DIY Chicken Tractor

Here we are at our first year raising meat Birds. Pre covid we ordered 60 Cornish giants from UFA (united farmers of Alberta) 30 for us and 30 for my Father in law.

First we had to build a Chicken Tractor, the purpose of a tractor is essentially to have them free Ranging eating bugs, grass and dirt but with added protection from predators. We move them around the yard twice a day aiding in the best life and diet possible before Butchering.

Earlier this spring I had purchased in bulk 10 hog panels for the best deal. We only have 2 left so we definitely love to use them! Our original idea was to Repurpose a trampoline and just drag it around the yard, but decided it wasn’t the best for predator protection.

We started with a 8×12 frame, screwed them together and slipped in the hog panels. We used fencing nails to hold them in place and a tie wire twister to fasten the panels together

Tie wire twister (aka the squizamaroo)

Next up is the corner braces and door frame. The total height is 6ft high

Corner Braces

Because the birds are so small to start, we had to add the dreaded chicken wire. Added predator protection but mostly to keep the little birds in.

Chicken wire and plywood door frame added. Wheels to go on next.

Don’t forget to add shelter, we added a simple and easy tarp that I can completely cover on rainy days to protect from Monsoon June and open half way on sunny days but provide shade for them.

Fully Covered

We originally had a wheel on the front but it worked better with two on the front and two on the back. The food and water are both strung from the hog panels and just move with the tractor as we pull it.

We winch it around using our Ranger, but you could push it if you had bigger birds that wouldn’t slip out the bottom or wheels on a jack to lift higher and lower.

So far we are loving this system, it’s definitely sturdy enough to last many years and will also double as my new brood box. For more chickens of course 😉

In total we spent about $200.