size of chicken tractor for adult chickens?

[lablover]

Would a 4X8 tractor be big enough for 5 LF hens and rooster? They'll free range during the day.

 

[gg706]

My chicken tractor is roughly 3 1/2 X 8...with a upper floor 3X 6. with an egg box roughly 3X2 so there are( 2 ) 2 X1 1/2 boxes for them to lay eggs. My tractor houses 5 hens and 1 roo. I have just enough room for them. I cant let mine free range I have a 8X10 grazing tractor that they go into during the day to range and have more room. I DONT think mine would be very happy stuck in the coop tractor all day, day in and day out. It is a little crowded. Depending on how you are planning to build your tractor. Maybe more info would be helpful. I have several pictures of my tractor on my page...you are welcome to look if you wish.


my tractor

 

[lablover]

Mine looks like the one in this video (not mine). It's 4 foot high in the center, and then 4X8 on the bottom. Then there will be 2 roosting bars to give it an "upstairs" look.

I'm not sure about what I'll use for weather protection in the winter, but during the summer, a tarp can cover the nesting box, and one roost. I wouldn't cover as much as the video shows. BTW, the finished picture in the video is at the end.

Again, they will free range completely during the day. No fenced in areas. So they'll just use the tractor for sleeping and laying.

 

[gg706]

I think the size would be fine for sleeping quarters. The only issue I would worry about is predators getting in... I don't think a tarp will stop a coon or dog if they really want in. I have heard coon can CHEW through regular chicken wire! I don't know what kind of place you live around. I live in the country in Georgia so we have ALOT of predators, including the worst....neighbors roaming dogs. So I built mine with that in mind. IF you have alot of predators around you may want "bulk" up your plan to ensure your flock is safe. I REALLY like the hardware cloth. It is expensive and hard to work with though! My chickens are locked up INSIDE the wooden part of my coop at night. I have not had anything get in yet. The big negative to my style of tractor is it is pretty heavy. I can push it by myself if it is a down hill slope otherwise I need my husband to help get it where I want it to be.

 

[lablover]

Yes, predators are a concern. Right now, it's covered in chicken wire with the garden/welded wire (shown in the video) on the bottom. On the side, at the bottom, the chicken wire is doubled, but will soon be reinforced with the stronger wire. I am thinking of getting the hardware cloth, but attaching it is a bit of a hassle. I would love to use sheets of tin as a bit more protection, but ventilation is an issue.

 

[gg706]

Sounds like you are on a good path to getting it worked out. I was trying to think how you could use hardware cloth on PVC......

I havent come up with much to help. The only idea I had ...don't know how it would work you might have to test it if you decide to try hardware cloth. I would try using the real small 1/4 inch cloth and put a big headed small diameter screw through the hole a try screwing it into the PVC. Not certain if this would work.You are DEFINETLY correct about it being difficult to work with! My neighbors only have regular chicken wire on their sedentary coop and they have not had anything get into the coop, however they have 3 dogs in the yard...so that may help.

 

[gg706]

You could run some electric wire on it as long as the chickens can't touch the wire. The fencers that will keep away predators are too strong for poultry and could easily kill them if they gain access to the wire. With them going in and out of the coop during the day I would probably only turn the juice on at night...when most predators are out anyway.

 

[lablover]

Lol, I appreciate the help! The chicken wire is stapled so many times, layer after layer onto the plywood, and tied with electric fence wire all over the place! Right now, they are inside a dog pen, so that helps... for now.

 

[gg706]

I hate to say it but you might just have to try it and see if it works. If predators get in...you will know to do something different. It sounds like you have it pretty well covered! My guess is it will be fine.