What's the easiest way to build a tractor for meaties?

[HappyFarmLady]

I am thinking it only needs to be like 2ft tall, built with 2x2s and chicken wire. What kind of covered shelter do they need to have? Any pics would be wonderful.

 

[PotterWatch]

We have built a tractor out of pvc, wire, and a tarp for cover; and Salatin-type tractors made with wood, wire, and metal roofing for cover.

 

[AlbionWood]

I made a Plamondon-style hoop house, using cattle panels, and it was really fast and easy to build; seems to be wind-resistant as well, although we did have a big gust that flipped one. I can build one in half a day for about $100. Will try to get pics later.

 

[chickenfeverforever]

This is our chicken tractor. We built it from scratch in a few hours. Its 2 feet tall, 4 fee wide and 8 feet long. It cost me roughly $47

 

[ChickenAlgebra]

Told my kids that they could have $150 to build a tractor that was predator proof, whatever they didn't spend they could keep evenly split between them.

Got PVC pipe and roof rafters off CL for free. Bought some heavy duty hardware cloth. Had some scrap wood around they used. Erm, they found wheels, not sure where exactly but it was legal.

I did no work at all and had 3 meatie tractors in 2 days. They are similar to the Salatin except they have the roof rafters for a top instead of a flat top, the wood goes over part of it for shade, then wire fully surrounds the entire pen. The ends open to grab birds. Plus the best part we found is the heat rises away from the meaties, so they are more comfortable.

3 tractors, they spent $60. They were happy.

But proof the kids are chicken fans? The reason they built 3 tractors, they went out and bought more meaties with the money.

 

[jgervais]

Quote:
Cute story! Youve got good kids

 

[bigredfeather]

Here's mine. It is 2'x6'x10' and will house up to 35 birds comfortably.

 

[jgervais]

Don't meaties need to perch at all?

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
No. Actually, roosting causes them to get breast blisters.

 

[HappyFarmLady]

Ok, so do you open it up and let them free range during the day?