Smaller, insulated chicken tractor plans?

[kaylee gee]

I was going through the chicken tractor forum but there is no way to search it for keywords that I can see. Does anyone have a plan for a smaller (3 bird) insulated tractor? I need something I can afford to build that will keep my girls safe, warm (or cool), and comfortable. It will be moved 1-2 times daily. Easy to clean would be a nice bonus. Thanks you guys!

 

[mowin]

Insulated? Why? Where are you located?

 

[kaylee gee]

Insulated? Why?

To keep them warm in the winter, and cool in the summer, isn't that what insulation is for? XD I don't use heat lamps or fans, so I do what I can to help them stay comfortable.

 

[Acre4Me]

Most places don’t need insulation added for the chickens. But dry and draft-free are the key points to maintain. So, draft-free means no draft on the roosts. Dry means well ventilated. Often ventilation is placed up high, and sometimes low.

I'm not a chicken tractor expert, but wet in spring/summer will be a consideration, and then the blowing winter winds and snow in the winter. So, you may need seasonal covers or baffles to keep the rain/wind minimal inside the tractor.

 

[Mellowmalt]

I do believe in insulation, especially if one has fewer birds as they can't keep themselves warm as well - the only problem is that insultation needs to be closed in or the chickens just eat it, you also need lots of ventilation to get rid of their farts.

So with a small coop, if you have lots of ventilation the insulation kind of becomes mute.

The coop door alone would let out all the heat.

So the design is probably more important, add the ventilation in places where drafts are minimised and making sure it stays completely dry.

My prefered way is to add insulation to the egg box only. That way the chickens can snuggle up in there on really cold days if they need to.

This is not really common practice as most people try to avoid their chickens sleeping in the nest box but insulation is expensive and insulating the whole coop is not really worth it if the cold just comes in through the coop door anyways.

 

[3KillerBs]

If you have adequate ventilation then insulation is a moot point.

Chickens tolerate cold down to 0F with little difficulty as long as they are dry and have no drafts on them (here's BYC's best article on cold weather chicken keeping: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

The key to keeping them dry is excellent ventilation. Their breath and their poop contributes ammonia, moisture, and warmth, which rises and must be allowed to escape from the top of the coop.

Is this tractor a supplement for summer or the permanent housing? Once it snows the tractor will be grounded in place until spring so the design has to consider those months.

 

[mowin]

To keep them warm in the winter, and cool in the summer, isn't that what insulation is for? XD I don't use heat lamps or fans, so I do what I can to help them stay comfortable.

Where are you located? Insulation is normally not needed. Also it usually becomes a housing complex for rodents.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Budget?

I also don't believe in insulation for coops due to ventilation making insulation moot and providing a pest haven.

Treating for mites is difficult already and impossible with insulation.

 

[kaylee gee]

Thanks for the replies! I wouldn't be putting in insulation, its more like using the double-layer method to trap air in between the walls. Ventilation way up top near the roof. I designed a large walk-in coop but with the price of lumber there is no way I can afford it. My budget is $300-$400 max. I designed one with a relatively large run that I am going to be starting on today. I like cute things but I don't know how cute I will be able to make it lol

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks for the replies! I wouldn't be putting in insulation, its more like using the double-layer method to trap air in between the walls. Ventilation way up top near the roof. I designed a large walk-in coop but with the price of lumber there is no way I can afford it. My budget is $300-$400 max. I designed one with a relatively large run that I am going to be starting on today. I like cute things but I don't know how cute I will be able to make it lol

Any space between walls is a pest hotel. There is nothing a rodent loves more than an enclosed space that nothing else can get to.