Detachable Chicken Run/Chicken Tractor

In this video I go through the steps to construct the chicken run which will become the chicken tractor as well. This is designed to be detachable so that it can be moved around the yard. The idea here is that the chickens can safely scratch a new area of the yard each day or at least a couple days per week. This helps to keep the chicken run area clean, helps to spread their manure around the yard, and fertilizes the grass. As soon as the entire project is complete a final walkthrough and demonstration will be posted.
For more details and downloadable plans please visit - www.simplesuburbanliving.com/2...
Check out the Simple Suburban Living General Store for products used in the coop construction
- astore.amazon.com/simpsubulivi-20
Visit www.simplesuburbanliving.com for more from the SSL Family

[@charlesjohnson9116]

After building your chicken coop I just finished building the tractor from your plans. Everything worked out fine.

[@dondias9371]

Very nice job but just a suggestion i think when it will rain water will be accumulated because your coop is bit lower than the ground, you would have raised the inner area of the coop so that when it rain's the water will not get accumulated inside the coop.

[@JeffReese79]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I am about to embark on my chicken wrangling journey and I found this extremely helpful!

[@SeanOsborneII]

Man, you videos are all I needed to see to figure myself out. ! With the price of eggs nowadays, I want my own chickens now. It will be a return to sources for me !!! Thanks Man!!!

[@JoshuaVanlandingham]

Love this layout. More than likely, I will copy your coop design but in a 4x8 rather than 4x4 layout. Your videos are great man. Thanks!

[@ipromisemusic]

This is exactly what I am doing right now in 4x8 coop size to match the run would love to see your progress

[@gspencer123]

Exactly what I’m thinking. Won’t do the tractor portion as I’ll have to have buried hardware cloth for predators so it can’t be moveable but live on a couple of acres so can let them out to range. Also will put hardware cloth between the two sets of 2x4s for a cleaner finish. Last modification will be no drawer as I’ll go deep litter method with infrequent clean outs. But dude did an amazing job on this.

[@donnaharrell6794]

Love it. Love the detachable run. Mine is already done and not removable. Looks pretty heavy. But with wheels maybe not bad. I have a small tractor the I use for the babies. Just turn it over and its a tractor. Was given to me. So thankful for your knowledge. Have an awsome evening. Thanks again.

[@sharonwalia4162]

Nice progress on your part and the chickens'. Yay! Laying eggs just in time. I was so excited the first egg we got. We got our three from someone who got them for fun for Easter for their children and they didn't want to keep them and my husband was looking for some and so that worked out well. We got them when they were five or six months old. They were born in February and one was not laying eggs yet. It turned out to be a Easter egg and the other two were already laying me some nice brown or light tan eggs. I might add a few more things on our outdoor home for them that you did. You had some pretty good ideas. Thanks.

[@AntPDC]

A greatly enjoyable and informative video SSL. I keep a few chickens myself, and I must say, when compared with my coop, yours is a Rolls Royce model. I have been rebuked by my own chickens for my lack of ambition ;) Looking forward to seeing the rest of this excellent series.

[@jasonnazworthable]

very informative video! Thanks for the step by step. ...have been watching them from start to finish. Can't wait to build my own :)

[@sickem19]

I just wanted to say thank you very much. Your videos are awesome!! We call it our tv series. Your videos have inspired me to grow and reuse. I built a chicken coop like yours with minor changes. I wouldn’t have been able to do it with out your videos.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Thank YOU so much, glad to hear that!

[@JonTrompeter]

Your videos are really great! Thank you so much for sharing your very useful info. I'm about to attempt to build my first coop as well. This gives me alot more confidence. Keep up the good work your entire coop looks awesome!

[@RyanCook0608]

so cute ur young daughter putting wood in her baby pram. that was funny. NICE work on the Chicken house & run. Your vids and channel is great ... thanks!

[@toddhower8215]

thanks for sharing this. We are in the process of building a coop following your design. Hen house is done now I am working on the run.

[@gablez73]

muchisimas gracias por compartirnos tu gran trabajo. Tambien hare lo mismo en mi casa.

