Training Wheels: A Portable Chicken Tractor Upgrade

Adding training wheels to a portable chicken tractor can be a convenient way to improve its mobility. While some chicken farmers prefer to drag their tractors or coops, others opt for wheels to make moving them more manageable. There are various ways to add wheels, including purchasing wheel kits or using casters, small tires, or lawnmower tires. The EggCart'n Wheel Lift Kit, for example, offers retractable wheels that fit most chicken tractors and can move up to 50 chickens in a 10'x12' coop weighing up to 400 lbs. This kit features a two-pedal system for easy lifting and lowering of the tractor. Other options include mounting casters or small tires to the tractor frame with linchpins or bolts, ensuring that the wheels are large enough for traction and don't raise the coop too high off the ground, allowing chickens to escape.

Retractable wheels for convenience

Retractable wheels can be a convenient addition to your chicken tractor, making it easier to move around. There are several ways to add wheels to your chicken tractor, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

One option is to purchase a wheel lift kit, such as the EggCart'n Wheel Lift Kit, which is designed to fit almost any chicken tractor. This kit includes retractable wheels that can be raised or lowered using a two-pedal system. Stepping on the front pedal raises the tractor, while the back pedal lowers it. The kit is recommended for tractors up to 10' x 12' in size and weighing up to 400 lbs. Installation is straightforward and can be completed by one person in about 15 to 30 minutes, requiring only a screwdriver or bit driver. The kit also includes durable steel components with a powder coating to prevent rusting and foam-filled tires that won't go flat.

Another option is to mount casters or small tires to the tractor frame using linchpins or bolts. This method allows for temporary mounting, as the casters can be removed once the tractor is in the desired position. However, it may require attaching the casters to an additional piece of metal or wood. While smaller casters can be useful for manoeuvring the tractor into corners, larger lawnmower wheels or tractor tires may provide better traction on uneven or grassy terrain.

Alternatively, you can create a hinged board flap with wheels. This setup allows the wheels to sit vertically along the back of the tractor when not in use and then hinge horizontally to fit under the tractor when it needs to be moved. This option provides the convenience of retractable wheels without the need for lifting or mounting additional wheels.

If you're handy with tools, you can also try making your own retractable wheel system. This could involve creating a custom axle that can be kicked under the tractor when you want to move it, as mentioned in one online video. Another innovative idea is to have "'flip-down' wheels that can be braced in the down position with a short board, as seen in some online coops.

Adding retractable wheels to your chicken tractor will undoubtedly make it more portable and convenient to move, saving you time and effort in your chicken farming endeavours.

Using a wheel/lift kit

Adding wheels to your chicken tractor can make your chicken farming experience much more convenient and efficient. One option for doing so is to use a wheel/lift kit. These kits are designed to help you add wheels to your chicken tractor with ease, and they fit almost any chicken tractor. They are also suitable for coops that weigh up to 400 lbs and measure up to 10' x 12'.

The EggCart'n Wheel Lift Kit is one such kit that can be installed by one person in around 15-30 minutes. It features retractable wheels, a two-pedal system, and a front dolly handle. To install it, simply attach the hardware to your chicken tractor using a screwdriver or bit driver; no special tools are required. The steel components are powder-coated to prevent rusting, and the tires are foam-filled so they won't go flat.

Another option is to purchase a kit with flip-down wheels that can be braced in the down position with a short board. This type of kit allows you to lift the chicken tractor just a couple of inches off the ground, which is ideal if you want to keep the tractor flush with the ground to prevent chickens from escaping.

If you're handy, you can also create your own wheel system. For example, you could use rubber tires from TSC, which cost around $7 each, and attach them to your tractor using threaded stock, hitch pins, and washers. This setup allows for quick-release removal of the wheels. Alternatively, you could use lawnmower tires or casters, but be aware that casters may not work well on uneven, grassy terrain.

Overall, using a wheel/lift kit or creating your own wheel system can greatly improve the moveability of your chicken tractor, making your chicken farming experience much easier and more enjoyable.

Ensuring wheels are flush with the ground

When adding wheels to your chicken tractor, it is important to ensure that the wheels are flush with the ground to prevent chickens from escaping. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Firstly, consider the size and weight of your chicken tractor. The weight distribution will impact how easily the tractor can be lifted and moved. It is important to choose wheels that can withstand the weight of your chicken tractor. For heavier tractors, wider tires or rollers are recommended to prevent them from sinking into the ground. Lawnmower tires or wheelbarrow tires can be a good option, as they are designed to handle uneven terrain.

