Jake Harper
Chicken tractors are a great way to keep your chickens safe while allowing them to roam and forage for food. If you're handy with tools, you can build your own chicken tractor with some simple materials and free online plans. Many people share their DIY chicken tractor plans online, offering step-by-step instructions, pictures, and even videos to guide you through the process. With these resources, you can create a comfortable and secure home for your chickens that will last for years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | 2x4's, plywood, recycled wood, wood screws, chicken wire, metal piping, cardboard, glue, paint |
| Tools | Hammer, chisel, drill, saw |
| Features | Roost bar, optional door, heat lamp, tarp |
| Size | 8'x8' outside to outside, 30" tall with wheels, 3' chicken wire |
| Building Time | A couple of hours |
| Number of Builders | One |
| Plan Availability | Free, low-cost, or paid plans available online and in books |
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What You'll Learn
Using recycled wood and chicken wire
Building a chicken tractor with recycled wood and chicken wire is a cost-effective and sustainable way to provide your chickens with a safe and happy home. This project will allow you to customize the size, shape, and features to meet the specific needs of your flock and available space.
To begin, consider what recycled wood materials you have on hand and what you need to purchase. For this project, you will need wood screws, a 25-foot roll of chicken wire, and various other hardware. You can use 2x4 lumber to create the frame and plywood for the walls and roof. Cut three 2x4x8' pieces to a length of 93". 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, with the center one positioned in the middle to support the plywood lid.
Next, attach the plywood sheets to the frame. Place one sheet of plywood on the back of the frame, ensuring it is square with the edges and middle support piece. Screw it in place every foot around the perimeter. Place the second sheet of plywood against the first and screw on hinges to create a lid. You can use recycled or new hinges, or simply set the panel on top.
Now, it's time to attach the chicken wire. Use 1/2 inch heavy-duty staples to attach the chicken wire to the inside of the frame and braces, going all the way down to the bottom of the floor braces. If you are concerned about predators, consider using hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, as it is more durable and can be secured to the ground to prevent digging.
Finally, add the finishing touches. Create a ladder or ramp for your chickens to enter and exit the tractor. You can also add an optional roost by drilling holes in two 22" 2x4 pieces and placing a dowel or pipe about 8 to 10" off the ground. Don't forget to add a 3-inch layer of straw or wood chip bedding to the pen box and nest boxes to insulate the pen and keep your chickens comfortable.
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Adding a roost bar
If you want to create your own, you can use a wooden dowel or a 2x4 lumber piece. The roosting bar should be placed off the floor, with a minimum height of one foot, so the chickens can roost comfortably. The perches should always be higher than the nest box, and you should allow at least 1.5 feet of clearance from the ceiling. Ensure that the edges are smooth to prevent your chickens from getting splinters.
For an optional roost, you can add two 22" 2x4 pieces to the sides of the frame towards the back of the chicken tractor. Drill holes in these wood pieces about 8 to 10" off the ground, and place a dowel or pipe to serve as the roost.
To prevent insects and mites, rub wooden perches with Neem Tree Oil and sprinkle diatomaceous earth in and around the corners of the coop.
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Insulating the pen
Insulating your chicken tractor is important to keep your chickens warm in winter and cool in summer. The ceiling is often the easiest part of the coop to insulate. You can use fiberglass sheets or foam board under the roof, covered with thin plywood panelling. The panelling will protect the insulation from being pecked by chickens and makes the ceiling brighter and easier to clean.
If you are building your coop from scratch, you can pack insulation between the inside and outside walls. Conventional materials like fiberglass or foam board can be used, or cheaper options like shredded paper, multiple sheets of newspaper, layers of cardboard, or plastic.
Small cracks in the walls can be filled with caulk or spray foam insulation, but be sure to use it only where chickens can't peck at it. A temporary fix for drafty coops is to cover the walls with tarps, plastic sheets, cardboard, or old towels and blankets. These materials not only stop drafts but also create an insulating layer of air.
