Cheap Chicken Tractor
by LaMar Solarcabin in Outside > Backyard
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Cheap Chicken Tractor
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This my original design for an inexpensive and simple to build Chicken Tractor to house 3-6 large hens or 8-10 Bantams.
I built this chicken tractor out of recycled wood materials and only purchased some wood screws and a 25 foot roll of chicken wire. You can use recycled or new materials.
The tractor is 4' high x 8' long and 4.' wide and is designed so it can be moved by dragging to a new location. This would be a good design for people that just want a few chickens and have a small yard.
Material list:
12) 2x4x8 lumber
3) 4x8 sheets of 1/2 inch plywood or similar material
1) 25 foot roll 48" chicken wire or hardware cloth
1) pound 3 inch screws
1/2) pound 1 inch screws
1) pound small chicken wire staples Hinges if desired
Approximate cost under $50
You can see many more free and low cost plans for cabins, houses on wheels, and homestead projects on my website and over 120 free videos of my off grid cabin on my youtube channel.
Construct the Side Walls
Step 1: Construct the side walls
Side walls are constructed from 2x4 lumber. Attach side braces to bottom and roof brace using 3 inch exterior grade wood screws. The bottom brace is cut at an angle 3 inches from the end so it will slide easier over the ground.
Attach Front Wall Braces
Step 2: Attach Front wall Braces
Braces are attached to the side wall framing using 3 inch screws.
Attach Rear Wall Braces
Step 3: Attach rear wall braces
Attach braces to side wall frame with 3 inch screws
Attach Roof Supports
Step 4: Attach roof supports
Attach roof braces to side wall framing with 3 inch screws.
Attach Pen Box Bottom Braces
Step 5: Attach pen box bottom braces
Side braces attached to side wall frame with 3 inch screws.
Attach rear wall box brace and front box brace with 3 inch screws.
Attach Box Bottom Panel
Step 6: Attach box bottom panel
Pen box is ½ plywood or similar material. Attach box bottom panel to box frame using 1 inch exterior grade wood screws. Corner slots are 3 ½ inch by 1 ½ inches.
Attach Side Wall Panels
Step 7: Attach side wall panels
Attach side wall panels to braces using 1 inch wood screws.
Attach Rear Wall Panel
Step 8: Attach rear wall panel
Attach rear box panel to frame and braces using 1 inch screws.
Attach Front Box
Step 9: Attach front box
Attach the front panel with door cutout to the frame using 1 inch wood screws.
Attach Roof Panel to Coop
Step 10: Attach roof panel to coop
Attach roof panel to frame and braces using 1 inch wood screws.
Attach Roof Door to Pen Using Hinge
Step 11: Attach roof door to pen using hinge
You can make or use recycled or new hinges for the door or just set the panel on top.
Attach Chicken Wire or Hardware Cloth to Pen
Step 12: Attach Chicken wire or hardware cloth to pen
Attach chicken wire using ½ heavy duty staples into the frame and braces. Chicken wire is placed on the inside of the braces and goes to the bottom of the floor braces.
Create a ladder or ramp for chickens to get in and out of the pen door.
Install Nest Boxes and Roost Bar
Step 13: Install nest boxes and roost bar
Roost bar is 2x2 lumber and is placed so chickens can roost off the floor.
That is it for the plans and you can modify the
plans to suit your needs with additional doors in the box and run.
You can see many more free and low cost plans for cabins, houses on wheels, and homestead projects on my website and over 120 free videos of my off grid cabin on my youtube channel.