grade allows.

Is the tractor more to contain the chickens, so they don't get in trouble, or to keep them safe from predators?

Both. City has regulations on where chickens are supposed to live (distances from neighbors, etc) and whether they are "contained". As such, there are areas where I might like them to occasionally scratch & forage that can't be a permanent structure. We do also have predators (owls, birds of prey, etc), so it has to be covered and I don't want to chance an open roof. I also live in Central TX, so unless I want baked chickens, even a tractor will probably need a decent roof that provides shade, even if I do plan on using it during the morning hours.

 

[WingItRanch]

I was just about to post a thread basically asking the same thing! Did you ever build your tractor?

My scenario: I have 11 pullets and 1 cockerel in a nice large secured run with attached coop. I have A LOT of predators so can't free range. Unfortunately the chickens have already eaten all the grass in the run and now it's just dirt. I'd like to give them access to forage for a couple hours on the weekend.

I have this little chicken enclosure gifted to me that was previously used to raise babies outdoors. My idea is to put two wheels on it and a handle. The wheels will be able to swing down when I need them but will be out of the way most of the time so the tractor can lay flat. It might be a little tight for 12 but I figured I'd just make it "first come, first serve" and let out a few at a time. The little red house on top has a roosting bar inside but It's pretty small and I can't seem them wanting to use that.

Does this sound like a good idea? Open to suggestions.

I'm going to provide water and maybe some food but do I need to have a nest box available just in case one of the girls gets the urge? Maybe replace the roosting bar inside the little house with a nest box?

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

I was just about to post a thread basically asking the same thing! Did you ever build your tractor?

Not yet. I actually just finished their coop and moved them out this past Sunday.

I have A LOT of predators so can't free range. Unfortunately the chickens have already eaten all the grass in the run and now it's just dirt.

I hear ya. I started this thread after broaching the subject of trying to keep grass in my run. I was pretty much met with laughter at the premise of keeping grass with 10 chickens in ~64 sq ft, so I pivoted my coop to be a deep litter setup to compost in place with mulch/grass clippings/etc. I mostly just want something that doesn't stink. We'll see how it goes.

I'd like to give them access to forage for a couple hours on the weekend.

I have this little chicken enclosure gifted to me that was previously used to raise babies outdoors.

Does this sound like a good idea? Open to suggestions.

I'm a newbie, so I don't know how much advice I should be offering up, but given that you're also in Texas, I'd imagine shade would be a very high priority. Lots of people seem to have success with tarps or roofing, but I imagine tarps without airflow can be challenging to keep manageable temperatures. I built my coop with a clerestory roof just to try and avoid capturing a heat pocket.

Good luck and share your experience if you move forward with this project. The coop/run took way longer than I expected, so I'm not sure a tractor is in the cards for me until next spring at the earliest.

 

[WingItRanch]

Ohh I know that struggle! The build took way longer than I expected.

As for shade, yes.. I have a thick fabric tarp that I'm going to attach to the top of the little house and then the end of the run. Hoping having a gap there will provide plenty of airflow. I also have a ton of natural shade on the property.

On the topic of the run floor.. we had so much rain this year with freak storms and a hurricane that even though drainage is great, the run still got muddy. Got some advice to try Pelletized Pine. It was a game changer! Basically when it gets wet, it turns into thick fluffy sawdust- minimal dust. (I know Central TX didn't have the same issue with rain but many people purposely wet the pellets to great the fluffy material). My entire run is basically a litter box now so I can just scoop up the poo.

I tried the grass clippings route in the run but noticed the chicks were gorging themselves on it. It also got mushy.

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

Got some advice to try Pelletized Pine. It was a game changer!

Me too! I bought some on a lark as I saw how cheap a giant bag was at TSC. Days later I saw a bunch of people mention it on here. I was using it off/on as my flock was living in the garage for 4 months.
Pine shavings are pretty cheap, but if you calculate it out based on weight, the pellets are probably half the cost.

I'm currently using it in my inner coop as the base layer with a light sprinkling of pine shavings on top. I haven't tried it for the open air "outer coop", but I might give that a try. Currently using primarily organic cypress mulch with some shredded paper, used coffee filters/grounds.

I tried the grass clippings route in the run but noticed the chicks were gorging themselves on it. It also got mushy.

I'll have to keep an eye out for that, thanks for the tip. Most of the time, I'm happy to use my mulching mower to feed it back into my lawn anyway, so if the flock doesn't really need it, I might stop doing it.