A chicken tractor is a mobile, floorless enclosure designed to house poultry while allowing them continuous access to fresh forage. This system is often called a “tractor” because the birds scratch and peck at the ground, loosening the topsoil and consuming insects, much like a plow. Moving the structure daily ensures the flock is always on new grass, which prevents the buildup of parasites and avoids the chickens destroying the ground cover in one spot. The manure they leave behind provides natural fertilization, distributing nitrogen and other nutrients across the pasture. This guide will provide the necessary instructions to construct a functional and secure mobile shelter for your flock.
Design and Sizing Considerations
Before purchasing materials, calculate the proper dimensions of the chicken tractor based on the size of your flock. A minimum space guideline for laying hens is approximately four square feet per bird, while meat birds can manage with two square feet per bird. For instance, a tractor designed to house ten laying hens would require a minimum footprint of 40 square feet.
The two main structural types are the A-frame and the rectangular box design. The A-frame is lightweight and structurally sound, making it easier for one person to move, but the sloped sides offer less vertical space. Conversely, the rectangular box design maximizes interior space but requires more robust framing and is typically heavier. Selecting a primary frame material, such as lightweight PVC, metal conduit, or traditional kiln-dried pine lumber, will directly impact the tractor’s overall weight and mobility.
Essential Materials and Tools List
Building a durable chicken tractor requires materials chosen for longevity and predator resistance. For the frame, you will need treated lumber, such as 2x4s and 2x2s, to resist moisture and rot from ground contact. The enclosure must be covered with half-inch hardware cloth, not standard chicken wire, as the smaller gauge wire provides superior protection against predators. You will also need corrugated plastic or metal sheeting for the weatherproof roofing section, heavy-duty hinges for access doors, and strong latches that cannot be easily manipulated by predators.
The necessary tools for assembly include:
- A circular saw or miter saw for cutting lumber
- A power drill with various bits for driving screws
- A measuring tape for precise cuts
- A heavy-duty staple gun to securely fasten the hardware cloth to the wooden frame
- A level and a square for keeping the frame plumb and square during assembly
Step-by-Step Construction Guide
The construction process begins with assembling the base frame, which is the foundational rectangle that will rest on the ground. Cut the 2×4 lumber to the determined length and width, then join the pieces at the corners using long exterior-grade screws to form a rigid, square base. Next, the vertical uprights and top frame pieces are attached to establish the overall height and shape of the tractor. It is important to pre-drill holes in the lumber before driving screws, especially when using smaller 2×2 pieces, to prevent the wood from splitting.
Once the main skeleton is complete, the entire structure, except for the dedicated shelter area, is wrapped in the half-inch hardware cloth. The wire must be pulled tight and secured every few inches with staples to eliminate slack and prevent predators from pushing through any loose sections.
Within the frame, a segregated, covered area needs to be constructed to provide the flock with protection from the elements, as well as a location for roosting and nesting boxes. This section should include horizontal roosting bars, typically 2x2s with rounded edges, placed high enough for the birds to perch comfortably.
The final element of the enclosure is attaching the weatherproof roofing material over the covered shelter area. Corrugated plastic or metal roofing should be secured directly to the top frame of the shelter section, ensuring a slight slope is created to allow for effective water runoff. Access doors, which are necessary for tending to the birds and collecting eggs, must be framed separately and then attached using the heavy-duty hinges.
Ensuring Mobility and Predator Security
The defining feature of a chicken tractor is its mobility, which requires a system for easy movement. For most mid-sized tractors, attaching a pair of large, solid rubber wheels to one end of the frame works best, mimicking a wheelbarrow design. The axle should be positioned to support the majority of the tractor’s weight when the opposite end is lifted by the handles. Handles or a tow rope should be securely affixed to the front end to provide the leverage needed to lift and pull the structure across the pasture.
Predator security must be addressed with measures beyond simple wire and latches. All seams and corners where the hardware cloth meets the wooden frame should be double-checked and reinforced, as nocturnal predators like raccoons are adept at exploiting small gaps. Instead of using simple hook-and-eye closures, install spring-loaded or slide-bolt latches on all access doors, as these are much more difficult for intelligent animals to open. If the tractor will remain in one location for more than a few days, a skirt of hardware cloth can be laid flat on the ground and secured to the base frame. This horizontal barrier discourages digging predators from tunneling underneath the tractor’s perimeter.