Build a PVC Chicken Tractor | Simple & Cheap!

Check out how we built our lightweight, cheap, 10'x10'x2' PVC tractor for our birds! This will allow them to spend time outside the coop on fresh ground, while protecting them from hawks and keeping them from crossing the road.
Check out our favorite chicken feed ⬇️
🔹 bit.ly/chicken...
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// Project Cost Breakdown:
· (18) 10' sticks of 1" PVC: $67
· 2' stick of 1 1/4" PVC: $3
· All furniture fittings, shipped: $66
· (thank a low-functioning USPS for $24 UPS shipping....)
· 50' roll of 2" chicken wire: $27
// TOTAL: $163
🔹 Chicken Coop Build Video: • Pallet Chicken Coop Bu...
🔹 Predator Proof Run Video: • Chicken Run Build | RE...
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ABOUT US: We are Alex and Elaina, a couple in our 20s who are currently living on the 3-acre farm in southern Pennsylvania where Alex grew up. We have a garden, backyard chickens, and build or fix anything that we need to. We still work corporate day jobs, but are working to eventually leave the 9-5 lifestyle in favor of a self-built, debt-free, homestead on 6 acres nearby.
We upload a KZbin video every Saturday night at 7️⃣pm EST, and post daily on Instagram.
COME SAY HI 🙂
Instagram: / masondixonacres
Facebook: / masondixonacres
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting our channel ☺️
#backyardchickens #chickens #raisingchickens

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Treat your girls to the best quality sustainable chicken treats out there! amzn.to/3XNhdyv (affiliate link - thank you!)

[@gcollier2235]

Would have enjoyed your video greatly, however your background music was grounding out your vocals. Music was also too loud making it more difficult To adjust volume. Do you like your simple design for your chicken tractor might suggest some of the fiberglass roofing material plastic sheets as your roofing material

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Whoops sorry! Yep we really like it. If it rains sometimes we will throw a piece of sheet metal on top, but usually we don’t have them in the tractor unless it’s nice out -Alex

[@ljshoreslokal]

I really like your door idea. I'm building my tractor with 2" PVC, I'm not gluing my connections because once I screw the hardware cloth around the perimeter, it will hold everything together. If I ever need to modify anything I can easily remove the cloth and disassemble the connections.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Not sure the cloth will be able to hold all the connections together but doesn't hurt to give it a shot!

[@markholland2795]

How windy does it get there? Do you do anything to weigh it down or is it heavy enough once its completed? We get some strong winds sometimes and i've thought about building this for our grow outs but i'm afraid the wind will just take it

[@joshuamcconnell7918]

What was the total cost of the build? And did you buy the materials before or after the Covid/Biden building material cost-pocalypse inflationary situation we have going on right now?

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Check out the description for cost breakdown, it was $163 total. Everything was bought in early January 2021. PVC has been expensive since last fall due to hurricanes damaging most of the US resin plants in texas on the gulf. Hopefully it’s normalizing but I haven’t checked lately

[@gunselshaly537]

Biden had not been elected as the Democratic nominee for president when prices increased. Educate yourself.

[@gunselshaly537]

God bless the poorly educated.

[@gunselshaly537]

God bless the poorly educated.

[@tazblink]

Come on Man get some new glue. The solvent in the glue is supposed to soften the pvc pipe and the thick ness of the glue fills the gaps and tightens the joint. You really don't need the glue the primer solvent will melt and then solidified the 2 surfaces together but the glue will make it stronger. As far as the hinges bore a hole say 3/8" into the out side of the slipping hinge than go all the way across and drill a small hole for your holding screw into the other side of the hinge and pipe and then counter sink the small hole so the screw will be flush inside. You will be killing 2 birds with one stone, anchoring the hinge to the pipe plus greatly increasing the strength of the weak pvc pipe hinge. It won't matter if you have a couple extra holes in each slipping hinge. Just a thought, I like your design I think I will build one also I have a freaking mile of pvc around here. Thanks for sharing.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Haha yeah I cheaped out on not getting new glue, nothing has broken yet so fingers crossed. Not a bad idea with the countersunk screw. Just would need to find a small enough screw to work with the wall thickness of the pipe, probably would have to do a pair for each hinge. Thanks for the input!

[@melissabowers578]

Your chickens were crossing the road? There’s a joke there somewhere 😂😂😂

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Haha! Hmm never heard of that one. 😄

[@lilliep61]

1:05 starts the project (:

[@chno3157]

So now we all know why the chicken crosses the Road

[@MasonDixonAcres]

😂😅

[@purplethumb7887]

Oh, wow, how adorable are your chickens that went to hide from the hawks! So smart!

[@ethankolodny8654]

Awesome video! I have a bunch of 1" sch40 laying around and was thinking about doing something similar for 25 meat chickens next season; though quite a bit smaller. How is this holding up for you after the year's use?

