However, I dunno how a person would go about getting a tractor to move on its own.
Even a couple of feet per hour translates to about +/-30 ft a day, thats alot.
I would think after a while, birds would be used to it . . . but chickens aint the brightest creatures!
Youd be hard pressed to find a motor strong enough AND slow enough(even with oversize sprockets, thats asking alot).
Definately wouldnt wanna use a gas-motor I wouldnt think, give all the chickens heartattacks.
There would need to be a way to turn it on and off- solar maybe?
I picture just a battery operated wheel-barrow type deal, pick up the one side and hit the switch with your thumb and ithe other side just motors along, you steer it and if you lose your grip the switch turns off.
Or, have 4 wheels and a "radioflyer" wagon type steering axle, just push the handle right or left while holding the switch.
Shoot, Im prolly gonna be up all night now, thinking about how I could get like 10 tractors all set up and runnin on GPS tracking all over my backyard.