Hi all ,
I am considering building a chicken tractor for 5 chickens. This needs to be something that I can move by myself.
I will be putting it inside an electric web netting fence... I will only use during the day. However it gets shady fast here / overcast and I hear owls out sometimes before dark.. and also have seen them during the day in the woods.
I have a field that is surrounded by woods on 3 sides.. and you could make an argument for the fourth side.. so I am also having some difficulty in permanant coop location but that is another thing to unravel. Non the less - I am thinking there will be a permanent coop at night.
Id like this tractor to act as a go between for baby chicks once they out grow brooder. (they would be in this Indoors with a wooden board as base i think if that would work..
I could also potentially take them outside in it after a month or so ?? (observed) once bigger but not full grown
(not with fence as would pop through fence)
I also like this to have a second space to separate a sick chicken if need be.. indoors.
I want this to act as "a duck into space" so they can run here to get away from aerial attacks and to provide shade.
Would this work? I know it is small - but they have the netting and are in the fence.. it is only to get into if they need to duck for cover..
I want to use 1x2s to make it easy to move. But if you think 2x4s are better - Id like to hear that.
I would cover it partially in plywood type sheet.
I suppose it needs vents?
OR - Should I just make it all hardware cloth and just have a roof over one side for shade?
Here is my drawing.. I have it 6Lx x3W X 2H -
I suppose I would have the covered area 3-4' L - but would like feedback on that.. Of course it will be completely covered in hardware cloth on top and sides and open on base..
I have bears, foxes, etc - so I am relying heavily on the electric mesh here.. and this is a during the day thing when Id be around... but not necc next to them (I want to rotate them around my field)
I wasnt thinking perches or swings but could do that as well.
I am willing to change dimensions if too small - but again need to move by myself easily - otherwise I will never move it.
Another design I am considering is a pvc type design.. I will attach that here as well... let me know if one is better..
The PVC one concerns me a little. but I like the lightweight-ness and ease of build.
To give credit - The PVC one is from 40 Projects for Building your Backyard Homestead by Peter Toht.
Feedback please!! -> I think better now than after I build it...
Thanks!
-Kate
I am considering building a chicken tractor for 5 chickens. This needs to be something that I can move by myself.
I will be putting it inside an electric web netting fence... I will only use during the day. However it gets shady fast here / overcast and I hear owls out sometimes before dark.. and also have seen them during the day in the woods.
I have a field that is surrounded by woods on 3 sides.. and you could make an argument for the fourth side.. so I am also having some difficulty in permanant coop location but that is another thing to unravel. Non the less - I am thinking there will be a permanent coop at night.
Id like this tractor to act as a go between for baby chicks once they out grow brooder. (they would be in this Indoors with a wooden board as base i think if that would work..
I could also potentially take them outside in it after a month or so ?? (observed) once bigger but not full grown
(not with fence as would pop through fence)
I also like this to have a second space to separate a sick chicken if need be.. indoors.
I want this to act as "a duck into space" so they can run here to get away from aerial attacks and to provide shade.
Would this work? I know it is small - but they have the netting and are in the fence.. it is only to get into if they need to duck for cover..
I want to use 1x2s to make it easy to move. But if you think 2x4s are better - Id like to hear that.
I would cover it partially in plywood type sheet.
I suppose it needs vents?
OR - Should I just make it all hardware cloth and just have a roof over one side for shade?
Here is my drawing.. I have it 6Lx x3W X 2H -
I suppose I would have the covered area 3-4' L - but would like feedback on that.. Of course it will be completely covered in hardware cloth on top and sides and open on base..
I have bears, foxes, etc - so I am relying heavily on the electric mesh here.. and this is a during the day thing when Id be around... but not necc next to them (I want to rotate them around my field)
I wasnt thinking perches or swings but could do that as well.
I am willing to change dimensions if too small - but again need to move by myself easily - otherwise I will never move it.
Another design I am considering is a pvc type design.. I will attach that here as well... let me know if one is better..
The PVC one concerns me a little. but I like the lightweight-ness and ease of build.
To give credit - The PVC one is from 40 Projects for Building your Backyard Homestead by Peter Toht.
Feedback please!! -> I think better now than after I build it...
Thanks!
-Kate
