Smaller, insulated chicken tractor plans?

[21hens-incharge]

Maybe the way to go would be a pallet coop to try and stay on budget.

The 3-4 hundred in todays market will go quick.

 

[mowin]

Maybe a hoop coop would fit your needs.

 

[Acre4Me]

Maybe a hoop coop would fit your needs.

@kaylee gee Hoop Coops are a very good option ....UNLESS you get a heavy snow load. The can/will collapse with heavy snow load. Not sure how much snow you get, but you are in CT - maybe you get a lot of snow, maybe not. Perhaps there is a good way to reinforce them to hold up to weather/snow and not spend a lot on lumber.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Has seen several 30" snows and is still standing. It has plastic covering it to keep it dry inside. Yes I cleared the top but not before all that snow built up.

 

[Acre4Me]

View attachment 2740961

Has seen several 30" snows and is still standing. It has plastic covering it to keep it dry inside. Yes I cleared the top but not before all that snow built up.

Good to see, but have seen many reports of collapsed hoop coops due to snow/weather. How did you build yours so sturdy - I would guess there is some way you managed to keep it well supported.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Good to see, but have seen many reports of collapsed hoop coops due to snow/weather. How did you build yours so sturdy - I would guess there is some way you managed to keep it well supported.

For real there is no board going from the door to the coop, no center support of any kind.
It is held to the building with very short pieces of plumbers strap and 1" screws directly to the siding.

Absolutely nothing special was done since it was supposed to be temporary.... It was built more than 6 years ago

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Agree on the hoop coop option - its relatively cheap, cattle panels haven't seen the price increases many other building materials have, its expandable in the future with some ease, its relatively light weight for tractoring, and if it needs to serve as a permanent "temporary" coop, a small nesting box and roosting bars arrangement at one end with both provide stiffness tot he frame and needed housing for such a small flock without constraining floor space in the "run".

I'd do just two panels, frame it out roughly 8x8. You will still have some lumber cost in the base, unless you can score some free/cheap pallets, and look to polycarbonate panels for roofing. The hardware cloth predator protection is still going to cost a pretty penny.