Chicken tractor... In process

G Williams · Post by **G Williams** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:14 am

Just a suggestion. Cut a hole in the solid end wall, near the top. This will let some air flow through on windy days.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 12:31 pm

Looks nice and cozy JimW. One thing that might make life easier, if you put the feeder and waterer up off the ground and attached them to the tractor, they would move with it when you move it. It's tough to find something solid and flexible to replace the tarp that's not astronomically priced- if you find anything that fits the bill I'd love to know.

They used to sell those aluminum printer plates from newpaper printers, at one time everyone's ice fishing hut was covered with them. But I guess they are extinct now.

SarniaTricia · Post by **SarniaTricia** » Tue May 24, 2016 11:11 am

I've finished the tractor and the chickens are placed at the farm....
(I made the tractor in parts and moved it to the farm.)

A couple of things I am happy about:
I can move it myself
It has good space for 28-30 meat birds
I have good head room to feed and water them
The feeders are fixed to the tractor and easily travel with it.
Only takes 10-15 minutes to feed, water and move the birds in the AM.

Things I don't like:
To make it light enough for me to move myself I had to use tarp instead of solid roofing
If I don't move it 2x per day the chickens produce a lot of

, that I have to stand in as I push the tractor forward... Ew
I only have ONE...so far...

On another note... Farmer Sib told me they just trapped 2 raccoons the week before I installed the Meat Ball Mansion on site. Cross your fingers with me that, that is all.... not sure the roof could handle a raccoon siege.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Tue May 24, 2016 12:08 pm

That's nice! So you didn't have to buy any extra wood, that's great!
Might be worth putting a layer of chicken wire or if you have extra chain link over the tarp, there's a lot of tasty chicken dinner in there!

ross · Post by **ross** » Tue May 24, 2016 12:37 pm

Good deal Tricia , like the feeders . If nothing on bottom on outside coon most likely to dig under to get in . Can't tell in pic . Luck
Yep male coins are on the hunt / move right now .

SarniaTricia · Post by **SarniaTricia** » Tue May 24, 2016 2:40 pm

Robbie wrote:QR_BBPOST That's nice! So you didn't have to buy any extra wood, that's great!
Might be worth putting a layer of chicken wire or if you have extra chain link over the tarp, there's a lot of tasty chicken dinner in there!

I did have to buy wheels, tarp, lag bolts and rabbit wire... I think I might pickup some chicken wire to go over the tarp.... If it deters them just a bit more.... I also bought $20 worth of 2x3s.... just didn't quite have enough wood of the correct lengths.

Wheels $60
Lag bolts $12
Rabbit wire (1/2 x 1/2 14ga.. 50ft) $60
Tarp $18
Wood $20
Approx. $170 total plus time energy (blood, sweat and tears)

The rest is from scraps and hardware I had around the garage or parts of packing crates I found on the side of the road in the industrial area I travel through on my way to and from work.

SarniaTricia · Post by **SarniaTricia** » Tue May 24, 2016 2:42 pm

ross wrote:QR_BBPOST Good deal Tricia , like the feeders . If nothing on bottom on outside coon most likely to dig under to get in . Can't tell in pic . Luck
Yep male coins are on the hunt / move right now .

Nothing on the bottom edge right now... This is the first year Farmer Sib has had issues with raccoons... I'm just hoping that's the last of them.. Her dog usually keeps critters away.

Flat Rock Farm · Post by **Flat Rock Farm** » Tue May 24, 2016 3:12 pm

Great tractor Patricia. LOVE the name!!!

ross · Post by **ross** » Tue May 24, 2016 3:23 pm

Good luck ..

SarniaTricia · Post by **SarniaTricia** » Tue May 24, 2016 3:51 pm

ross wrote:QR_BBPOST Good luck ..

I know... I am so tempting fate.... ugggg... ok, as soon as I can scrape up the $$ I'm getting more wire.... DAMN I was hoping to keep costs down, but you are right Ross.... loosing all the birds to a raccoon isn't very cost effective either....