Secondly, the placement of the wheels is crucial. Mounting the wheels too close to the ends of the tractor may allow chickens to escape, as it can be easier to lift that end off the ground. Instead, consider placing the wheels near the center of the tractor to maintain stability and make it more difficult for chickens to escape.

Additionally, you can explore the use of retractable or flip-down wheels. These wheels can be lowered when you need to move the tractor and retracted or flipped up when it needs to be flush with the ground. This ensures that the tractor remains stable and secure, providing a safe environment for your chickens.

Another option is to create a hinged board flap with wheels. When not in use, the board can sit vertically along the back of the tractor, and then hinge horizontally to fit under the tractor when you need to move it. This way, the wheels are only engaged when needed, and the tractor remains flush with the ground otherwise.

Lastly, consider using a wheel lift kit. These kits are designed to easily add wheels to your chicken tractor, and some kits even include a two-pedal system. You can raise the tractor by stepping on the front pedal and lowering it by stepping on the back pedal. This feature allows you to control the height of the tractor, ensuring that it is flush with the ground when needed.

Using castor wheels for swivelling

If you're looking to use castor wheels for swivelling your chicken tractor, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the size of the castor wheels matters. Smaller castor wheels may not be suitable for uneven, grassy terrain as they may struggle to get traction. Instead, larger castor wheels, such as 6" or even 7-8" castor wheels, could provide better stability and traction on uneven ground.

Secondly, the weight of the chicken tractor is important. If your chicken tractor is heavy, you'll need to ensure that the castor wheels are durable and sturdy enough to support the weight. This may require using more robust materials or a greater number of castor wheels to distribute the weight evenly.

Thirdly, the placement of the castor wheels is crucial. Mounting the castor wheels under the main frame of the chicken tractor will lift the bottom off the ground, which could allow chickens to escape. To prevent this, you can try placing the castor wheels near the centre of the tractor, as this will make it harder for chickens to escape during movement. Alternatively, you can consider using a combination of castor wheels and fixed wheels, with the fixed wheels providing stability and the castor wheels enabling swivelling.

Additionally, you can explore the option of retractable or removable castor wheels. This involves mounting the castor wheels in a way that allows you to retract or remove them when not in use, ensuring that the chicken tractor remains flush with the ground. This can be achieved through a kickable axle or a hinged board flap with wheels that can be lowered when needed.

Lastly, it's important to consider the terrain of your yard. While castor wheels provide excellent manoeuvrability, they may not perform well on uneven, grassy terrain. If your yard has a smooth surface, such as a golf course or desert terrain, castor wheels for swivelling could be a suitable option. However, if your yard is lumpy and grassy, fixed wheels with an axle might be a more practical choice.

DIY options for wheel installation

There are several DIY options for installing wheels on a chicken tractor, with many people opting to create their own wheel system to increase the portability of their coops.

One option is to use a wheel/lift kit, which can be purchased online and fitted to your chicken tractor at home. These kits are designed to fit almost any chicken tractor, with some kits accommodating coops up to 10'x12' and weighing up to 400 lbs. They are easy to install, requiring only a screwdriver or bit driver, and featuring a two-pedal system for raising and lowering the tractor. The wheels are retractable, and the kit includes a front dolly handle to make manoeuvring the chicken tractor easier.

If you're handy with tools and want to create your own wheel system, there are several options to consider. One person suggested using caster wheels to easily swivel their coop into corners. However, they found that small casters didn't work well on their lumpy, grassy lawn, and swivelling casters ended up stuck in their own ruts. Another person suggested using larger, non-swivelling lawnmower wheels, which can be manoeuvred into corners by lifting one end of the tractor. You can also temporarily mount casters by pinning them to the tractor frame with linchpins or bolts, then removing them once the tractor is in position.

Another DIY option is to create a flip-down wheel system. One person described seeing a coop with wheels that could be flipped down to lift the chicken tractor a couple of inches off the ground, braced in position with a short board. This system allows the tractor to be moved without raising it too high off the ground, which could allow chickens to escape.

When installing wheels on your chicken tractor, it's important to consider the height of the tractor when raised, the ease of manoeuvring, and the security of the wheels to prevent chickens from escaping.

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