[@brendadoherty3060]

Very nice 👍🏻 love the egg entrance to outside of house.

[@johnjamesbrown185]

Exquisitely beautiful, thanks JJB

[@SSLFamilyDad]

It has been working pretty well so far, thanks for watching!!

[@strx.artventure]

great job, I'm patiently waiting to see it mobile!

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Feeder is next then the wheels and hitch. So many projects around here..... thanks for waiting!

[@KayNolte]

thanks. we hope to get chickens this year

[@PRO4XKEV]

Looking good, nice job.

[@beanerschnitzel794]

That looks amazing

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Chickens started laying eggs already so focus has shifted back to the coop. I will be looking for some wheels and getting the detachable run completed soon!

[@joelbecerra822]

Hey SSLFamilyDad, so I've been using your manual to complete the chicken run. 1 day before, we cut the wood according to the plans for the chicken run in the next day when we were going to put the pieces together we saw that many pieces did not fit together, like the back horizontal piece in the middle, the measurements from the middle to the top in the front of the run are different from the ones in the manual, please check the manual and look at the wood sizes because we cut them according to those measurements, and now we have wrong cuts and loss of wood, I am letting you k ow just so no one else makes the same mistake. The chicken coop was perfect it's just the chicken run. I hope you answer and thank you.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

I am looking into this right away, please email me at [e-mail] as well if you get a chance in case I need more specifics, thanks!!

[@joelbecerra822]

Yes, of course, no problem.

[@griffinj7449]

.

[@RideAlongside]

Any updates made to the plans? I want to ensure I am building it correctly. Thanks!

[@benarnold7770]

Excellent job buddy

[@SSLFamilyDad]

I had to re-post this video due to a glitch in the upload. Here is the detachable chicken run that will be mobile soon! chickens go in as soon as the rain stops.......

[@saadbaloch3959]

Very nice work done bro

[@jefflowe8803]

you ever try vinegar to remove rust? works wonders if you let it soak in for about a week

[@benczyrny6523]

Very Nice I Want to make one this spring time

[@Sirmikey22]

Great Chicken coop!

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Thanks, the chickens seem to like it and we love the fresh eggs!

[@cheffsolo7739]

Great job 100% with derail ,and information

[@equanimousawareness]

If you have bears in your area standard staples from a staple gun will pop right out if 🐻 pulls on H cloth. Fence post staples would be a good reinforcement.

[@mikeczerniawski3007]

Why did you use PT for the 2x6s and not the 2x4s that contact ground? How is it holding up? I am building mine now. Got a lot of great ideas from your videos. Great job SSL dad!

[@SSLFamilyDad]

+Mike Czerniawski it was just what i had laying around and what i found in the 70% off bin at home depot. It would always be best to use treated lumber. Send us pics when you get done if you can! Www.facebook.com/simplesuburbanliving

[@hartleyhomesteadmichigan6041]

Very nice!

[@caroljeanscholl7370]

I like this I just don't understand why the tray. I see putting the linoleum with a tile squares down etc And even a strip of wood at the end so nothing spills out. But if you've done the deep bedding especially when it's cold of course you know you're going to be skimming off the top like I'm measuring cup. I'm pretty sure you're probably changed the design a little bit by now. But a squeegee taper thing in the wheelbarrow underneath I think would be so much easier. Other than that I really like it.

[@biggunnar51]

Love the project! I was wondering what size roll of hardware cloth you used? It looks like 36", but I'm just guessing. Thanks for the video!

[@SSLFamilyDad]

+biggunnar51 I am not home to measure it but I am pretty sure that is right. Took two pieces to cover the 6 foot side of the run

[@illetrop79]

Really cool man. Now I just need to buy a house so I can build a chicken coop 😁

[@UnclePorkchop]

Love it! Love your family and your inclusion of God. :)

[@SSLFamilyDad]

UnclePorkchop1 Thanks, we're pretty happy that God included us so why not return the favor:)

[@michaelcarter2774]

I wish i could find a kit made of this quality just not enough hours in the day for me to attempt this build.

[@lancez.3287]

Awesome design.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Thanks!

