Chicken Tractor

A movable chicken tractor attached to our main chicken coop run. As we are in an area that does not allow for free ranging poultry this, allows for our flock to have rotating fresh grass.

A rather simple design. I first made a a ~4x4' cedar box (1x4, nailed & glued, with 2x2 in corners) with a roof. Three sides were covered with some modified steel grid panels secured with SS screws and washers. The fourth side I cut a ~16" hole in some painted 1/2" marine plywood (to attach the tunnel) and added a locking access door. I had to design and print some stand offs for the hinges for clearance. 

The entire assembly sits on four gate caster wheels. These casters have spring suspension. I designed and printed locking 'blocks' that compress the springs to set the tractor against the ground eliminating any gap. When ready to move, simply remove those lock blocks and the assembly is lifted by the caster springs and is easily rolled across the lawn.  I miscalculated some clearance needed for the wheels to mount to the frame, and temporary cut up some scrap 2x4 to mount them; I will revisit and replace those blocks with something a little more weather proof in future.

The tractor is attached to the main coop by a cheap polyester play tunnel. This was the easiest solution to allow a full range of motion while keeping the chickens contained. I designed and printed small clamps that holds the tunnel to the tractor/coop. It reaches out about 6ft from the coop. Now this tunnel doesn't provide protection against predators, obviously it's easy to just chew through. However our girls only use this tractor when we are home, and at night the tunnel is closed up. The tunnel has lasted most of the summer, but is starting to wear and tear in some areas, so I may to buy one made from a better material or come up with a different solution.