Stationary tractor? Help!

[dtimms]

We finally finished our Catawba A-frame tractor and put it out in the yard for our 3 girls. They are so happy to finally be outside!

Here's the problem: The mess under the coop is more than I expected. Between the poo and the shavings that fall down underneath, I'm not so excited about moving it around and then having our toddler play in the yard! I think it will be a pretty major cleanup each time it rotates around the yard. The mess seems to outweigh the benefit of fertilizer and grass mowing....

So I'm thinking of just picking a spot and leaving it there. Any suggestions for what to put in the run once the grass is gone there? How often should it be cleaned out underneath to keep the girls healthy?

Anybody else have a stationary tractor? I'm also open to ideas that would make moving it more practical. Advice please....

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Bard's Rock!]

Sorry, but if it is stationary it is not a tractor. Play sand in ther run is a good medium to put down.

HTH?

 

[dtimms]

Bard's Rock! :

Sorry, but if it is stationary it is not a tractor. Play sand in ther run is a good medium to put down.

HTH?

That's the whole idea... I think a tractor is not for us, but that is what the structure was meant to be.

I have a ton of play sand. Once we get down to dirt, maybe I'll put that in there.​

 

[patandchickens]

Sure, lots of people have very small stationary coops like that. You can use mulch or other organic material if you're in a dry climate and on well-drained soil; sand or fine gravel or sand/gravel mix is better if you are in a wetter climate or a less well drained site.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[dtimms]

OK, so at least I'm not completely crazy! How deep a layer of sand or mulch would I need? How often would you think it would need to be raked out and replaced with 3 hens in a 4x8 space? Sounds like a better deal to me....