[@aandrexeldesigns5339]

Thanks for posting! I'm looking to build a coop just like this in my backyard. Quick question, is there a reason you stapled the hardware cloth to the outside of the coop and not from the inside? Inside may have looked a little cleaner but curious if there's a functional reason to staple it outside. Thanks!

[@SSLFamilyDad]

+Aandrexel Designs I guess I just designed it that way so that the frame of the run is on the inside and not the outside. It gives a little more space on the inside that way and also it is stronger from outside forces such as the kids leaning on it from the outside and animals trying to get in etc.

[@Tm19718]

Nice run. Just one piece of advice, buy yourself a Kregg pocket hole jig. You only need a small one for these sorts of projects. Your joints will be much stronger. Screwing into the end grain of a 2x4 is a weak point. Otherwise, nice design. Subbed

[@sunpowerguru3993]

Looks good. One point for future reference.... the diagonals on your door are going the wrong way. Those members want to be in compression to stop the door from sagging. The lowest end should be on the hinge side. As it stands, they are in tension and the screws bear all the weight. This isn't a big deal on a small door like that, but it's something to think about if you ever build a bigger, heavier door somewhere.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

+SunPower Guru you know I think you are right. I can't remember why I put them that way now but I suppose as you said it should be fine for this sized door. Now I need to check my plans to see if I did it wrong in the plans too!

[@sunpowerguru3993]

+SSLFamilyDad well actually, your door will fail... in 10 years, 20 years... eventually. You really need a horizontal piece to divide the door into upper and lower sections. You should use strap hinges that tie the horizontal pieces to the vertical ones. Finally, the diagonal braces should land in these reinforced corners on the hinge side. It's easy to underestimate the long-term effects of the door's weight, especially when it will be going through continuous cycles of dry and wet, hot and cold. Do an image search for "old barn door" and you will see many examples of doors built right (and still working) and those built wrong that have failed. It is just as easy to do it right as to do it wrong. :)

[@dpLms]

How is your run roof holding up? We are considering doing the same thing with the Oneida with no decking boards. Has it held up nicely over time? Thanks!

[@janetmcnutt4994]

How hard would it be to have the back wall of the nesting box to drop down? That way you can do the roof of the nesting box without a hinges. The hinges would be at the bottom of the back wall panel. If you over hang the roof just a little than the rain can't get in the nesting box..

[@johnny_killinitnew6672]

Cool video man how much would you say you invested in total

[@Larry342516]

Do you have a problem with poor drainage? I can't figure out why you dug it down into the ground. Looks like each time it rains it would get very muddy inside the coop. I really like your design of the coop other wise.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

I will have an upcoming video that will show better how the final grade looks inside the run. That is a totally understandable concern however there is one corner of the coop that is at ground level after I added some play sand to the bottom. Whenever it rains any water that gets into the run area drains off to the lowest corner and with the sand added the floor is always pretty dry. Thanks for watching!

[@kat0158]

can you please tell me if you purchased 30" or 36" hardware cloth

[@jennifershipway7547]

Hi, and thanks for providing the instructions for both the coop and run. I'm curious, i have read about putting mesh fencing into the ground to protect the chickens from animals crawling underneath. Do you have any problems with this? Maybe they only come out at night, the animals looking to eat chickens, but what if the animal is still in there in the morning? I'd like to install an automatic door for them. Also, does the coop have to be so tall? Can I modify and make it a little shorter. Or does it need to be that tall for protection of the chickens? Thanks in advance!

[@thomasreto2997]

Nice. I might use this🌈🤙

[@lifesabeach843]

I have another question, you mentioned you raised your chickens from chicks right? How did you care for the chicks? Did you make them a brooder inside the coop? I was thinking about doing something like that. Love Love Love your coop!!!!

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Life's a Beach I would refer you over to the SSLFamilyMom, she was in charge of that operation:) - vide series is here - kzbin.info/aero/PL16TmeU53xiOm8L0_nK74oGgeUfAvs5db. WE raised them inside to keep them warm and then brought them out tot he coop when they were big enough. Thanks for checking it out!

