3 Types of Chicken Tractors, Pros and Cons

[@springhollerfarm8668]

being we are getting some baby chicks here for the new farm in a couple weeks, I appreciate seeing the do's and don'ts of these. I am planning a stationary coop and free range this first year, though. Too many other things to get done first... Clearing land and remodeling the house, etc... Might build one or two next spring.

[@erinobrien8408]

Thank you so much! This really helped me today with the tractor I'm building! I live in a predator rich wilderness so I'm going with heavier and sturdier. I have 3 hens and countless: bears, cougars, weasels, eagles, hawks, other raptors, coyotes, bobcats, wolves, Sasquatch...

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

Awesome, glad we could help!

[@ad-rock603]

Thanks a ton. I couldn't believe there are only 52 subs. Your knowledge and helpful way of explaining made me think you might have 52 thousand subs. Thanks again & keep up the great work

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

Thank you! Maybe someday :)

[@raincoast9010]

Great tour, i am impressed with the A-frame that you built long ago.

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

Thank you very much!

[@winkfinkerstien1957]

So I've seen tractors used for raising meat chickens but the girls traditionally are in a coop for egg production. Are there advantages to that strategy or is it simply personal preference? Looking for a pragmatic approach. Thanks. 😎👍🏻🐔🐓

[@danielobriot3116]

What about the wind , will it tip over in a storm . thanks for sharing .fence electric a major plus

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

Only one time did i have an issue with win, and that was with the suschovich design, the way to fix that issue is face the tractor into the wind so it doent catch the wind.

[@spacemanspiffy6596]

Ty best comparison video out yet! I want to try the 3rd one but with steel stud instead of wood.

[@yilungchu1870]

nice review.. Thanks for helping me decide which kind to build one. appreciate it!

[@oguzakyuz472]

Great video. Watched this from Turkey and I think Suscovich design is the best. Having raised chickens before I can attest that ease of access and ease of moving are the most important things. I was wondering though is there any reason for why the A-frame should be so heavy? Wouldn't it be possible to build it from lighter (thinners) strips of wood? In principle it has the same idea as the Suscovich except that Suscovich appears to be built of lighter materials.

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

Yes you could build it with lighter materials, this was just what we had to use so it ended up being a lot heavy than was ideal

[@Troy-Moses]

The a-frame is by far the best from a structural perspective; but the following modifications could improve it, assuming you're using 2x4s: _Only place the a-frames/rafters in the front and back (reduces the weight significantly -- maybe by half) _Introduce a ridge beam _Run the roof planks vertically from the base to the ridge beam -- 1x4 or 1x6 tongue & groove best (this is to stiffen the structure, assuming no metal roof) _Run the purlins/nailers for the mesh horizontally -- can be 2x2 (the mesh will prevent the purlins from sagging, and the purlins will keep the mesh tight) From a random architect...

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

thank you i should try this. The only thing I have a question about is the vertical roof planks. wouldnt that allow more water to shed into the interior?

[@Troy-Moses]

@@simplestrimplefarm2921 If tongue and groove, hardly.

[@Wes1988]

You should post some of your links of the tools that you use

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

Will do!

[@elisacantwell9267]

I’m planning on building an a-frame tractor for my hens I’m getting in may. My father lives locally and has a mill. He’s been advising me to just use his lumber to cut down on the costs but I’m concerned about the ground contact pieces. You’re the first person I’ve seen on here that’s using home milled lumber to build outside structures, thank you!! I’m curious your advice about the ground contact? Should I be using pressure treated for that and also how long are your tractors lasting?? Also what kind of wood are you using, we mostly have pine but can get oak and maybe walnut

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

2 years into the aframe, no issues, now keep in mind my beams touchig the ground are BIG. but also are pine so you shouldnt see an issue, maybe 5 years i will start seeing issues

[@yilungchu1870]

BTW, Do you have heavy snow or cold temp in your area? I am at ON. CA. Winter here is crazy.. any advice for which one holds snow and cold weather better? Thanks for the advice.

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

we had a blizzard this year, and i left the tarp on. the snow doesnt stick to the tarp as the sides as angled enough for it to fall off. That being said i moved the flock into my cat tunnel during that time. We also had more chickens being added. we currently only use a modified sucovich tractor for the layers. both a frames shed the snow.

[@yilungchu1870]

@@simplestrimplefarm2921 Thank you!

[@Papaguena]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ2YZIWpmZt7g8k

[@sjobang]

It may obviously be built both much lighter, smarter and stronger, and if weight is the major problem with it, then an improved A-frame would be my choice for a next tractor. (E.g, the door may be on one of the sloping sides, with nesting and roosting facilitated along - both - vertical sides of the structure. Then one can also make doors, in order to reach the nesting boxes from the outside, thus to use the - vertical - parts of the structure more efficiently. The roosts should be about 3' wide by the way, as chickens prefer to cover their feet at night, and a band made from textile or leather may do just as good a job as a (heavy) wooden plank.) The main question is how much roofing both the chickens and the construction thrives with and, I suppose, that's up to local conditions.

[@timgiles9413]

Great video. I'm thinking about raising meat chickens next year. Question; Do meat birds need/want a roost to get them off the ground at night or when you get a 4 day rain event? Thanks

[@user-vg3yw1ns5j]

They don’t always and if you don’t teach them to roost often times they won’t

[@moneymikegotuvideos312]

Sweet boss

[@Wes1988]

Great video!! Really like some of your ideas We are going to start chickens next year

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tbonemalone392]

We have occasional rat visits. Do you find that rats digging in to steal eggs are ever a problem with the unprotected floor of chicken tractors?

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

when pasture raising and moving daily rats are not a problem as build up of feed in one spot does not happen.

[@davidabberton9]

Thank you for your insights. I aspire to owning a beard such as yours someday😂 You’re inspiring me to upgrade my pallet based temporary structure here on Central Coast NSW Australia.

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

Go for it!

[@Bushehri1]

Like 👍 coz you got a long beard man 🧔 👍 👍 👍 👌

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

awesome :) thanks

[@Bushehri1]

@@simplestrimplefarm2921 subscribed too for your Reply and for the big beard Man 🧔 👍 👌 💛

[@victoriamayes2433]

You are so nice.

[@simplestrimplefarm2921]

I try :P

[@Skeeterweezer]

💯🤜💙🤛💯