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Still in great shape overall! The wheels were a bad design, we took them off and just skid it around on grass no problem. One of the figure 8 door hinges broke at the glue joint once, that was an easy fix.

[@MrFakit]

White zip ties aren't UV resistant but you probably know that by now

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Still holding fine!

[@analyticalchick3064]

That's a lie. Home Depot sells elbows and such. I'm building a catio similar to this, but I nanny on a farm and wondered if I can apply the same ideas and and build a chicken tractor with the kids.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

You can't find the specialty 4 and 5 way connectors at big box stores unfortunately

[@analyticalchick3064]

@@MasonDixonAcres I saw them at Home Depot. My husband picked one up and asked me if I need it for my project.

[@markr2297]

Updating the wheels is good idea. I think your idea of using a sled skid plate is a good one.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Haha yes, hindsight is always 20/20. A set of simple skis in place of the wheels should do the trick

[@toddhower8215]

Thank you for sharing your experience.... I was thinking about make some similar and was wondering if it would be light enough to drag around without any wheels. Also wondering how many chickens you plan to put in you tractor.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Since we posted the video, we have moved the tractor around several times. The wheels definitely make it easier! I’ve tried moving it several times by dragging it and it’s pretty difficult and tears up the yard. We currently have 7 chickens that we put in it. The rule of thumb is 3-4 sq. Foot per chicken. So for this design, you’d be able to fit between 25-30 chickens! If you have that many chickens in the tractor I’d recommend moving it every day 🙂

[@toddhower8215]

@@MasonDixonAcres THanks for your reply... I am only allowed 6 chickens on my Micro Suburban homestead and I dont really have a lot of extra room in the back yard so using your 4 Square feet number per bird I wonder if I could build something 4ft x 6ft or maybe 4ftx8ft. I am building a permant coop with a 4ftx12ft run but wondering about something small and portable so they could scratch around on fresh lawn for an afternoon here and there... also love the idea of them eating the grubs and ants in the lawn... Free chicken feed and pest control at the same time... thanks again for sharing your experience!

[@alfilkemper9240]

I like the way you made the hinges & your wheels.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Thanks! Wheels are okay, kinda flimsy so will probably change to skis of some sort eventually. The door hinges have been great. -Alex

[@sheilaprice5945]

How did you attach the chicken wire? I like how you improvise.

[@kh.kompot8634]

good job 🐔

[@DE-vd8sf]

You two are so creative! Thank you for posting.

[@delhatcher8347]

I was wondering about the temperature affecting the glue drying properly. Did it hold up ok ?

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Yep! It's rated for work in cold weather

[@mamasvlog7414]

Nice video friend, pls shoutout, GOD BLESS

[@MasonDixonAcres]

thank you!

[@darylsmith9318]

Cool video. My wife and I are going to build something similar this spring for meat chickens. We’re also in our 20’s working towards FI.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Awesome! We're going to put together some written plans for this one shortly. Best of luck on your FI journey!

[@mohammedgour2623]

Amazing Job you two!!! Don’t mind me plagiarizing 😊

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Thanks, good luck!

[@douggrace5986]

All of your chickens are behind you lol wondering where you are going

[@MasonDixonAcres]

haha gotta love the girls!

[@jmoney6652]

I’m curious how well this has held up over time..?

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Still works great! The only bad design were the wheels, those fell off pretty soon. We just drag it around on the pipes and it slides fine.

[@SpearHead1011]

LoL That Chick Wire costs alot more than $25

[@MasonDixonAcres]

www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-in-x-2-ft-x-50-ft-Poultry-Netting-308411EB/205960872

[@walterbuller9171]

You don't even need PVC primer for pressure fittings. You sure don't need it for framing.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Probably true, doesn’t hurt though! -Alex

[@christinashawgo6510]

You guys are Amazing. Just found your channel.

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Thank you for the kind words!! We hope you find the videos to be helpful 😊

[@kathyhanson7337]

So how do you keep them safe at night? I didn't see a chicken house. Thanks!

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Our girls go back into the coop at night! We have videos on the coop design if you're interested.

[@kathyhanson7337]

Do you have a video on how to get chickens from the tractor to the coop? I'm just starting out & want the tractor but definitely need a secure coop so was wondering how you transfer them. Thanks!

[@kylegagne7162]

How long do you think this will last?

[@MasonDixonAcres]

The only thing that will eventually kill the PVC is brittleness due to sun exposure, but even then it will be 5-10 years and maybe longer since we store it under pine trees in the shade. -Alex

[@CollaborativeDog]

I can't believe no one asked this: Why did the chickens cross the road?😂

[@violetsky2225]

thank you!

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Of course!

[@eddies262]

is 1" pipe strong enough to keep it from flexing out of shape?

[@MasonDixonAcres]

Yep seems to be for the purpose!