Tried and True Designs

[baronrenfrew]

Chicken tractors: this is the way to go for me. My first I built ten years ago. 4x6 tin roof split in half, one side hinged. 4 walls wire. Great for juvenile birds till adult, starting with 12 finish w 8 as they grow larger. Young birds sleep on ground in one corner. Next ones will be similiar but two walls solid (thin plywood) two walls wire. The wind is what could make it cold on cold spring and fall days and nights. We got 5 dogs so dog smell keeps trouble away. New ones will have wire on ground on 4 sides to stop potential digging predators. Last summer used a fixed coop and all birds were free ranged. I lost birds to hawks; birds get too much exercise and don't gain weight; plus garden damage. Free juvenile birds got coccidiosis: no deaths but extremely slow to mature and gain weight. Gonna build new ones for layers as well: controlled birds will prep land for future gardening. Plus no to shovel. The problem with tractors: catching birds when needed. Its easier to have a tall coop you can walk into and close door.

[WaupoosCowgirl]

I worry about the hawks around here so would like to figure out a couple of tractors....I can move them around with the 4 wheeler. We have about an acre of asparagus and would love to have them eating bugs in the patch but it is so open to birds of prey.

[baronrenfrew]

Young birds are dumb: if you build with a door and let them out, they will congregate outside at night, so you have to be home to put them in. If birds have never been free then they're happy in a tractor. Let em loose and they'll pace looking for a way out when locked up. I plan to get "apron" fence from "red brand" : a 5 foot chicken fence and bottom is on a hinge so perfect for a tractor.

[WLLady]

No problem with mine ross. But my birds are all pretty good....other people i know have had problems with tape eating etc and did exactly what you suggested and it worked perfectly.