Constructing A Chicken Tractor: Raising Meat Birds

Raising your own meat chickens is a great way to move towards food security. Chicken tractors are a fantastic way to allow your meat chickens to free-range in a protected area. They are a low, wire-enclosed, open-bottomed box for raising chickens. Chicken tractors are usually moved to fresh ground daily, and they can be constructed to just about any size. When building a chicken tractor, it is important to ensure that it is lightweight, portable, and predator-proof, with adequate space, airflow, shade, and protection from wind and rain. This introduction will cover the basics of chicken tractors and provide an overview of the benefits and considerations for building one for meat birds.

Chicken tractor design basics

Chicken tractors are a great way to allow your chickens to free-range in a protected area. They are usually constructed with a solid roof and open sides enclosed in chicken wire. Here are some design basics to consider when building a chicken tractor:

Size

Chicken tractors can be constructed to just about any size suitable for your purposes. A general rule of thumb is to have four square feet per chicken for egg layers and two square feet per chicken for meat chickens. For example, a 4' x 4' tractor can house half a dozen birds, while a 10' x 12' tractor can hold about 50-75 birds.

Materials

Chicken tractors can be made from basic materials found at a lumber yard or hardware store. You can use wood, chicken wire or hardware cloth, and staples. For the roof, you can use plywood or a tarp for protection from the elements.

Mobility

Chicken tractors must be movable to be effective. This can be achieved by adding skids or wheels to the structure. Ensure that the tractor is lightweight enough to move easily, especially if you plan to move it daily to fresh ground.

Accessories

You can add accessories to your chicken tractor, such as a roost, a feeder, and a waterer. The waterer can be hung from a support bar under the lid so that it moves with the tractor. You can also add a tarp to at least three sides of the tractor for additional shade and weather protection.

Breed

Consider the breed of chicken you intend to raise in the tractor. Different breeds may have different space requirements and needs. For example, heavy broiler breeds like Cornish Cross and Red Rangers tend to produce more waste, so adequate space and mobility are important.

Chicken tractor materials

Chicken tractors are typically made from wood, wire, and hardware. The specific materials required will depend on the design and size of your chicken tractor, as well as the number of chickens you intend to house.

For example, to build an 8'x8' chicken tractor, you will need:

• Two sheets of plywood for the top
• Standard 8' dimensional lumber
• Chicken wire (3' high)
• Wheels
• Handles
• Hinges
• Screws

You can also add an optional roost by attaching two 22" 2x4 pieces to the sides of the frame, and drilling holes for a dowel or pipe about 8 to 10" off the ground.

For a larger chicken tractor, such as one measuring 10'x5'x2', you will need:

• 11 2"x2"x8' boards, cut accordingly
• A tarp (at least 8'x10')
• Chicken feeder and waterer

To protect your chickens from predators, you may want to use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. Ensure that the squares are no larger than 1/4".

Finally, consider adding a heat lamp to your chicken tractor, especially if you live in a cooler climate. You can cover the tractor with a tarp on cool nights to provide additional warmth.

Building the frame

Chicken tractors are a great way to allow your meat chickens to free-range in a protected area. The tractors are usually constructed with a solid roof and open sides enclosed in chicken wire. You can construct it to any size suitable for your purpose, but it should be big enough to allow 1-2 square feet of space per bird. For example, a 10'x5'x2' chicken tractor can hold 25 birds at 2 square feet each.

When building the frame, you can use basic materials found at the lumber yard or hardware store. You can even use scraps of lumber, chicken wire, and hardware. If you're using furring strips, predrill the holes to avoid splitting. Attach one 2' board vertically in each corner and in the middle of each side for support. You can use a 2"x2"x2' board here. Add the top frame of the meat bird tractor onto the vertical boards. Attach a 5' board across the back half of the top frame to support the hardware cloth that will be attached later.

