Size of mobile Tractor Run if you only want to move it every 4-7 days?

[Mike592]

Hi everyone, new guy here and I've been enjoying reading your wealth of knowledge for a few weeks! Thanks for a great site!

One thing I'm struggling with while designing my mobile chicken tractor is finding a rule of thumb for how much space is needed in the run per chicken so they won't decimate the spot the tractor sits on. If it matters, we'll have a small flock with a maximum of five.

I've seen some comments on bare minimum space necessary, especially if you want chickens to take a spot to bare earth... but that's not what I'm after. I want to figure out a good balance for tractor weight (mobility) and how often it needs to be moved. I don't want to lug it around every day if I can help it. I'd much rather build it large enough where it only needs to be moved every few days, or preferably once a week. Maybe that even means moving it with my lawn tractor, but so be it.

So how much space is needed in the run per hen if you only want them to eat 30-50% of the spot, and move them every 4-7 days?

Or are my goals completely crazy?

Right now we have about 2 acres of pure lawn (I want to mix in more chicken edibles as we go) and 3 acres of woods I'll let them explore outside the tractor when I can supervise them. We're in Southern Ohio.

Thanks for your help and any advice you have.

--Mike

 

[Chick Charm]

No your not crazy at all. Logical approach in my book. I think if you want to move it only once a week you would want to double the norm. It you have 5 full sized chickens and a 10' X 10' tractor you would likely not damage the lawn/pasture if moved weekly. In fact this may help and aid in the grass. 100 sf will still see the ware but not destroy it. If the tractor is made from PVC instead of wood you can really lighten the load. There are many PVC tractor pic on this site. Here a few of my tractors that are made from wood and on the heavy side.
8X3X3

8X2X2

7.5X2X2

8X2X2

Of course you would definitely want to make yours much bigger.

Wish ya the best.

 

[RWD]

6x14 would only need to be moved weekly, with 5 chickens. This one can be pushed forward by hand, or pulled with a mower, or 4 wheeler.

 

[Ridgerunner]

It’s going to depend on the time of year, your climate and weather, the quality of the sod or pasture you have, density of chickens, things like that. For instance, I found if it rained I had to move them a lot sooner than if it was dry. I wasn’t worried about them decimating the area. It grows back. The smell was what told me it was time to move them.

Five chickens is not a bad number for a tractor but probably at the upper limit if you want to move it by hand. Part of the problem is that when you have nests, roosts, something to keep the feed dry, wind breaks, and shade, it can get heavy pretty quickly.

What I suggest for your goals is that you build it in two sections that mate together. Come up with your own design, but maybe put all that “coop” stuff in one section that may not be all that big and make a much larger section that is nothing but run. That run section does not need to be all that tall. 2’ is plenty and you can make good use of your standard length limber that way. Or maybe build a PVC hoop run to really get it light.

I’m not going to give you any magic numbers because there are too many variables to make and numbers realistic. Just make it as big as you can stand.

One word of warning. I don’t know how level your land is. You may need to do something to keep things from just pushing their way under an opening at the base of your coop/run. You’d be amazed at how small a hole a raccoon, skunk, possum, fox, something like that need to just squeeze through, even without digging.

Good luck. It’s doable but tractors take a commitment to moving them when it’s time.

 

[Mike592]

I’m not going to give you any magic numbers because there are too many variables to make and numbers realistic.

Aww, now that's what I was afraid of.


One word of warning. I don’t know how level your land is...


That's actually a really good thought I hadn't considered much. Where I'm planning to tractor them around has a decent slope to it. I thought that would be good so that water won't pool in one place and can drain, but you're right, it will be hard to make the frame securely contact everywhere on the ground.

Hmmm, maybe I need to go with Plan B, which is a larger mobile coop and a paddock system. My goal is to hopefully not have them constantly living on barren dirt. For their health, but also for part of a varied, natural diet. I have probably two acres to play with that border 3 acres of woods. I liked the idea of the enclosed tractor since we have a ton of raccoons and I see hawks all the time. But maybe they'd be OK without supervision during most of the day? (I'm a working schlub.)

 

[Chick Charm]

RWD shows a picture of an 84 sf tractor that would work. I had recommended 100 sf. I think you are getting good info on how big/small you would want to have for a weekly move tractor. I think you can deduce what you nee from these. Now it's time to choose your creative side and see what you come up with. I use tractor and am currently using one. I have never lost a chicken to a predator but have come close many times. A well built tractor is better than a poorly built coop any day.

Wish ya the best.

 

[WheatBread]

I had a similar thought as ridgerunner. You could build the coop part as the center and then build 2 runs that you could detach from either side of the coop for moving purposes.

 

[suzyQlou]

I would agree with those who said you'll need to at least double the recommended size. I would also agree that tractors get heavy fast. If you do build the run and coop separately, you'll have more flexibility with your design.

I'm in similar conditions as southern Ohio (south central PA here). I know you don't want to move it once a day, but these photos might give you an idea of what four chickens do to fresh lawn: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/tractor-vs-lawn