Constructing A Mobile Chicken Tractor For Happy, Healthy Laying Hens

Chicken tractors are a great way to free-range your chickens in a protected area. They can be used for egg-laying hens, meat chickens, turkeys, and even baby chicks. Chicken tractors are movable coops that allow chickens to peck and scratch the ground without destroying your yard. Building a chicken tractor requires careful planning and consideration to ensure it is durable, reliable, and safe from predators. You can use basic materials like wood, PVC arches, chicken wire, and hardware to build a simple chicken tractor. It's important to provide adequate ventilation, shade, and nesting boxes for your hens. With the right design and regular maintenance, a chicken tractor can be a great addition to your backyard or farm.

Chicken tractors must be moveable, with skids or wheels

Chicken tractors are a great solution for egg-laying hens, as they allow them to free-range in a protected area. They are also useful for meat chickens, turkeys, and baby chicks.

Chicken tractors must be moveable to be effective. This means they should not be fixed to the ground like a static coop. Instead, they should be built with skids or wheels to allow for easy movement. This is beneficial for two main reasons. Firstly, it gives your chickens access to new ground and helps prevent them from completely destroying one area of your yard. Secondly, by regularly moving the tractor, you can minimise chicken manure buildup, as chickens will not continue foraging in the same spot after 24 hours.

There are several ways to make your chicken tractor movable. One option is to use skids, which are essentially runners that allow the tractor to be dragged to a new location. This design can be seen in the Medium A-Frame Chicken Tractor, which is suitable for larger suburban lots or hobby farms. Another option is to use wheels, which can be attached to the frame of the tractor. An example of this design is the Idaho A-Frame, which is demonstrated in the videos on the Homesteading Family website.

When designing your chicken tractor, it is important to consider the weight of the structure and ensure it is light enough to be easily moved. Additionally, you may want to incorporate features such as a pulley system that allows you to seal up the roosting area at night, making it easier to move the tractor in the morning.

Provide adequate space for chickens to move around and access the ground

When building a chicken tractor for laying hens, it is important to provide enough space for them to move around and access the ground. A general rule of thumb is to allocate four square feet of space per chicken for egg-laying hens and two square feet per chicken for meat chickens. For example, if you have 50 to 60 chickens, a chicken tractor that measures 10 feet by 12 feet would be ideal.

It is also important to consider the design of the chicken tractor to maximise space. For instance, adding roosting bars or nesting boxes will utilise the vertical space within the tractor and provide areas for the hens to rest and lay eggs. Additionally, building a ramp or ladder will allow the hens to easily enter and exit the tractor, making use of the ground space.

To ensure the hens have adequate access to the ground, the chicken tractor should be propped up on frames or wheels to keep it slightly elevated. This allows the hens to freely move in and out of the tractor and access the ground below. Regularly moving the chicken tractor is also essential to prevent manure buildup and to allow the hens to forage for bugs and worms in fresh areas.

By providing sufficient space and access to the ground, you can ensure that your laying hens remain healthy and happy in their chicken tractor home.

Ensure proper ventilation and protection from predators

When building a chicken tractor for laying hens, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure proper ventilation and protection from predators.

Firstly, let's discuss ventilation. Proper ventilation is crucial for the health and well-being of your laying hens. High humidity and poor air quality can lead to respiratory issues and negatively impact the growth and development of your chickens. To ensure proper ventilation, use your senses to check the air quality. If the air looks hazy or smells sour or of ammonia, it's an indication that ventilation needs to be improved. Ideally, the relative humidity (RH) level should be maintained below 65%. Increase ventilation if the RH exceeds this threshold.

To achieve and maintain proper ventilation in your chicken tractor, consider the following:

• Seal any holes, cracks, and air leaks with expanding spray foam or a suitable sealant to prevent drafts.
• Control the incoming air by ensuring it flows along the ceiling and mixes with warm air at the peak of the structure.
• Install a fan designed for dusty and outdoor environments, such as a barn or workshop fan. Regularly clean the fan to maintain its performance and prevent fire hazards.
• Provide more ventilation openings than you might typically expect. If you live in a hot climate, consider having large ventilation areas on all four walls, and if possible, make one or more walls mostly or entirely screen or hardware cloth.
• In warmer climates, ensure that covers are draft-proof and fit snugly or are weather-stripped to prevent air leakage.

