Chicken Tractors For Old People - AMA S5:E2

How the Suscovich chicken tractor design can be modified to accommodate someone who is a little older.
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[@thomaspopke6009]

John. I just have to give you a huge thank you. I own Opia Farm and we are on our 4th year of chickens. I raised chickens in the past for meat. Changing to adapt to pastured poultry was a fun and amazing adventure thanks to you and your channel. You are so well spoken and your videos are so helpful. My family and I hope to come down to your farm this summer to visit. Camp Roads Farm here we come.

[@jkprops]

Just because you are young does not mean you have to work harder, try working smarter with a good full time wheel design so that when you do get older you can still do the work and not having back problems.

[@bradpayn8058]

I'm one of them old folks too, and maybe just a little lazy too. But to be fair, my chicken tractor is quite a bit heavier than yours is. It started out like one of yours, but then I added a small coop inside of it to the back half. It's just 3/8" plywood "D" shaped pieces at the back and center, a 1/2" hardware cloth floor 2' off the ground, and fiberglass roofing panels around the outside, on a two cattle panel hoop. Then there's a pretty light and short ramp, and a couple of light nest boxes, straw, a roost, etc. I was keeping in mind to try to keep it light, but kept adding a few things in spite of myself, lol. Oh two little solar lights too, a motion one by the door, and one like a jar with the solar light lid on the roof, and the jar part in the coop - it usually runs to midnight or so in the winter. I'm kind of tuff for an old guy and could move it by myself if I had to, but didn't enjoy it. Two people could move it pretty easy, but I don't have help all the time. Then one day I had a bright idea; the front wasn't so heavy to lift, it just sucked lifting and pulling at the same time. The back, where the coop is, is heavier. It wasn't too bad to lift one corner to put on a wheel, then the other, but I also found it much simpler to move the whole tractor in the morning before I let the chickens out of the coop part - no chicken feet to worry about if they were still shut up stairs. However, that made it all 12 hens and a rooster heavier too. The easy solution that I figured out was a two pneumatic wheeled dolly. I saw one on sale at HF for $29 and decided to give it a try. It works great, I stick it under the back and it works like a five foot long crowbar, I push the top of the dolly all the way to the ground, and it lifts and holds that end up while I put on two larger wheelbarrow wheels. (Chickens could get out under here, but they are still shut in upstairs). Then I take the dolly to the other end and stick it in the middle under the walk in door, lean it back to lift, then pull. I only have the one tractor, but even with several, like John has, one dolly would do, even on those smaller wheels in back. Also this dolly is sweet when I haul feed bags around, take out the trash, and I put a five gallon bucket of water, and a partial five gallon bucket of feed/grain mix (with lids) when I walk out to where the chickens are. Usually I'm just moving a few feet, and the dolly works fine, especially downhill, but occasionally, I have to move it all the way back to the high end of the pasture - then I have two eye bolts and a length of chain short enough that a loop of it holds the front of the tractor 8" off the ground while looped over the ball of my SUV, this is when it's especially nice to have the flock still shut in their 2nd story coop.

[@pauliexcluded1]

YOU are John Suscovich? Man I had a picture in my brain and it was a LOT older than you! Love your tractor plans. They were SO useful. I will be buying your other books as well.

[@farmmarketing]

That’s funny. I wonder why I was so much older in your brain.

[@pauliexcluded1]

@@farmmarketing wisdom....you are the sage elder teaching all of us young folks (44 here) the ways of the master chicken raiser. 🤣.... But seriously you are kinda THE name, or at least one of the two, that comes up when discussing chicken tractors! You did a thing and are kinda famous, if you didn't notice. Haha🙌 Also I am in denial regarding just how old I have gotten....

[@waltobringer2928]

Hi John! I've been gone for too long and it's great to be back!

[@bhavens9149]

John, I always wondered if you could put on Tires like a mower that raise and lower? rather than taking them off and on???

