180 degree turn with chicken tractors

You cannot always plan on nature or you just may run out of field. Sometimes you have to take your chicken tractors for a big ride. This went really well and wasn't that hard to pull off.

Chicken tractor plans at:

I don't usually do this as I say in the video. When I have to it's good to have the grass about 6 inches high, the birds about 4-6 weeks old, and after a good nights rest. Moving chicken tractors is a daily occurrance on farm.

[OhHhugo]

I bought your plans and built one.  It's awesome.  Light, sturdy and secure.  Thanks for that.

[davebusby]

We've been raising our meat birds for the past five years using pens based on Joel Salatin's model (ours are scaled down versions) and grow over 1200 birds a season. 2016 was a hard year for us because of predators (raccoons, skunks, possums, and one determined fox). I purchased your book and am now finishing my first tractor using your plans. You did an excellent job explaining everything in the book, step by step, and with humor, too. I'm looking forward to using our new tractors!One suggestion about the plans. On the back wall of the tractor your videos show a 2"x4" about 3 foot high that you have your water bucket attached to. I am extending that 2"x4" to about 6' and fastening the rear conduit to it for added support. Just a thought.Your videos are terrific. Keeping them short, packed with information, and your infectious enthusiasm make them a pleasure to watch. We at DL Farms in Missouri salute you!

[eltee]

Thanks John... I am in South Florida so, winter is not an issue for me. ;-)

[mikesager]

When I ran my chicken tractor, I put a string of jingle bells on the bucket I used for feed. In the morning when I went to feed them they heard the bells and crowded to the front of the tractor, mine was pull type design. That way they did not get left behind. It was a large fenced back yard, so if they got out, my dog herded them back to the tractor.

I moved mine at least once a day, twice a day in dry weather, but I did allow my grass to get that high, chickens did most the work.

Second suggestion, a good dog, may I suggest an Australian shepherd, rounds up chickens for you.

[dustinarnett]

I just bought your plans on Amazon, but won't receive them until tomorrow. What are the tire dimensions?? Northern Tool has them on sale, but the sale ends tonight!!

[brucetrumbower]

Im planning on building a chicken tractor this summer and starting with 30 birds next year. My grass is a mix of native warm season grasses (Switchgrass and Big Blue Stem) which i will be able to manage with a mower to attain proper height. Do you know if chickens will eat this grass when green? Bruce

[russellraposa]

have you tried using a piece of pvc or dowel at the back of your chicken tractor as a herding bar to keep the dumb ones ahead of the back brace on the tractor. I saw it on a video from another person and thought about implementing it . on my chickshaw/tractor after one dumb bird got up under the back bar and wouldnt move while i was alone and could put it down, or crush the bird, yet it still wouldn't move . I had to jam a shoe under the tractor on both sides and retrieve the bird in my socks .

[eltee]

I bought your chicken tractor plan a while back but, have not built my tractor yet. I will build it soon though... Can the plan be used for egg layers? I don't plan on moving it at all. I just like the simplicity of the plan and I am sure I can build a couple of nesting boxes and modify the tractor to accommodate the hens. Does this sound doable?

[marycain]

John - the link to download the plans isn't working. How can i get it?

[jkluss]

Bought your plans. 2 things. What size tarp? And need to print this at work but can't send it to my email or bring in thump drive. How can I do that?

[greetabbink]

My chickens have a very large pasture with grass, I do not use a chicken tractor. I'm just wondering how much I should feed them with grain or chickenfood ... Or would the pasture alone be enough for them? I have Amrock chickens for eggs (only for ourselves) and some chickens for meat (for ourselves).

[thebigdude]

do you buy feed in bulk? if so, is it online? i cant find any bulk feed distributers in my area.

[jackmack]

how often do you move them?  less as the get older?  great videos