Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
#4634960
09/05/14 07:06 PM
09/05/14 07:06 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,404 NC
bowhunter27295
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,404
NC
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I have told a few people I would post the results of my research about "chicken tractors" and what the final product looks like. Many, many thanks go to several people and a great friend who helped me brainstorm and assemble. Without his help and "push", this would have still been on the drawing board. A special thanks goes to Patrice. She LOVES chickens and was a wealth of knowledge, help and inspiration. Hats off to you Patrice. Here we go. This is the finished product. My daughter's chickens are golden buffs (sex link). They are a RIW male and RIR female cross. 4 lb adults with 250 eggs/year. The frame is 2 inch angle in a 8' X 8"5" box. The door is the same angle framed in and welded with hinges welded on. The door "knobs" are quick links installed through holes drilled in the door and door frame. The coop hoop is 2 panels of livestock panel bought from tractor supply. The entire coop is covered over with chicken wire zip tied in place at all cross points and where else needed. It took about 800. No kidding. The front and back were welded on with another 2 pieces of livestock panel cut to fit. It was then covered with a tarp. I had to use a rather large tarp to cover it down to about 1 foot off the ground for cover and to allow for air flow. This is the reinforcing angle at each corner. This is a 5/8" bolt welded on as an axle for the wheels that are put on the back when the coop is moved. Ensure your wheels have a 5/8" arbor. These are the wheels I use. Bought at Harbor Freight. This is the tongue welded onto the front of the coop for the dolly used to lift the front of the coop to roll the tractor. This is the wheel mounted to the axle and how it fits. This is the nest box bought from craigslist from a chicken house operation being upgraded. Got it for $10. Mounted 1/2" treated plywood to the back of it and mounted it to the coop frame with stainless S hooks. This is the fence. It is a solar charger grounded to the coop. The fence is stood off the coop via 2 ft sections of rebar welded to the frame and installed on plastic, electric fence standoffs. You can touch the coop, no problem. You can touch the fence and get a tickle. Touch both and you get 5500 yellow jackets pounding your hand. It is four strand with the top two strands having a disconnect on opposite sides at the door to minimize a possible ladder for "ricky" or "opie". We move the coop about every three days. This gives the chickens fresh bugs, grass and weeds and cleans and fertilizes the yard 8 sq feet at a time. It's pretty neat and the chickens are very content. Five chicken and we are getting 4-5 eggs/day. I never knew they were so social. Neat animals. I know it looks like overkill but I wanted to do something that will keep my daughter from crying when she finds one of her chickens dead. I know it looks heavy, but it's really not that bad. I am up for any critique to make this a better coop so if you see an improvement that can be made, please sound off. Here's some pics of the ladies and their food and water dispenser. I drilled a 1/8" hole on the top of the water bowl to hang it from the inside of the coop. I hung the feeder and waterer with fence wire. It's been great for my daughter as she has to get up at 5:45 every morning to take care of HER chickens. I told her when we got them it was up to her whether they live or die. She has really taken ownership of her livestock and I am proud of her. We are feeding them a mix of laying mash, starter (leftover) and a dash of oyster shell. We have raised them from chicks. We bought them April 5th. I suggested buying five as I figured one would die. Well, with the way she takes care of them, that didn't happen. I'm glad now. I've been eating lots of eggs. I LOVE hen fruit. Hope you enjoyed and I hope this helps someone else. If you have questions, feel free to pm me.
How many lies will people believe before they realize their own idiocy?
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4634997
09/05/14 07:28 PM
09/05/14 07:28 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 163 North Michigan
ejf
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 163
North Michigan
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Looks great, however them zip ties ain't going to last you, they will UV out in a year, you better get some large hog rings and replace them before you have to do the whole thing.
Happy Chicks are great dinners !! They are the outdoor UV grade zip ties. I have no idea how long they will last but I bought outdoor grade in hopes it would last a while. Are the UV zip ties not very sturdy? UV zip ties last a long time ....
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4635031
09/05/14 07:54 PM
09/05/14 07:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837 Magna, Utah
GritGuy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Magna, Utah
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We made a bird cage at my work for the boss, he love guineas and chuckers, first year used the Non UV zip's and by the end of the next spring we had to replace them, maybe you got a better brand.
We just ended up using the hog rings, thats why I suggested them, as the zips failed so badly, did not want you having un-wanted visitors in your pen is all !
Sorry if my opinions or replies offend you, they are not meant to !
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4635097
09/05/14 08:34 PM
09/05/14 08:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,986 Shenandoah County, VA
l1ranger
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,986
Shenandoah County, VA
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looks good, solid and sturdy.
I built one this spring. thought about the tractor, but opted for a wood shed instead. they have a fenced in area right now to keep them out of the garden, but I will free range them soon. always lock them up tight at night.
Josh
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4635160
09/05/14 09:19 PM
09/05/14 09:19 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,146 NC
Buzzard
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,146
NC
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4635752
09/06/14 10:07 AM
09/06/14 10:07 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,475 WI>>>MN >>>WI
T-Rex
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,475
WI>>>MN >>>WI
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I don't know if the UV zip ties will last or not. After my regular ones failed I started using trapping wire. A $5.00 wire twister used for positioning rebar in concrete makes it quick, cheap, and durable.
Man who mistake shillelagh for fairy wand; see pixie dust, also.
