Tractor construction (updated pic)

[Jermbubba]

The run is 4x12. and is slightly taller than 4 feet. Which should be plenty of room for any one to bend slightly and walk through. Im only 5-4 and its not a problem at all for me, but even if you are much taller you can bend and walk around. im sure of it

 

[BigPeep]

I have seen this design before and wondered, why the height? If the idea is to keep the chickens on the ground eating weeds, why do you want them to have so much head room and why locate the coop section up in the air? All of that adds weight for when you want to move it.

I like white with yellow flaps to retrieve the eggs. The whole thing then looks like a fried egg, sunnyside up, my favorite!

 

[Jermbubba]

big peep. The height is so that I can walk in there when i want or need to. I plan to walk in there daily to feed and love my babies. The coop section is up off the ground because the tractor is movable therefor the frame just sits on the ground and isnt really all that preditor proof. It works fine during the day but if someone really wanted to get in there they could simply dig under a few inches and they are in. The elevated coop is completly secure when the trap door is closed shut at night. The extra weight isnt an issue. because I wont be moving it more than its on length every few days. Eventually ( sometime this week) I will be adding pnuematic wheels that will easily support the whole things and all it takes is a little tug or push and its where I need it to be.

Hope that makes since.

thanks for looking

 

[Jermbubba]

Found the time last night to add the roof...

 

[WestKnollAmy]

That is cool! I like the hooped run.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

That is really nice.

Could you please show pics and description of your wheels? I have a dog house turned banty tractor/run and the thing weighs a ton. It was built on a heavy-duty pallet. I'm starting to have back pain at work from moving the thing every morning.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jermbubba]

i'll be happy to post pics for ya of the wheels... once i get that part figured out. The original plan was to have them on the mid way point of the frame. however this isnt working out so well. I think the new plan is to add the wheels on the heavy end on wood extentions . kinda like training wheels. then i will add handles on the front, lighterside, I would only then have to pick it up and push. Ill let you know how it goes. Or if i figure out the original plan.

 

[Homeonthefarm]

I loved it! The colors are just how I would have painted it myself. I love green and white put together. I've built myself a coop sometime ago and it was very short and I had to bend to get in and move around like that, squatting... Are those arches painted white, wooden arches or are they plastic? Congratulations!

 

[BigPeep]

Thanks for the explanation. It looks really nice.
I don't go in mine. Allergies. I just admire them from outside and minimize the actual contact. I am putting 14 inch wheels on the back of the one I am making now which are at the bottom of the coop area. You can lift the light front end easily and move the whole thing. I extended the top rail an additional 2ft on front and back so it can be lifted as well and carried like the Arc of the Covenant by two people in back and one in front. I can crawl in the door in the front if I need to get them back into the coop area during the day for some reason. Otherwise I just wait for them to perch at night and move it at that time to minimize any disruption.

The door on the back under the nest box is a good idea. I am going to add one. I did not attach the extended nest box as I had originally planned as it added weight and made the front end rear up. This does reduce the interior space, however.

 

[Junkmanme]

Jermbubba,

Your "Stagecoach-type" tractor is essentially the same that I envisioned building after seeing posting here on Backyard Chickens of a "factory-made" unit.

You've done a FINE JOB.

Hopefully mine will turn-out as good.

On positioning the pneumatic tires/wheels, the "balance-point" is critical, as you well know. My expectation is that they would best be located near the front of the coop section. But the position would be determined easily by balancing the entire unit on some cinder blocks (1 under each side) with perhaps a 2x4 resting across the cinder blocks.

The length of the "pivot" for the wheels will, of course determine the height that the wheels would raise the unit. (That would also depend upon the diameter of the tires, to some extent.....for "ease of operation").

I'm planning for my coop area to be somewhat longer and lower to the ground than yours, so the balance point will certainly be different. I may also make the "run area" detachable. (Haven't made up my mind on THAT as yet!)


VERY GOOD WORK!