For a larger model, you may need heavier framing. Cut three 2"x4"x8' pieces to 93" length. Place them on edge inside the top frame and screw them in place at 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 of the way across. These should run from side to side, the same way as the wheels. Place one sheet of plywood on the back of the frame, square with the edges and middle support piece, and screw it in place every foot around the perimeter. Place the second sheet of plywood against the first piece and screw on hinges over the seam line.

You can also add an optional roost by attaching two 22" 2"x4" pieces to the sides of the frame toward the back of the tractor. Drill holes about 8-10" off the ground and place a dowel or pipe for the chickens to roost.

Adding the finishing touches

Now that you've built the frame of your chicken tractor, it's time to add some finishing touches to make it comfortable and functional for your meat birds. Here are some essential additions:

Roofing and Sides

It's important to cover the roof and sides of your chicken tractor to protect your birds from the elements and keep them secure. Some people prefer a solid roof, such as metal or plywood, while others opt for a tarp or chicken wire. If you choose chicken wire, make sure it's a thicker gauge to prevent predators and curious goats from breaking through. You can also use hardware cloth, which has smaller squares and provides better protection against predators. Don't forget to leave some ventilation openings to ensure adequate airflow.

Feeder and Waterer

Your birds will need easy access to food and water. Hang a chicken feeder and waterer inside the tractor, and consider hanging the waterer from a support bar so that it moves with the tractor when you roll it. You can also add a roost inside the tractor by drilling holes in two 2x4 pieces of wood and placing a dowel or pipe about 8 to 10 inches off the ground.

Wheels or Skids

To make your chicken tractor truly functional, it needs to be movable. Add wheels or skids to the structure to easily move it around and provide your birds with fresh grass and bugs daily. Ensure the wheels are sturdy enough to handle the weight of the tractor and can navigate the terrain.

Size and Space

The size of your chicken tractor will depend on the number of birds you plan to house. As a general rule of thumb, allow for 2 square feet of space per meat chicken. For example, a 10' x 5' x 2' tractor can comfortably hold 25 birds, while a smaller 4' x 4' tractor can accommodate half a dozen birds.

Optional Extras

Consider adding a handle to your chicken tractor to make it easier to move, especially if you plan to move it by yourself. You may also want to include a door or hatch to provide easy access for cleaning, feeding, and collecting the birds. A heat lamp can be useful during cooler nights, and don't forget to add a tarp for extra protection from the wind, rain, and cold temperatures.

By adding these finishing touches, your chicken tractor will be ready to welcome your meat birds, providing them with a comfortable, secure, and functional home.

Chicken tractor maintenance

Chicken tractors are portable enclosures that allow your chickens to free-range in a protected area. They are usually moved to fresh ground daily, and their construction varies from simple to complex.

Materials

Chicken tractors can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, PVC, tarps, and wire mesh. The choice of materials will impact the durability and maintenance requirements of the tractor. For example, a solid wood frame and metal roofing will be more durable but also heavier, while PVC and tarps are less expensive but require more maintenance.

Moving the Tractor

Chicken tractors need to be moved regularly, either daily or every few days, to ensure that the chickens have access to fresh vegetation and to prevent them from turning the ground into a dirt patch. Moving the tractor can be challenging, depending on its size and design, and care must be taken to ensure that the chickens do not get hurt during the move.

Cleaning

The nesting area of the chicken tractor should be cleaned weekly to maintain hygiene. Regular cleaning is also necessary to manage the chicken manure, which can be used as fertilizer but can also accumulate and cause a mess if not addressed.

Adjustments

Chicken tractors can be adjusted to suit your specific needs. For example, you can add a tarp to provide shade and protection from the elements or include nesting boxes and roosting bars if you are using the tractor for egg-laying chickens. It is important to ensure that the tractor provides adequate space for the birds, with a general guideline of 2 square feet per chicken for meat chickens and 4 square feet per chicken for egg-laying chickens.

Frequently asked questions