Now, let's discuss protection from predators. Chicken tractors can be protected from predators by implementing several measures:

• Use strong wire mesh or hardware cloth to enclose the tractor, including the bottom, to prevent digging. Ensure that the mesh is securely attached and buried to deter animals like dogs or snakes from digging underneath.
• Install an electric fence about 10 inches from the mesh wire to provide an additional layer of protection.
• Place boards or a "skirt" of hardware cloth around the base of the tractor to discourage digging.
• Ensure that the chicken tractor is moved regularly, as predators may be attracted to a stationary tractor.
• If possible, use livestock guardian dogs to protect the chickens, especially at night when they are more vulnerable.
• Place the chicken tractor on a raised structure, such as cinder blocks, and fill the surrounding area with gravel to make it difficult for predators to dig.
• Always ensure that the chicken tractor is securely latched to prevent predators from gaining easy access.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your laying hens have proper ventilation and are protected from potential predators.

Use durable materials like welded wire fencing, and avoid chicken wire

Chicken tractors are a great way to provide your laying hens with access to fresh grass and bugs while also protecting them from predators. When building a chicken tractor, it is important to use durable materials like welded wire fencing and avoid chicken wire. Here's why:

Welded wire fencing is made by weaving or welding steel wires together and then hot-dipping them in zinc to protect them from rust. This results in a strong and durable material that can keep your chickens safe from predators. Chicken wire, on the other hand, is flimsy and has large holes that put your hens at risk. Predators like raccoons can reach through the holes, causing panic and even grabbing your birds. Additionally, chickens may stick their heads through the wire to get weeds or grass, making them easy prey for cunning animals like weasels.

When building your chicken tractor, consider using heavy-duty 2x4” welded wire fencing. This size is ideal for containing your chickens, deterring predators, and providing adequate ventilation. You can staple the welded wire fencing onto your chicken tractor frame and reinforce it with ½” hardware cloth along the bottom for added protection. This combination will ensure that your chickens are well-protected while still allowing for air circulation and manure droppings to fall through.

It is also important to ensure that your chicken tractor is movable. This can be achieved by adding skids or wheels to the structure. By regularly moving the tractor, you can prevent excessive chicken manure buildup and allow your chickens to access fresh grass and bugs without destroying one area of your yard completely. A general rule of thumb is to provide four square feet per chicken for egg layers, so keep that in mind when determining the size of your chicken tractor.

Lastly, don't forget to include nesting boxes and roosting areas in your chicken tractor design. The nesting boxes provide a place for your laying hens to comfortably lay their eggs, while the roosting areas offer shade and protection from aerial predators during the day and sealable spaces at night to keep ground predators at bay. By following these guidelines and using durable materials like welded wire fencing, you can create a safe and functional chicken tractor for your laying hens.

Include nesting boxes and roosting areas for laying hens

If you're using your chicken tractor for egg-laying hens, you'll need to include nesting boxes and roosting areas. Nesting boxes provide a space for hens to lay their eggs, while roosting areas offer perches for hens to rest and sleep. Here are some tips for incorporating these essential features into your chicken tractor design:

Firstly, decide on the number of nesting boxes required. As a general rule, provide one nesting box for every three to four hens. Ensure the nesting boxes are spacious enough for the hens to turn around and line them with soft, absorbent bedding material such as straw or wood shavings. Position the nesting boxes in a covered, secluded area within the chicken tractor to provide a sense of privacy and security for the hens.

For the roosting area, install diagonal roosting bars made from sturdy lumber, positioned off the ground by about 8 to 10 inches. Ensure the roosting bars are wide enough for the hens to comfortably perch, and place them at varying heights to accommodate different-sized birds. The roosting area should be well-ventilated to maintain respiratory health, especially during hot summers. Consider adding an open-air bottom below the roosting area, protected by welded wire fencing, to allow manure to drop through while providing ventilation.

To enhance the comfort and safety of the hens, provide ample space below the roosting area for shade during the day. It is crucial to protect the hens from aerial predators like hawks and eagles, as well as ground predators such as coyotes and raccoons. Ensure the roosting area can be completely sealed at night to prevent ground predators from gaining access. Consider a ramp with a pulley system that allows you to securely shut the hens in for the night while enabling easy movement of the tractor.

By incorporating these features into your chicken tractor design, you can create a functional and comfortable space for your egg-laying hens. Remember to adjust the measurements and spacing according to the size of your flock and the dimensions of your chicken tractor.

Frequently asked questions