[@typisoha]

Nice job, is that space enough for six chickens?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

typisoha yes, it seems to be just perfect for our six chickens

[@eFISHancy]

How many chickens does this hold and did predators ever get in?

[@conniedelatorre2394]

great job! is it possible to get a list of all the materials you used!? just for this project? I'm going to attend to build one and it would be a great help if i can ask the men in the hardware store exactly what i need! :)

[@najibcasa2745]

This was great, I been tryin to find out about "small chicken coop" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Machaaldity Coop Blaster - (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some incredible things about it and my partner got excellent results with it.

[@s1lentkillas]

connie de la torre 6&

[@litahsr.8226]

No problem by digging predators under the coop?

[@EddieDNYC]

I noticed you went with treated wood... are you worried about the chickens pecking at that chemically treated wood? And how about the deck stain, is that any special no voc paint?

[@lesykkonecky1547]

How much did/would it cost to build that chicken coop?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

+Lesyk Konecky About $400

[@frankdesantis3843]

Why didn't you add any windows to the coop? It's going to be very dark in there in the winter. Also when you move the outside chicken run won't one of the ends be open? Frank Houston,Texas

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Great comment Frank. I actually did add a small window to the back side of the coop for air flow in the summer. I also have solar lights in the coop that come on at night to help guide the chickens in before I shut them in. I did a video here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXrWdKyfZpJsacU where I finished the chicken tractor. Hope that helps answer those questions!!

[@404BOOMER]

What to do about predators digging under the bottom rails to get in?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

+steve elliot n our case we don't have too much issue with that. Plus, they are secure int eh main coop at night anyway so if something gets under the run it cannot get to the chickens anyway.

[@JustcallmeV556]

Is the link to the plans down? I can't get to them 😩

[@JoseGomez-zg3tm]

How much $ did you spend making the build?

[@iamcaseycraig]

Did you just trim the Ondura to size?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

+Casey Craig yes, cut it with circular saw

[@ipromisemusic]

Hey! We have about an acre in the back and will allow our flock to free range few hours a day, how big a flock will this one house comfortably with that in mind? We're in Ontario, Canada

[@ipromisemusic]

I'd like a bigger run tbh but because they will have access to our backyard few hours a day figure it's ok

[@SSLFamilyDad]

We have had 6-10 birds in it. 10 is a bit much so I would say 8 is the max

[@ipromisemusic]

@@SSLFamilyDad how big should it be for 10-12?

[@ipromisemusic]

@@SSLFamilyDad also, how much hardware cloth did you need for the run?

[@garyjonson1872]

SSL = secure socket layer

[@124bucket]

why dig out ground? if you make it mobile?just found your site and sub to it

[@Me-dy8oq]

What was your total cost?

[@deadlymouseflix9249]

how much does it cost?

[@TheXerox45]

how many chickens you rate this can comfortably house?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

I have 6 and it is plenty of room for them, you could probably squeeze in 8 but that is about it. If you want to house more just add 2 feet onto the design's footprint for the main part of the coop and that should allow you to add another 4 or so. Hope that helps, thanks for stopping by!

[@joannag6491]

Hi! Looks like your website has expired. Do you still have the plans for sale for just the extension build? Thanks!

[@R_Arizona]

Dumb question...do the chickens share the box for laying eggs?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

yes, the 6 chickens all share the 3 boxes. I could have done fine with just 2 boxes for 6 birds.

[@watchmartinbastin]

How much to build this?

[@calvinfbrown]

you could put a rain barrel on that and then you could have free water for them.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Agreed, I am looking into doing something like that this year. Thanks for stopping by!

[@mirandaford8693]

Just bought all the lumber. I'm getting started! Looks easy enough.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Glad to hear it, good luck!

[@mirandaford8693]

What was the roof called again? I'm actually trying to build this. ;) How much did you pay for the roof?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

The roofing is Ondura roof panels. They are available at home depot here - tinyurl.com/kqdsb5v. The other items I used are available through Amazon - astore.amazon.com/simpsubulivi-20 (our general store). Please let me know if you have any questions! Thanks for checking it out!

