Best Chicken Tractor For You - PPP#1 S2:E3

[@CathyGoes]

LOL at the "Easy Bake Oven" but that does make a lot of sense. I've wondered about air flow in those small tractors. Especially with that sheet metal roof.

[@ewellacres]

I do like all of the different designs. The key thing to keep in mind is all designs have their merit and do well to fit individual needs.

[@christopherburns8304]

Hi John! I have enjoyed watching your videos over the past couple years! I too have tried out the Salatin style chicken tractors (though not exact) and decided I'd like to go with a slightly different version to meet my preferences. Last year I designed chicken tractors that I consider somewhat of a hybrid between the Salatin and Suscovich styles. I like the wide, low profile of the Salatin style, but I also wanted to be able to cover them with tarps instead of aluminum roofing to reduce the weight. Also, I wanted the ability to get into the shelters easily. On the other hand, I wanted to be able to feed and water from the outside, so I could [hopefully] save time by not going into the shelters. After drawing up some plans and sawing lumber, what I ended with are 8' x 12' chicken tractors that have 2' sides with a triangular top, which puts the peak in the center at 5' tall. I covered them with the UV resistant tarps that you suggested in a previous video. The door is 30" x 5' on the side of the triangular section, which gives access to the feeder and waterer and also allows for entry. The link below shows a picture of the chicken tractors. Thanks again for your videos--keep up the good work! pastureparadisefarm.com/?page_id=56

[@littlewhitedory1]

C.B., thanks for the link to see what you described. I also used J.Suscovich's design and modified it. Unlike your upsizing I downsized mine to accommodate my smaller trailer and smaller suburban 1/3acre yard. I like the design you settled on, especially the entry door, do you have to move a roof tarp to open it or does that section stay uncovered? Edited, I looked back and saw the way you use the tarp!

[@mar91942]

I bought your ebook last week and built my "Suscovich Chicken Tractor" over the last 3 days. I love it! I modified it for my egg layers.

[@caitlinsanderson1171]

I bought the book as well and I'm having trouble figuring out the layout of the door panel. Specifically, how are K, G, and F supposed to line up?

[@dennispinar2103]

Great vid John! I have four Suscovich tractors. 135 birds per run, one ton of feed. So it’s a great combination for me. I do two spring runs and two fall runs. I will also use them as small green houses also.

[@FrugalFarmerChannel]

Great idea on the cross use for greenhouse. Thanks for sharing!

[@NCTuskie]

Great video. I’m planning on making both your design and Joel Salatins design. I’m here in Oklahoma, where both heat and wind are big threats.

[@MakinEmAtNight26]

I enjoy your videos. I really like the pros and cons part and not thinkin yours or someone else’s set up is the one and only way

[@sabrinah6968]

Love your tractors, been using them for several years now. Do you have any suggestions on how to keep from running over chickens while moving the tractor? I'm patient and move them slowly but when they bunch up it can be hard to tell if one gets their leg pulled under or they get rolled until it is too late. I'm thinking of adding some kind of bumper along the inside to help push them along but I'm hoping someone has a tried-and-true method.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thanks, John! and good points on each tractor. I just built a modified version of your chicken tractor for the Texas summer heat for egg layers with roosting bars and roll away nesting box. Looks like it's going to work out great.

[@lisajones9363]

Pete, what are roll away nesting boxes? We are modifying for egg layers as well. Please share anything that has (or has not!) worked!

[@kevind3185]

I run low hoop houses with 8×14 foot print built out of 2×8 and 1" pipe for the hoops.

[@rickayers3150]

Hi john, YES all good points. I use youre design and realy like it. Although i did make a few minor changes. Need to build 3 more this spring. I better get busy

[@mar91942]

You guys made raising chickens a lot of fun!

[@DS-kn4bs]

Built a 8x10 salatin for under 50 bucks. Picking up junk pays off 😁

[@mr.skeptical3071]

Have you experienced any high heat issues with it being so close to the ground?

[@matthewlaitres4760]

Hey john, I'm bought your book and am building one of your tractors to start... just a general pasture question that I cant seem to find an answer to online anywhere.. to keep a healthy pasture how long until you can run a tractor over a piece of ground you have already used?...I have 3 acres to work with and im just trying to figure out how much I could scale this if I went down that path.. thanks!

[@thecalling1.217]

I am about to get my first birds and don’t have any poultry netting so my question is do you have any problems with predators digging under

[@mar91942]

What's your thoughts on putting 4 wheels (all 4 corners) on the chicken tractor? I'm just getting into raising chickens for personal use and don't know a whole lot about how these things work.

[@suzieparis6821]

Sorry..my son is 28 and he built one for me when he was 12...a bottomless chicken coop probably goes way back

[@christinejc7419]

On a rainy day...where do you put them?

[@matthewkirkendall9998]

Hey John I was wondering why no one uses a straight A-frame design, it seems like it would be more simple to build and achieve the same goal?

[@ForgivenBob]

Good question..

[@jillschlegel5129]

Thanks

[@ncrpejxi]

Would pvc pipe instead of wood be cheaper and lighter?

[@thepubliclandnomad3365]

Hey John, Im not hating at all buddy but im just asking when you patent or create this style of chicken tractor? ive been building these same style of tractors for over 10 years. ive been posting pictures and plans of them all over the internet for years for free? I own a company called Elite Poultry started in Northern California. ive been away from chicek s for about 3 years and i see your book and plans for sale. i think the book is cool but selling the plans to a tractor you did not create or invent and then calling it your own just dont seem right. the salatin style tractor was created by joel so saying he created that style could be %99 true but in your case all it is is a refined tractor you have seen before and changed... just creating dialogue. I still thumbs up the video.

[@tbmomsen]

So much anger - you need to forgive your parents :)

[@oldmanmarc9181]

Can your tractor be modified to accommodate ducks as a semi-permanent shelter as opposed to a mobile tractor? A place to get the ducks out of harsher weather or at night? Thanks

[@farmmarketing]

It can, and I have done it. You’ll just want to close it in more. Whether you use a heavy duty tarp, more wood, some sort of sheeting. People have used the Suscovich Chicken Tractor in all kinds of ways I never intended from the start. It’s a good structure to add on to if you need.

[@timfreed7359]

John, thanks for sharing this info. We run eight of your tractors here on our farm. I have modified some with roosting bars and nest boxes that hang on the side for our layers. Wind can be an issue in the Midwest but I found if I keep them side by side and pointed into the wind they do fine. Burntforkfarm.com

[@ThisArdentLife]

How much do they cost to build? How heavy are they? Could a woman or 13 yo boy move them alone?

[@littlewhitedory1]

Hey Farmer John, ever thought about a contest for best version of a Suscovich inspired chicken tractor? There's tons of modified versions all over KZbin, mine looks like this! photos.app.goo.gl/SmGiF9WJ1MudWrM9A Like you I decided to go with a size that would fit on my utility trailer and since I'm only using it for 6-10 chick's as a brooder/coop I made mine 5'X8' and a bit tall for its proportion as I'm 6'3" so a little headroom helps!

[@brianroberts62]

John, Thanks! Awesome. I'm a huge fan and you help me tremendously. quick question- You mentioned 'WIND'...... have you ever had a 'wind problem'' (catastrophic or other) with your design? how much wind are we talking about? As you mentioned, this is a consideration for me. I'm in the midwest, in what can be a pretty windy area. Again- you are much appreciated!!! Keep up the good work. Can't way to try your beer someday.

[@dougmoore7116]

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