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4635764
09/06/14 10:17 AM
09/06/14 10:17 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 607 NC
Ray B
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 607
NC
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I cleaned this one up so the trappers wanting to learn how to do something productive can. Tom Thanks Tom!!!!
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: ghulst]
#4636155
09/06/14 04:43 PM
09/06/14 04:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165 Central NC
traprjohn
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
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I don't see a roosting pole. You do need one that is higher THAN the nests. x2 Darien.....poles are a very good thing......the only other thing I don't see is the access panel to get eggs from the rear. You may have seen this when researching and vetoed the idea...yes a lil more time/labor. But on those Sunday mornings when everyone has overslept it sure makes egg grabbin' fast. I sure hope your bringing it to Convention to do a demo! Nice job!
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4636855
09/07/14 09:12 AM
09/07/14 09:12 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 848 Michigan
coonlove
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 848
Michigan
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All I can say is WOW. If my chickens even SEE that penthouse-they will go on strike! Just yesterday a cooper's hawk made off with one of the "slow learners" hatched this year.....Made a believer out of the rest.
"I'm the paterfamilias"
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4636885
09/07/14 09:39 AM
09/07/14 09:39 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 162 Rochester MN-ish
Dawgcatcher
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 162
Rochester MN-ish
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That's very cool ! If we had a milder climate, I would be all over a tractor-type enclosure. As it is now, we have a 6-foot chain link surrounding about 2/3 of our 3/4 acre property, so we get up every morning and open a small door for them to free range all day while we are at work.
Then they proceed to poop all over the back steps, and deck requiring a daily hose-down to keep things clean
Very nice job !
PS: I cannot believe there was bickering on this thread,,,,,, (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) ?
Whatsamatta boy? Don't you like clowns ?
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4636892
09/07/14 09:44 AM
09/07/14 09:44 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 148 Wyoming, Illinois
The Savage
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 148
Wyoming, Illinois
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pretty cool...but I think I would have used wire instead of zips, but like you said nothing is getting in or out
My friends call me "The Savage"
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4637092
09/07/14 01:06 PM
09/07/14 01:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,792 Sauk County, WI
Patrice
"TMan Feed Gestapo "
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"TMan Feed Gestapo "
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,792
Sauk County, WI
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Just catching up after the Wisconsin convention and Trapperman Feed ... Wow, Bowhunter! That is one fine chicken tractor! Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap (That's the girls approving.) That is beautiful. They have to be loving the new sprouts and bugs and patch to explore every few days! If you're looking for a roost for them, I might make a couple of suggestions too. First, I agree with the suggestion about the height. They usually like to roost for the night on the highest (within reason) roost, so if you hang a roost a little higher than the perches on the nest boxes, that should keep them away from pooping on the boxes at night. Second, use either dimensional lumber with the biggest flat side up, or a tree branch a few inches in diameter or more for your roosts. Although their feet are beautiful and look wickedly strong, they are really, really weak and it's hard for them to hang onto anything smooth and cylindrical. If you use lumber or irregular wood, they can rest a little easier! Beautiful! Just beautiful! Thanks for posting!
WTA District 9 Director ... Go D9! Member: WTA, Intertel, Mensa (Trappers ain't stupid.) Life Member: NRA
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4638574
09/08/14 04:36 PM
09/08/14 04:36 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,460 havelock, NC
Rye
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,460
havelock, NC
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They are crappin in the layin' boxes because thats where they are sleeping. They should sleep on a roost pole, and lay in the egg boxes..
It's a nice house for sure, but I'd not call it a winter house by any means.. cold winds will rip right through it. They need something that is wind/rain proof to get out of the weather. They can be wet, they can be cold, but can't be cold and wet. Just what I've read..
Need a rooster?
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing; it was here first. " --Mark Twain.
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4638698
09/08/14 06:25 PM
09/08/14 06:25 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,441 Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
Sharon
"American Honey"
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"American Honey"
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,441
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
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I just saw this fantastic thread. What a wonderful job you did for the wee ones! Patrice is exactly correct about the roosts. I use wide flat shelves for years they all my guys and gals love. When they're older or gimpy they can just list over to one side all night like a grounded ship. You're very kind. Not only to those helpless who are in your charge but to your daughter and her happiness at seeing them well. Its not only herself that cries when something happens to one of them-there are grown ups that also feel the same towards their feathered ones. Ive sure enjoyed seeing the attention to detail and care you've gone to in the building of that fine tractor. Tis mighty.
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4644551
09/12/14 02:08 PM
09/12/14 02:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,460 havelock, NC
Rye
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,460
havelock, NC
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Given how you've built it I am not sure.. I'd consider backing it up against a coop. The tarps/plastic might work. I'm cautious when it comes to plastic and long term... it just never lasts...
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing; it was here first. " --Mark Twain.
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Re: Chicken Alcatraz..nobody gets in...nobody gets out
[Re: bowhunter27295]
#4747699
11/17/14 01:47 PM
11/17/14 01:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,082 NY
SnareLine
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,082
NY
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Spot lights for night time? Do they make solar DC motion spotlights? Daddy like this idea. Just noticed that part... I would be reluctant to buy any of the solar powered battery charging ones...they usually stop working after a couple of weeks, for whatever reason, including the more expensive ones. But I haven't tried all of the ones out there, or course, so some members may know of really good ones!
Hiding our humane dispatches doesn't keep the Antis from showing their own gruesome ones. In this 1 sided story, who will the public believe, then?
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