Chicken tractor... In process

JimW · Post by **JimW** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 1:01 am

Here is one of my little "Hoop Pens" in the works. It is only 8' x 4'.

This is my second one, I plan to build a couple more. It will several several purposes. I will use them to hold small breeding groups (trios or quads), use as grown pens and my first use as soon as I get this one done in the next couple days is as a chicken "rototiller".

I am building some new 8' x 4' raised garden beds, so I am going to put the pen in the spot where I want my garden beds and let the chickens dig up the grass and weeds for awhile and then move it to the new garden bed spot.

The plan is to cover the one end and 1/2 the top with a tarp, install roosts and next box on 1 end.

JimW

Flat Rock Farm · Post by **Flat Rock Farm** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:27 am

Looking great so far Jim!!

I really like the idea of putting it on the raised bed, they will do a great job of tilling and fertilizing all in one

SandyM · Post by **SandyM** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:49 am

JimW wrote:QR_BBPOST Here is one of my little "Hoop Pens" in the works. It is only 8' x 4'.

This is my second one, I plan to build a couple more. It will several several purposes. I will use them to hold small breeding groups (trios or quads), use as grown pens and my first use as soon as I get this one done in the next couple days is as a chicken "rototiller".

I am building some new 8' x 4' raised garden beds, so I am going to put the pen in the spot where I want my garden beds and let the chickens dig up the grass and weeds for awhile and then move it to the new garden bed spot.

The plan is to cover the one end and 1/2 the top with a tarp, install roosts and next box on 1 end.

JimW

How will you get them in and out?

kenya · Post by **kenya** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 9:16 am

Love that hoop tractor too.

JimW · Post by **JimW** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 10:18 pm

SandyM wrote:
How will you get them in and out?

I was thinking of that problem, so I did an internet search, and I think I have found a solution..... a door. lol. sorry could not resist.

But seriously, both ends will have access doors made from 2'x4' wire shelf panels. I will post pictures when I have finished it, in between cutting brush today, I build a nest box for the pen today.

Post by **WLLady** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 10:06 am

OMG a DOOR???! REALLY!??!? LOL. thanks for the laugh. i needed that. ;-P

baronrenfrew · Post by **baronrenfrew** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 4:37 pm

TomK wrote:QR_BBPOST Robbie..awesome link...that would be fairly light to move around...might have to peg it down

I hear ya Tom: you want it light so you can move it, but heavy so a Thunderstorm with 100mph winds won't tip it over: which is the downfall of pvc designs.

baronrenfrew · Post by **baronrenfrew** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 4:46 pm

TomK wrote:QR_BBPOST Robbie....so true..took them all of a day to turn it into bare dirt here..lol

If you think about it, wild jungle fowl live at low densities, and chickens should not stand and scratch in their own "waste". Thus the problem behind coccidiosis, the cysts get "dumped" and re-eaten increasing the cyst densities, my young birds were all messed up by this last year. I have to butcher a bird to figure out if it creates permanent damage to the digestive tract. The cockerals last year never gained weight and I sold them cheap to a guy instead of butchering. The hens I sold this spring so I only have two left from last year. It would take some serious controlled testing to see what difference it makes. The best research I found online had to do with coccidiosis in cattle.

Bottom line, moveable coops are best.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:53 pm

baronrenfrew wrote:QR_BBPOST
TomK wrote:QR_BBPOST Robbie....so true..took them all of a day to turn it into bare dirt here..lol
If you think about it, wild jungle fowl live at low densities, and chickens should not stand and scratch in their own "waste". Thus the problem behind coccidiosis, the cysts get "dumped" and re-eaten increasing the cyst densities, my young birds were all messed up by this last year. I have to butcher a bird to figure out if it creates permanent damage to the digestive tract. The cockerals last year never gained weight and I sold them cheap to a guy instead of butchering. The hens I sold this spring so I only have two left from last year. It would take some serious controlled testing to see what difference it makes. The best research I found online had to do with coccidiosis in cattle.

Bottom line, moveable coops are best.

I completely agree with that- I'm just trying to figure out the logistics of it all.

JimW · Post by **JimW** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 10:43 pm

Here are a couple updated photos. The one is finished and is housing a quad of Cream Legbars and "Marshmellow" a crossbreed layer.

The second one is almost done, I just have to secure the tarp a bit more and add on the 2nd wire shelf as the flip down door. I build an external nest box for this one from crap lumber I had.

Both of these are not pretty and are for short term use. When I have more time in the summer I we build better ones but similar design. The main thing is I would like to find something more permanent/durable to replace the tarp, something metal or thin pliable rigid plastic?