So we started with a chicken tractor and.....

[wrldlygrrl]

I see you have a large plastic waterer...I got one of those, but it keeps going dry, even though it is full of water...have you had that problem at all?

 

[Splinty]

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We never had any problems with the waterer yet but we have only been using it a couple of weeks now. We only fill it about half way and so far have not had to refill it during the day. My girls are only 5 weeks old but I suspect that I will be refilling it when they get older. Sometimes I'm not even sure they drink out of it but they all seem to be doing great so they must be.

 

[Splinty]

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He did have wheels on the back but took them off when we decided to leave it in one spot. He used 3/4 inch plywood for the sleeping area to make it more winter proof. He also used 3/4 inch for the roof. If he used lighter wood it would be lighter but we never know what kind of winter we might have here on Long Island so he opt for thicker wood. He also had hernia surgery 2 years ago and still needs to get one more operation.

Splinty.

The coop looks excellent! Cudos on the job (and you are getting that from a shop teacher!) If you still want to make it a tractor, move the wheels from the end to about a third from the end. This way you (read: Hubby) will only be lifting 1/3 of the total weight. You'll have to drop them down a tad and it will settle into the turf and be a tad tough to get moving but it is do-able.

Again A+!

Mikey

Mikey,

He did have it a few inches in on the bottom. He was able to move it to spot it is in seeing how he built it on our patio but it was real heavy. I couldn't even lift it to try and move it. He had hernia surgery a couple of year ago and still need to get another hernia operation. I like that it is stationery. I can see them from my kitchen and bedroom at all times and instead of leaving them in the tractor and moving it so they get fresh grass I just let them out to run around the backyard when I'm out there. I'll be sure to tell him the grade you gave him. I am so proud of what he made. My father did ALOT of woodworking and I know that if he was still alive he would be very proud of my husband also.

 

[SirFarmAlot]

Beautiful chicken tractor but you need mechanical help to move that one around.

 

[suzyQlou]

That really is beautiful. I sympathize with you about the loss of mobility. I've groaned many times during the building of my tractor. The answer to every dilemma has been to add more wood!

Btw, I love the names of your chickens, too. I'm glad you posted photos. I was wondering what a Smeagol would look like. Too funny!

 

[laseterlass]

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Same thing happends to us. Shingles are heavy! He can lift it. I cannot. Now I gotta corral a guy to help him when it needs moved...............

 

[Splinty]

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every time he would tell me that it needs a stud here or trim there I kept saying it was going to get heavier but he would say nah, how much heavier can it really get. Hmmmm let's see... It went from being a tractor to becoming stationery.