Tractor vs permanent run

[Crzychcknldy8]

I have a flock of 12 in a 8x4 pallet coop I built last spring. It is open to a 6x9 run, with access to an additional 8x12 run which we added because they seemed to need more outdoor space. The chickens seem happy with the space but the system is a beast to move so currently their outdoor space is just a giant mud pit.
A change is in order and I am weighing out my options of building something more permanent with more coop space, revamping the tractor system or letting them free range.
What have you found to be the best option?

 

[scrambled please]

I like free ranging. A
Chicken can live to be 14, maybe more, they lay a couple years.
Do you have acres they can play chicken games on?
I guess it’s what you’re comfortable with.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Well, I have a pen because I'm forced to but there are good ways to manage the mud in a permanent setup. we use a deep litter method with over 1' of wood chips that we get for free from local tree companies to deal with our mud. The chicken pen area used to be standing water the whole way through fall to spring. Now it's one of the driest spots in the lawn. But your mileage may vary.

Free ranging definitely has it's losses. Like you will loose birds no matter what you do, it just happens.

And tractors I find are a lot of effort for something big enough for the number of birds you have.... But definitely give more greens than a pen does and more security than free ranging.

So do you want the effort? Are you OK with occasional losses? Are you looking to just reduce maintenance overall? Obviously I can't answer these things, but for me, while I'm OK with losses, I prefer whatever is easiest. And a pen with very deep litter is easiest to maintain IMO.

 

[Chicken_girl33]

We used to move the girls around a lot, but it was a pain in the butt. So instead we built a huge, permanent pen. In doesn’t get muddy because we let them free range all the time. A large pen is nice when you having an event, something on the lawn like fertilizer or in fall when predators are out (we live near a woods). Whatever you choose for your area will be fine.

 

[Chicken crossing the road]

I started with a tractor smaller than yours for six birds. It wasn’t to hard to move but it required more work on my part versus my coop setup. Also do you have enough yard?
You really don’t want it going over the same area more than a couple times over the year, me thinks. For me free range wasn’t an option because I live to close to neighbors and would not them bothering others. Also a lot of fox and coyotes around. I’ll be filling all the holes left behind in my yard come spring
Another thing with a fix coop you can make it bigger.

 

[Hokum Coco]

What have you found to be the best option?

If you have less than 10 hens the tractor system is best for you. In your case I would suggest a permanent coop with a moveable run that is what I have gone with. Free ranging puts flower beds in jeopardy; surprise poop presents where you least want them; and also your birds at risk to predators. Oh I forgot to mention scatter dust bathing holes dotting your property and landscape.

If you have 2+- acres free ranging at large may be just fine for you.