Building A Chicken Tractor: Mother Earth News Guide

Chicken tractors, also known as chicken arks, are small coop-and-run combinations that allow you to easily integrate chickens into your vegetable garden or yard. While you can buy pre-made chicken tractors, kits, and plans, they tend to be expensive. Mother Earth News offers a variety of resources to help you build your own chicken tractor, including online learning videos, live Q&A sessions, magazine issues, and cheap chicken coop ideas using recycled materials, truck frames, and carpentry skills. With these resources, you can learn how to design and create a cost-effective and functional chicken tractor for your flock.

Chicken tractors are small coop-run combos

Chicken tractors, also known as chicken arks, are small coop-and-run combos that can be easily integrated into a vegetable garden or yard. Building your own chicken tractor is a great option for homesteaders, as buying pre-made tractors, kits, or plans can be expensive.

When designing a chicken tractor, it is important to consider the weight of the materials used. A common mistake is making the tractor too heavy, which can make it difficult for one person to move. Chicken tractors are most effective when they can be easily pulled to a fresh patch of lawn daily, providing new grazing opportunities for the hens. Light and sturdy materials, such as cedar branches or two-by-two lumber, are ideal for framing.

Wheels and handles are essential components of a chicken tractor. If the tractor is light enough, wheels may not be necessary, as they can create spaces for chickens to slip out from underneath. However, handles or strong ropes attached to each end can provide a convenient way to pull the tractor forward.

For those seeking a more unique design, a truck frame can be used as a base to build a movable chicken coop with basic carpentry skills. Reclaimed materials can also be incorporated into the design, such as using a recycled awning for the frame. Additionally, consider the climate and season when designing the chicken tractor to ensure the chickens remain comfortable throughout the year.

Building a chicken tractor requires careful planning and consideration of materials to create a functional and mobile home for your flock. By constructing your own, you can save costs and customize it to fit your specific needs and space.

Avoid making the tractor too heavy

Chicken tractors are small coop-and-run combos that make it easy to integrate chickens into a vegetable garden or yard. Although you can buy pre-made chicken tractors, kits, and plans, they are often pricey, so many homesteaders choose to build their own.

Weight is a crucial factor in building a chicken tractor. Avoid making the tractor too heavy, as this is the number one reason homemade chicken tractors fail. If the tractor is too heavy, it will be difficult for one person to move, and it will end up staying in one spot. Chicken tractors keep your hens happy only if they are pulled to a fresh patch of lawn daily, so pay attention to the weight of your framing material.

You can make the tractor light enough so that you don't need wheels, which is beneficial because wheels allow room for chickens to slip out underneath unless you build a wheel lift system. Handles are quite handy for moving the tractor. You can use a strong rope on each end of the tractor, connected at each corner into a loop, to pull the tractor forward.

Consider using lightweight materials such as cedar branches or two-by-two lumber for the framing. You can also recycle materials like the aluminum framing from a recycled awning or a used truck frame. Building a lightweight chicken tractor will make it easier to move and provide a happier and healthier environment for your hens.

Wheels and handles for easy movement

Chicken tractors need to be moved daily to fresh patches of lawn to keep your hens happy, so it's important to consider how you will move your tractor easily.

Wheels are one option, but they allow room for chickens to slip out underneath unless you build a wheel lift system. Handles are another option, and some people prefer to use a strong rope on each end of the tractor, connected at each corner into a loop that they can step into and pull the tractor forward.

If you make your tractor light enough, you might not need wheels at all. One option for achieving this is to use recycled materials, such as a recycled awning for framing, or a truck frame with the axle relocated to the center of the coop.

Another option is to use cedar branches or two-by-two lumber, but be careful not to make your tractor too solid and heavy, like the one described whose owner had to leave it in the same spot for a year because it was too heavy to move.

Winter accommodations for your chickens

Chicken tractors, also known as chicken arks, are small coop-and-run combos that can be easily moved to a fresh patch of lawn or garden. While you can buy pre-made chicken tractors, kits, and plans, they tend to be expensive. Therefore, many homesteaders opt to build their own.

When building a chicken tractor, it is important to consider its weight. A chicken tractor that is too heavy will be difficult for one person to move, defeating its purpose of being portable. Framing materials such as cedar branches, two-by-two lumber, or recycled aluminum can be used to keep the weight down. Additionally, handles or wheels can be added to make it easier to pull the tractor to a new location.

For those seeking winter accommodations for their chickens, there are a few options to consider:

• If you have a large garden and a small flock, you may be able to continue moving your chicken tractor to new spots throughout the winter. However, in smaller yards, this can result in a muddy mess.
• Build a winter base for your chicken tractor: Create a stationary base for your chicken tractor during the winter months and fill it with leaves to keep your chickens clean and dry.
• Construct a free-standing chicken coop: If you have the space, consider building a permanent chicken coop. This option may be more suitable for those with larger flocks or limited outdoor space. You can use salvaged materials and traditional techniques to construct a cozy and durable coop.
• Utilize a truck frame: Create a movable DIY chicken coop using a truck frame and basic carpentry skills. This option allows for flexibility and can be constructed using reclaimed materials.

Regardless of the option you choose, ensuring your chickens have a safe, warm, and dry space during the winter months is essential for their health and well-being. By providing adequate winter accommodations, you can help your flock stay comfortable and happy all season long.

Cheap chicken coop ideas with a used truck frame

Chicken tractors, or chicken arks, are small coop-and-run combos that can be easily integrated into a vegetable garden or yard. While you can buy pre-made chicken tractors, kits, and plans, they tend to be expensive. Thus, many homesteaders opt to build their own.

Building the Structure

Begin with a bare, stripped-down truck frame, removing the leaf springs and relocating the axle to the center of what will become the coop. Use reclaimed materials such as oriented strand board (OSB) for the exterior and egg boxes. For the windows, use 1/8-inch-thick Plexiglas, and install standard door hinges to allow easy access and cleaning. Consider adding a downward-opening door behind the nesting boxes, which can double as a shelf when collecting eggs.

Making it Mobile

Chicken tractors are meant to be moved to a fresh patch of lawn daily, so pay attention to the weight of your framing material. If you can make the tractor light enough, you may not need wheels; however, wheels can be useful, especially if you build a wheel lift system to prevent chickens from slipping out underneath. Handles or strong ropes on each end of the tractor can also help you pull it forward to a new spot.

Other Tips

• Create pull-out trays for easy cleaning.
• Ensure proper ventilation and install predator-proofing.
• If space is not a concern, consider building a free-standing chicken coop.
• Use recycled materials to keep costs low.

By following these ideas and tips, you can create a cheap and functional chicken coop using a used truck frame.

Frequently asked questions