To check if your coop is drafty, hold up a strip of tissue paper in the roosting area. If the tissue moves, the coop is drafty. You can also check at night by turning on the light and looking for light seepage from outside.
Chickens need healthy ventilation, even in cold weather, so avoid insulating heavily.
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Using a heat lamp and tarp
Chicken tractors are a great way to keep your chickens on fresh grass and provide them with nutrients. When building a chicken tractor, you may want to consider using a heat lamp and tarp to keep your chickens warm, especially during the colder months. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations for using a heat lamp and tarp in your chicken tractor:
Using a Heat Lamp:
Heat lamps are a common way to provide supplemental heat for chickens, especially for chicks or in colder climates. They are generally affordable and can be purchased from farming supply stores. Heat lamps come with either red or clear bulbs, with red bulbs being more expensive but lasting longer and having the added benefit of discouraging chicks from pecking at each other. When using a heat lamp, it is important to prioritize safety. Heat lamps can get extremely hot and pose a fire hazard, especially if they come into contact with flammable bedding or straw. Ensure that your heat lamp has safety features such as a porcelain socket, a reflector to direct heat, and a wire guard safety cover to prevent contact with the hot bulb. Additionally, avoid positioning the heat lamp directly above the feeder and drinker to discourage chickens from bedding down on the feed and water. Instead, place it in the middle of the chicken tractor or at one end, leaving enough room for feeders and drinkers at the other end.
Using a Tarp:
Tarps can be used in conjunction with a heat lamp to help retain heat and block drafts or wind gusts. When using a tarp, ensure that there is still adequate ventilation to maintain the health of your chickens. You can cover the top, back, and sides of the chicken tractor with a tarp, leaving the front uncovered for fresh air access. Additionally, consider using a semi-reflective tarp, which can help reflect heat back towards the chickens.
Alternative Heating Methods:
While heat lamps are popular, they may not be the most energy-efficient option. An alternative to consider is radiant heat, which produces heat through electromagnetic energy without emitting light. Radiant heat is more expensive upfront but is more energy-efficient and cheaper to operate in the long run. However, since chicks need daytime light to find their feed and water, you will need to provide additional lighting during the day if using radiant heat.
By following these considerations and instructions, you can effectively use a heat lamp and tarp to keep your chickens warm in their tractor, ensuring their comfort and health during cooler temperatures.
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Building with plywood and lumber
Building a chicken tractor with plywood and lumber is a simple process that can be done by one person in a couple of hours. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to build one:
First, cut three 2x4x8' pieces of lumber to a length of 93". Place them on the edge inside the top frame and screw them in place at quarter, half, and three-quarter marks across. These pieces should run from side to side, in the same direction as the wheels. Ensure that the centre piece is in the middle, so the two plywood top pieces will hinge on it.
Next, place one sheet of plywood at the back of the frame, ensuring it is squared with the edges and middle support piece. Screw this in place every foot around the perimeter. The support stud should be showing to support the lid. Place the second sheet of plywood against the first, and screw on hinges over the seam line between the two pieces.
For an optional roost, add two 22" 2x4 pieces to the sides of the frame towards the back of the tractor. Drill holes in these wood pieces about 8 to 10" off the ground, and place a dowel or pipe for the chickens to roost on.
Finally, you can add a metal roof to your chicken tractor. Using the half-lap joint method, cut out notches between the roughly 2" marks. These notches will be wide enough for your metal roof pipes to fit into. Clamp one of your 2x2s at the top of the metal roof piping, with the notches facing upwards. Drill holes through the metal pipe in line with the 2x2. You can also add a door to your chicken tractor with some slight modifications.
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Frequently asked questions
A chicken tractor is a movable chicken coop that allows you to keep your chickens safely outdoors on grass.
You can build a chicken tractor using recycled wood materials such as plywood and 2x4s, as well as chicken wire, wood screws, and other hardware.
You can find free chicken tractor plans with detailed instructions on websites like Instructables and Reddit's r/Homesteading. Some books, like "Stress-Free Chicken Tractor Plans," also offer step-by-step guides for building a chicken tractor.
