To floor or not to floor

[RJSchaefer]

We're building a chicken tractor tomorrow. In 10 days, 20 more meaties and 8 turkeys are coming.

The meaties will probably enter the tractor when they're 3 weeks old. The turkeys...I don't know yet, probably later. So, the chickens will get first crack at the tractor. We'll build a second one specifically for the turkeys.

Do I floor it? I've read conflicting reports - some say you must have wire mesh bottoms, others say no wire mesh for scratching. We have the typical Midwest predators.

The tractor itself will be a 8'x8'4' box. I'm going to put hardware cloth around the sides and a wooden-with-metal-roofing flip-top (secured with a hasp), which should give it enough weight to keep it from being upturned. Then rolled up tarp on each side, which will be unrolled at night or during storms.

Predatory digging is still an issue. This is all they're getting. They won't have the protection of the main coop's concrete floor. I'm worried I'll lose all my meaties in one fell swoop, but I can't imagine that kind of carnage is that common within a tractor...

 

[Judy]

If you want it predator proof, you either need to floor it or attach an apron all the way around to prevent digging. This is usually done with hardware cloth or other wire. Wire floors can cause foot damage, though some people do it.

 

[RJSchaefer]

I keep reading about "attaching an apron" but I can't figure out how that will prevent digging without making the tractor immobile (and negating its purpose).

 

[aart]

I've seen a couple tractors where the aprons are attached so they can be hinged up for moving the tractor. An apron doesn't need to be buried, it can just be laid on the ground and held down with a length of board or just the weight of the wire fencing used to make the apron.

8' x 8' is pretty big to move, would be interested to see how you plan to move it.

ETA: A wire floor is less likely to cause foot problems if it is on the ground, depends on the ground, they can still eat some grass and bugs without totally tearing up the ground.....but a wire floor might also cause problems with moving the tractor, lots of drag unless you lift it all up off the ground to move.

 

[RJSchaefer]

I'm not really sure how we're going to move it. The Man just said, "I'll take care of it."

 

[ftroop]

Has anyone tried putting a skirt on the inside? I'm wondering if it works to put a wire floor about 15 inches wide as a border around the inside leaving an area to scratch in the middle.

 

[ftroop]

Many people talk about electrified chicken wire. Does anyone have a picture of that? are we talking about electrifying all the chicken wore or just putting a strand around the bottom?

 

[aart]

Has anyone tried putting a skirt on the inside? I'm wondering if it works to put a wire floor about 15 inches wide as a border around the inside leaving an area to scratch in the middle.

The apron on the outside is to dissuade predators from digging to getting inside, not sure why you'd want that on the inside-tho I have read a couple instances where the hens can dig a pretty big hole near the fencing.

Many people talk about electrified chicken wire. Does anyone have a picture of that? are we talking about electrifying all the chicken wore or just putting a strand around the bottom?

Some use electric poultry netting to keep predators out of pasture areas or you can use one or two hot wires around existing fences/coops for the same reason.

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