[@mirandaford8693]

SSLFamilyDad Didn't you say in the beginning that there would be another nest box in the run? Is it built in to it, or did you just find another way to put it in there. Almost finished with mine, just have to do the wire around it.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Miranda GALLEGOS I did add wheels, a waterer, and a nesting box in the run when I turned it into the chicken tractor - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXrWdKyfZpJsacU.

[@johnstrobridge2947]

Just curious, how much r u into this project? $$$

[@whatsgrowingon4085]

A little constructive advice. Go back and use hand driven staples. To keep out the raccoons. Those staples you are using are ok for felt paper. But not for the strength you need.

[@MrCbell57]

How many chickens will this pen support?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

6 chickens will fit comfortably

[@dogcreekproject6872]

Sorry for the dumb question, I plan to have six chickens, do three nesting boxes work? Or should I add three more nesting boxes?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

2 or 3 nesting boxes is plenty for 6 chickens

[@dogcreekproject6872]

SSLFamilyDad Thank You, I'm finishing up the wall frames now.

[@genejaytre]

Is this design ok for 8 chickens?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

yes, that would be about max. I have 10 in it right now and it is a bit tight in there:)

[@genejaytre]

SSLFamilyDad great! Because we are in the suburbs and with everything going on my husband bought chicks. So now we just need an inexpensive coop. Thanks for sharing!

[@walterleon6037]

Don't you want to make it predator-proof?

[@theusconstitution1776]

ANYONE😳 I'm ordering the wire for my OWN coupe' d schicken! I would like to use 1 inch vinyl coated chicken wire my wife thinks that we need hardware cloth but the 1 inch holes would be too big? HELP!! ALSO The floor under the run and under the house is open earth? I was thinking that I needed to wrap the floor and chicken wire to keep the thieves out? Replanning to allow these critters to wander around the yard during the day and if that doesn't pan out then I'm going to make a separate PVC chicken tractor to move them around! I would BE HAPPY TO HEAR EXPERIENCE TALK! ANYONE HAVING ADVICE BEFORE I BEGIN IS MUCH APPRECIATED!! I am picking up the materials (FROM THE CULLED BIN) and We are ready to build this thing! MY GIRLS ARE COMING UP ON FOUR WEEKS OLD AND WILL SOON OUT GROW. THEIR CONDO! IT WON'T be long! #SSLTHANKYOUFORTHEEDUCATIONANDTHENUDGEINTOTHECHICKENLIFE😊

[@SSLFamilyDad]

It really depends on your environment and what kind of predators you have there. The chicken wire is easier for say a Raccoon to pull through and they can even reach in and grab chickens. The hardware cloth is a better option but it is much more expensive so it is up to you. Both will work, hardware cloth is better. Good luck!

[@66blacksunshine]

Hell if you're in California you could rent that out for $1,500 a month easy

[@SSLFamilyDad]

+66blacksunshine lol

[@sylvieroy3751]

Too little ... poor chicken 😪

[@mikebarb86]

Please do not follow these plans on his website! Measurements are off and there is no angle measurements. Very disappointed.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Which measurements exactly, have had almost 50 people build this from the plans and you are the first to mention it?

[@jonm9538]

We just built this coop and I am not at all good as a builder and yes it was off because as my son told me I did not square it but regardless it came together and I am totally happy with the way it looks. We used mostly scrap from my sons work. Only thing we bought was siding and hard wear cloth. It is just a chicken coop not a mansion, so this was really a great project. Thanks for throwing this out there. My hens are very happy. Be creative when you build and don't over think and personalize it, make adjustments, LOL. My goodness always someone with a complaint somewhere.

[@TrehanCreekOutdoors]

The chicken tractor is very nice and certainly will be a good place for the chickens to run. However I am baffled as to what is your rationale for building it so tall? Everything above about 3 feet of height is totally wasted materials and adds both more cost and greater weight to the tractor. The chickens have no need for the extra height. There's no need for you to go inside to clean the tractor out. All you have to do is put the chickens in the coop, move the tractor forward, and clean the area.