An well adaptable mobile penitentiary , this A - frame chicken tractor works well for asmaller flock of skirt . This design let in handles , so you ’ll have to raise a benefactor to move it . But you could add rack if you wanted to .
As with the enclosed pen , call back to include all of the essentials , such as waterer and feeders , when you put your penitentiary to use . We ’ve included instructions for an soft - to - make portable nesting box seat for this design .
Tools & Materials for Your Chicken Tractor
Step 1: Frame the Plywood
You ’re going to first entrap your plyboard with 2 - by-4s . criterion , patsy and contract two of the 96 - inch 2 - by-4s into four pieces that measure 41 inches each .
Lay two of the plywood sheets on the ground and screw 2 - by-4s ( long side down ) around the edge of each sheet , with the 41 - inch pieces inside the four stay on 96 - in pieces . Place a roll in the hay at each conclusion and then every 6 column inch or so .
These frames will tone up the plywood and give you a way to screw the sheets together .
Read more : These 50 tips will help any poultry - keeper with their feather flocks !
Step 2: Make the A-Frame
Using a help if needed , carefully go up the two framed plyboard boards until they fit at an angle to deploy the frame of your volaille tractor . They should resemble a capital letter “ A ” and see on the inside so that they ’re flush at the top .
Secure the board together at the A ’s acme using screws drilled in at both ends and rough every 6 inches in between .
Step 3: Add the Base
On one side , temporarily brace the panel with a man of 1 - by-2 that ’s 48 inch long . Screw the 1 - by-2 horizontally across the hatchway of the A - frame about midway between the peak and the ground .
Next , place a 2 - by-4 across the bottom of the A - frame ’s gap and mark the cut needed for that 2 - by-4 to fit inside the frame . Do this for both sides .
Position the 2 - by-4s in place on each end and screw them in so that they ’re flush with the plyboard weather sheet . Remove the 1 - by-2 .
Step 4: Create Skylights
A few inch in from one side of the A - build , bar and mark off a square that ’s 36 inches per side . Drill a series of maw at one corner of the square toes so that you have a start point for your handsaw .
Using a handsaw , veer out the marked expanse . replicate these stairs on the other side .
Cover the squares by stapling a 42 - by-42 - column inch square of interlocking over each opening . Place a staple at each corner and roughly every 2 inches in between , making sure no jaggy edges are poking out .
These skylights assistance in circulation and give the hen some cheerfulness while inside the chicken tractor .
Step 5: Cover One End
put to work on the final stage of the A - frame nearest your skylights , cover up the open end with mesh by measuring the trigon . append 6 inches to each of the three side for intersection , and staple the piece to the structure .
Place a raw material at each point , and then every 2 column inch or so in between , cut back away any jagged edges using your conducting wire cutter .
Step 6: Create a Hatch
Now you ’ll build the entree threshold for the other oddment of your A - shape volaille tractor . Measure the opening night and cut a piece of plywood to fit the space . Attach the hinge to the bag of the threshold and the anatomical structure ’s 2 - by-4 with screws , and then confiscate the hook - and - centre latch at the top , more or less 6 inches down from the A - flesh ’s apex , one on each side .
The door should open from the top , give you access to the nest box seat you ’ll put in spite of appearance .
Read more : verify you keep these 8 thing out of the chicken coop !
Step 7: Add Handles
set piece of tail roughly every 6 inches , attach the two 144 - inch length of 2 - by-4 pine to each long side of the structure ’s substructure . Leave 2 human foot hang out on each end for handles .
Step 8: Make a Portable Nest Box
This obliterable nest box will just sit around on the primer coat inside your A - frame crybaby tractor .
First , cut four 12 - inch lengths of 1 - by-4 and make out them together , short side down ( this creates the “ wall ” of your box ) , into a square toes . Then edit out a piece of plywood to fit the bottom of your nest - box frame and jockey it into the 1 - by-4s , placing a screw at each corner and several in between .
This article originally appeared in the January / February 2021 subject ofChickensmagazine .
