Chicken Tractor Plans Allow Free Range Chickens A Little Diversity

What are chicken tractor plans? Well, they are not little race tracks where your chickens get in their soap box tractor and motor down the tracks, competing for the golden egg. Chicken tractor plans are, however, for chickens on the go. Mobile chickens who like a little diversity and time away from the coop.

Chicken tractor plans do not take the place of chicken coops, but many chicken farmers are interested in chicken tractor plans when focusing on with free-range chickens. Free-range chickens can cluck and run amuck as they choose on your property, helping to fertilize your lawn while they run and play in the A-frame shaped tractor.

This would be of course in an area where you have no danger of predators and your backyard is set up to accommodate free-range chickens who, if they do venture out under your supervision, just might like to check back in to the Tractor Motel now and then to get out of the rain. They do not like getting wet! That is another reason why chicken tractor plans are so economical for free-range chicks. A quick duck out of a sun shower and after it passes they are back at play in no time, fresh rain at their beaks’ reach.

Here are some key advantages of chicken tractor plans:

·   Reasonable protection from predators (daytime only; never leave your chickens in the chicken tractor overnight)
·   Safe place to lay their eggs
·   Decreases the amount of food you have to buy (This is done by moving the tractor around after the chickens have foraged out the first location)
·   No floors to clean
·   Plenty of chicken manure for compost

Many advocates of chicken tractor plans boast that their yards are organically protected from grass-killing weeds and garden damaging-bugs yearlong, simply by moving the chicken tractor around from one area to another. (A lot of folks opt to go for chicken tractor plans with wheels as they are a little easier to maneuver.)

Your chickens are ready-made, voluntary gardeners. Their sharp claws continuously cultivate the soil. The more green the chickens eat, the healthier they are, and the better the eggs!

Here are some tips if you are interested in looking at chicken tractor plans; these should help you make your decision:

·    Wire mesh squares must be 15 mm at the largest. Anything smaller puts your chicks in danger of predators. (Even a rat is a predator and can slip through the tiniest of places!)
·   Speaking of rodents, the base of the A-frame must be buried 30 inches below the surface. Rats can dig and are determined little varmints.
·   The chicken tractor should be well-ventilated but the chickens but not windy! (You want their feet on the ground.)
·   Roosting poles should be provided as these mark sleeping quarters for the chickens.
·   Place one nesting box per five chickens in a corner (not in the sunlight) about 6 inches from the ground. (Don’t leave the nesting box overnight in the tractor either.)
·   Don’t make your chickens pray for rain; leave them some fresh water, even if they are foraging for food.

Ready to get on trac? You are one click away (see below) from chicken tractor plans of all kinds; one of which will suit your purpose! Good luck!

And don't forget to sign up for my free 7-part course on Building a Great Chicken Coop.