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Barnyard Buddies:  Chicken Tractor or Portable Chicken Pen  |
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herbquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
891 Posts
Kristine
Bonney Lake
Wa
USA
891 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 2:35:05 PM
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Has anyone made and used a chicken tractor or portable chicken pen?
I've want to get one or two made. My DH doesn't like them roaming around, so I thought we'd try this method.
Thanks!!!
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 6:21:36 PM
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We're doing this and know several other people who do. The absolute best source of information on this (and believe me, I've looked at every website, book -- thank goodness for interlibrary loan -- article, etc. on the topic) is Joel Salatin's book titled "Pasture Poultry Profits". The subtitle is something like "how you can net $25,000 in 6 months . . ." It is absolutely fantastic -- step by step for everything related to this, great pictures that show what he's talking about, pitfalls to be aware of, the whole nine yards. I rarely recommend a book this enthusiastically, but this one is unbelievably helpful.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2007 : 07:17:26 AM
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Our first tractors were overkill. We wanted to be sure they were sturdy. They were - and darned heavy. I'm replacing them this year with PVC pipe on wooden baseboards. I'll cover them with chicken wire and cover that with a light weight cloth that will give them shade.
Robin
www.outdoorwriter.wordpress.com
www.thymeforewe.com
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2007 : 09:04:29 AM
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I made one using PVC pipe and chicken wire. It has no bottom and no top. It spent a great deal of time inside the large dome tent corraling baby chickens or a duck. I liked unzipping the tent to get in more than lifting boards and wire or other (guy fixing). It was terribly handy during our annual bird sale I could just reach in and grab what I needed. The bonus was the ability to attach hanging feeders anywhere I wanted with a bit of scrap wire.
Babs
Hatching Eggs: www.countryegg.com
& Home Goods: www.mugwortmaggies.etsy.com
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 03:44:25 AM
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We have 2. The first has a 2x4 used for a perch on the inside that doubles for a lift we can pick up and move. It's cumbersome but it works.
Our second is a bit beefier and come moving day, can be lifted up with a small dolly and wheels placed on 2 welded axles. Jacked up like this, I can swing and position the coop around by myself. |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 08:26:09 AM
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I have three chicken tractors and a "lamb tractor," too! I just love them. The book that started me off was "Chicken Tractor" (appropriately named ) by Andy Lee, and we just sort of modified things from there. They are 8x4x3' (the 3' being the "tall" part). That size was basically due to the convenient size of lumber. They're covered with chicken wire on all sides except the bottom, and have tin sided shelters on one corner that we face toward the prevailing winds. On the top, there is a plywood door that has hinges to lift it up - it's big enough that if I need to climb in, I can. I just love this idea - our chickens roam around the farm freely until it's garden season, then, so they don't eat everything that comes up, we "tractor" them through the summer until harvest is over. The lambs (two little Icelandic/Navajo-Churros from Aunt Jenny) go into the lamb tractor (12x12x4') and mow the grass in the orchard every now and then, and then go out to pasture.
It's great! I've even named them - the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria are the chicken tractors, and the lamb tractor is the Ark.
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
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herbquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
891 Posts
Kristine
Bonney Lake
Wa
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 08:55:07 AM
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You gals are awesome!
I never would have thought of using pvc. How do you all get the chickens (lambs) in?
The chicken tractor book is great.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 09:25:48 AM
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The doors in the top of my tractors are large enough to pop the guys and gals right in the top. Hoisting the chickens in is no problem - the lambs, however, are a little more challenging...
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
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herbquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
891 Posts
Kristine
Bonney Lake
Wa
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 5:38:37 PM
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Libbie,
Thanks for that, I think we'll do one with a top door for the chickens, & a end door for the turkey's.
We got 16 rir & 4 bronze turkey's today.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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greentea
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Alicia
Wisconsin
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 12:28:11 PM
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Are your chickens layer or broilers. If you have layers do you have to build a cubby for them to lay in?
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 8:41:31 PM
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Mine are layers - I put a little nesting box in each "tractor," and all of the hens seem to take turns and lay their eggs in it. I love that they all use the same one - that way I don't have to put a while row of them in...
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
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Barnyard Buddies: Chicken Tractor or Portable Chicken Pen |
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Chicken Tractor or Portable Chicken Pen