[@ahandmadehomestead]

The lifting is what trips me up as well. My husband put larger wheels (from my daughters old 12" bike!) on the back but you have to lift it really high in the front to get it to sit on them and roll. Since he is 6'4" its no problem for him, I am only 5'6 and it's quite challenging for me. I am the one who moves it every day, so my daughter and I came up with our own solution. We use two dolly's. One in front, one in back. It takes two of us, but is so much easier now. If I were on completely smooth ground it wouldn't be a problem, and our yard is actually pretty flat, but it still doesn't seem to want to go over little humps. I'm sure it is because of our wheel placement, and am hoping to get a better one person solution this year. Our chicks are currently in the brooder! Woohoo!

[@mar91942]

I've got a bad back and did the same thing. Works great!

[@pnbwelch]

We actually have 8 axles on ours so we can move the tractors forward/backward then switch wheels to other axles for left/right direction. This is super great for using the tractor in tight spaces like lawns.

[@rickayers3150]

Great chicken tractor, need to make 3 more this year. Love em.

[@GoldShawFarm]

Legendary title, dude!

[@maxbouchard2241]

didnt know i would see you here

[@michaelargenta3856]

You can use toboggan skies .

[@momolpet]

I have a slope and I am old so I use the John Deere tractor to move it. LOL

[@MrSanteeclaus]

Mo Peterson I had to buy a tractor to move my first chicken tractor. I pull it with my jeep

[@marianellaramirez201]

@Mo Peterson This is just superb, I been tryin to find out about "building a chicken coop" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Machaaldity Coop Blaster - (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? Ive heard some incredible things about it and my partner got amazing results with it.

[@richjageman3976]

I found that having wheels on the front corners and a dolly in the back I can then push the tractor forward which is easier for me than dragging it backwards.

[@fatladyfarmer2025]

Currently I don't have any trouble as they are but yes I do wonder when lifting it up to put on the wheels will get to be a problem. So thanks again.

[@patriciacunningham5472]

I found a running stroller and I am going to use the tires from it!

[@mitchelllott]

legit

[@susand2008]

Love it! More farm tips for seniors!

[@jrbailey3208]

Yeah, then there are those of us with blown out knees, multiple herniations in our lumbars and multiple compressions in our necks, and just to top it all off (not including the severe GERD and Diverticulosis of course), Malignant Congestive Heart Failure and Ashthma/COPD!!!! MECHANIZATION, USED of course, shall be my course, as my body will simply NOT let me do all of the stuff most folks take for both normal and granted....as I did when young, and able to pick up my own body weight! Those days are long gone......my motto these days: 'Work SMARTER not harder!' Thanks for the great videos!

[@farmmarketing]

Everything on my farm these days gets moved on a pallet or on wheels if it has to move at all.

[@TheGoodHeart1000]

‘Work SMARTER not harder!”🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 As my grandmother used to say, “Old so fast, smart so slow.” That covers it for me.😊😊😊

[@daveburgess3200]

Hey Josh, can you give me some idea of what your average cost of chickens is and what your cast to process and package to market? You have inspired my wife and I to get started. Thank you in advance.

[@ewellacres]

I have found one of the ways with chicken tractors of doing a four wheel design you could have them slightly raised off the ground however use a locking wheel mechanism so that you can lock it in place and wont roll if something comes along to bump it.

[@norweavernh]

John, can you make it taller so those with back injuries dont have to hunch over and strain the back?

[@allenferry1268]

OLD PEOPLE, I resemble that remark.

[@ronshook5194]

I AM UNANIMOUS IN THAT...!

[@gdawg4ever119]

If you keep a shovel handy it will also work well ... Just shimmy the shovel under the bottom ban a little from a standing position close to the axle area and then when you squat down to put the wheel on , just grab the shovel handle close to the head there and using your upper body weight push it down to the ground and simple slide the wheel on with the other hand. It’s quick and easy and its usually handy to have a shovel close by anyway.

[@davidbyrd5065]

Also have back problems. Thanks for the video.

[@bryanhighley4942]

If you had to purchase all materials at a big box Store how much would this cost?

[@Yeshuaschosen]

Raise your hand if you're here because you're old but want a chicken tractor?! LOl

[@zoeshorthouse7913]

Hand raised

[@theseeker1948]

🤣

[@stevie_jean1953]

Is 33 old? Cuz I want this too! Lol

[@Yeshuaschosen]

@@stevie_jean1953 Hilarious!

