- Joined
- Apr 9, 2020
- Messages
- 18
- Climate
- Sub-Tropical
I started raising chickens a couple of years ago, but didn’t want to build the traditional stationary chicken coop. I read and studied plans on using a chicken tractor, portable chicken coop, as my means to raise my new hens.
My first iteration was based on the dimensions of my raised beds. The intention was to set it inside the 4’x16’ beds and have the chickens do some of the work on my four beds...sounds great in theory! What I didn’t take into account was how difficult it would be to transfer it from one bed to the other, it was much heavier than I expected! I ended up modifying it with some lawnmower wheels I had around and placing it on the ground and moving it by dragging it from one spot to the next. This tractor was 3.75’x8’ made out of 2x2s, chicken wire, and tin.
The second generation chicken tractor was based loosely on Joel Salatin’s chicken tractors. This was was 8’x10’ with a second story to allow for nesting boxes and roosting to help with predation. I attached a wheeled contraption which pivots under the tractor when I lift it up. Then I lift the front with a strap and pull it to the next grazing spot. It is still incredibly heavy and difficult to move, but I made a number of modifications from the first tractor to improve the function of generation two, but is still needed something better.
In generation three, I decided to take an old trailer frame and see what I could come up with for the next version. I decided to use as much recycled or repurposed material around the farm verses buying new material. I was hoping it would be moveable with a four wheeler or my truck and something I could take out into the pasture. Again I used the lessons from the previous two tractors and began designing my newest tractor. I collected old lumber and tin, and began building it on the fly. I didn’t have a plan, but created as I started putting it together. I am pleased with the result for the most part. There are a few things I will need to alter, but it is working beyond my expectations. I have incorporated an electric poultry netting system in order to allow the chickens to be completely free range. I have added several hens to my flock and I have nine more birds which will be big enough In the next few weeks. Please enjoy the pictures and don’t be afraid to step out and try it yourself.
My first iteration was based on the dimensions of my raised beds. The intention was to set it inside the 4’x16’ beds and have the chickens do some of the work on my four beds...sounds great in theory! What I didn’t take into account was how difficult it would be to transfer it from one bed to the other, it was much heavier than I expected! I ended up modifying it with some lawnmower wheels I had around and placing it on the ground and moving it by dragging it from one spot to the next. This tractor was 3.75’x8’ made out of 2x2s, chicken wire, and tin.
The second generation chicken tractor was based loosely on Joel Salatin’s chicken tractors. This was was 8’x10’ with a second story to allow for nesting boxes and roosting to help with predation. I attached a wheeled contraption which pivots under the tractor when I lift it up. Then I lift the front with a strap and pull it to the next grazing spot. It is still incredibly heavy and difficult to move, but I made a number of modifications from the first tractor to improve the function of generation two, but is still needed something better.
In generation three, I decided to take an old trailer frame and see what I could come up with for the next version. I decided to use as much recycled or repurposed material around the farm verses buying new material. I was hoping it would be moveable with a four wheeler or my truck and something I could take out into the pasture. Again I used the lessons from the previous two tractors and began designing my newest tractor. I collected old lumber and tin, and began building it on the fly. I didn’t have a plan, but created as I started putting it together. I am pleased with the result for the most part. There are a few things I will need to alter, but it is working beyond my expectations. I have incorporated an electric poultry netting system in order to allow the chickens to be completely free range. I have added several hens to my flock and I have nine more birds which will be big enough In the next few weeks. Please enjoy the pictures and don’t be afraid to step out and try it yourself.
