The Chicken Tractor Palace

The Chicken Tractor project began in July, roughly around the time we got the chicks. We wanted a moveable chicken coop that would keep the chickens safe from predators, but mobile enough so that it could be moved around the yard easily. It also needed to be relatively light but strong, easy to clean, and provide some measure of shelter and warmth in the winter. The finished tractor is 10 feet long by 5 feet wide and 3 1/2 feet high. There is an insulated nesting box at the back, with a lift-up top lid and fold-out doors for cleaning.

Scott found a plan online which he quickly discarded because it just didn't work. The finished product is based on trial and error. And according to Scott, it was the materials that dictated how things went together. 
Almost all of the materials are recycled. The wheelbarrow tires, frame, stainless steel, and Tyvek are all re-purposed. The entire structure is wrapped in diamond mesh to prevent predators from digging underneath.  Purchased materials are pressure-treated wood for the frame, some plywood, hardware, tractor tires, and the diamond mesh, for a total cost of about $300. The chickens 'walk the plank' to get up to the nesting box area. The plank is an old galvanized steel refrigerator rack, covered in children's play foam.

We also bought a large waterer from Buckerfields and found an old feeding can that holds several days' worth of food. The tractor is also wired with a GFCI so we can plug in the waterer when the temperature gets below zero.  The tractor palace will keep them cosy all winter long!