[@reneebrown2968]

Hands raised. Both. Hoping I can move it with my wheelchair

[@pseudopetrus]

I saw old people, so I must be in the right place!

[@raymondbradford3230]

Why not use old push mower wheels that are adjustable?

[@Skashoon]

Too small, any pasture with deep grasses, uneven terrain, slopes would hang up. This tractor is suited to flat, even terrain without a lot of grass. I have no machine to pull it, so I’m leaning towards the design by Perma-Pastures Farm here on YT. They call it the Chicken Tractor on Steroids. It also includes a compost making method within the fence. Further, he buys no chicken feed, so this seems to be the way to go. It is an adaptation of Justin Rhodes original design, with significant improvements. Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHeuqHSVqLmDgac

[@joseberrios8171]

I can’t find the 9 inches cart wheel, but 8 and 10 inches instead, which you recommend?

[@marypage3147]

I want a plan to make a chicken tractor to pull with my craftsman lawn mower. How are the chickens safe with wheels?

[@reneebrown2968]

I'm thinking 4 wheels and able to pull by me in my electric wheelchair is an awesome idea. Then at least if it's dry enough to get out in the yard maybe I won't have to ask my sweet neighbor to do it for me. Yay

[@konarain]

2 words into it I hit Subscribe..easy title to share w a laugh..and to hint for help..Glenda needs a helper for 5 minutes.. Good time to ask for a little help.. Alohaa

[@SirBobbyDuncan]

I want to create a chicken tractor with something similar to lawn mower wheels.Because they have different sethings as far as distance from the ground.....also skateboards

[@jeff3olsen]

How about using a winch or come a long?

[@Skashoon]

Not really practical when out on pasture. Generally there would be no anchor point for the other end. It would also be quite tedious and time consuming.

[@nategremore9162]

Inexpensive boat trailer jacks work great!You have to use your ingenuity to put on bigger tires , but its not that hard! I did it and I’m not a very smart man.Crank Em up and roll em! Nggremore

[@pocketchange1951]

New sub,👍❤🇨🇦

[@dafyddlewis89]

4x2 timber can stop cows, use lighter wood.

[@konarain]

Okay, as an old guy and musician in a rainforest..We have a clearing.. My hands would hurt on that rope So a pipe or insultube.. something You can come up with to pad the 'handle'? Awesome Bro.. I have a f.b. net of old Musicians and Young songwriters that need some good old knowledge Mahalo..Alohaz

[@Skashoon]

Try one of those swimming pool floats, the long cylindrical ones. I think it’s called a swimming Noodle. Otherwise, you could use a section of old garden hose.

[@florcedillo7964]

😃

[@Spiritdove64]

I see chicken snakes and racoons eating the birds in those. I use welded wire.. Otherwise I have no eggs or baby chicks..

[@stevie_jean1953]

Or if you have kids that are in charge of moving it!

[@sislertx]

Lazy dog.channel.talks.about a.lifter that.really.really works Im 80 woth a bad bsck and.its.a.mircle.for me

[@roscorude]

Pulling a tractor full of chickens you will need to listen for the distress squawk as a chickens foot or wing or head is under a part of the tractor. These fat assed lazy birds barely move when you pull without wheels, so have a care with wheels! Hear the distress squawk!

[@tedbeverly6052]

roscorude take a 2x2 lad flat side down, across the back of pen. The chicks will jump up on it and ride along.

[@joeyoung3273]

I put 4 inch pic pipes inside the front and back, width. Make it non moving/roller. Now I don't have to worry breaking chicken legs. Up about 2 inch off the ground. It pushes the chickens forward as I move the tractor.

[@roscorude]

@@joeyoung3273 I like the idea, I might give it a whirl. My tractors are small 4x8 I'm usually never in a hurry but I am deaf without my hearing aids, sometimes I go out without them to block out city noise and miss a few squawks.

[@roscorude]

@@tedbeverly6052 my fat birds need to walk I'm not pulling another 40-50 pounds of lazy fat birds! I like the idea though thanks!