Learn how we made our DIY Chicken Tractor for our meat birds. It is a very simple design, you can easily make this in a weekend. This chicken tractor is inspired by the tractors Joel Salatin uses.

Why we chose this DIY Chicken Tractor design

My husband and I have been following along with Joel Salatin’s YouTube videos as well as reading his books. He has a very successful pasture raised farm and has been farming for about 30 years. We think he has a really good idea of how to do things efficiently.

We felt that the chicken tractor he uses works perfectly for meat chickens. It gives them shelter from the rain and shade from the sun but provides an area if they choose to lay in the sun.

This size chicken tractor can fit up to 40 birds. Some people go with 1.5 square feet per chicken and some give 2 square feet per chicken. We decided to go with 2 square feet.

We wanted to give them a bit more space with this being our first batch of meat chickens. We also wanted to keep our options open, so if in the future we wanted to do more then 26 meat chickens, we have that option.

We also like this design because it isn’t tall. You don’t have to worry about it tipping over if we are on a hill side when moving it. Also this breed of bird tends to not roost due to the rapid growth and the larger breast meat. Since they do not roost we have no need to go any higher then 2 feet high.

Tips for making your DIY Chicken Tractor

• I would recommend aluminum roofing if you have the option, since it is much lighter and will make it a lot easier to move your tractor.
• You can customize this to what ever you would like. This seems to work fine for us. Some people make the whole roof into one that can be lifted up on one side and others make only half the roof a door.
• If you decide to make the whole roof the flip up door you will need more 8 foot boards so you can add that on top of your frame.
• Use a Speed Square- this will help make sure that your frame stays square during the building process.
• We were able to keep costs down by using supplies that we had on hand or from family members.
• When moving the chicken tractor you could use a dolly. If you find that it is a bit too heavy or difficult to move, the dolly will give you just a bit of leverage with the wheels to easily move it to a new spot. Just slide under the back end of your chicken tractor and pull on the other side with the rope.

Supplies Needed

For this chicken tractor we used tin roofing so it does add a bit of extra weight to the tractor. I am still able to move it, though I do have some difficulty. We used the metal roofing because it was what we had on hand.

We also had some chicken fencing that we had already, this has 1 inch holes and is 2 feet tall. This was used to wrap the south facing sides. We also used this for the top by overlapping it a bit and then connecting the two together with some metal ties, zip ties would work as well.

• 10 – 8 foot long 2″x4″ boards
• 3 inch screws
• Screw gun
• Miter Saw
• Aluminum or other metal roofing
• Tin snips or cut off wheel with an angle grinder
• Chicken fencing with 1 inch holes and 2 feet tall
• Heavy duty stapler and staples
• Handles
• Eye Hooks
• Heavy duty carabiners
• 12 foot long rope

How to make a DIY Chicken Tractor

Making the Frame

Make your 8 foot by 8 foot frame out of the 2×4 boards.

Attach your 2 foot vertical corner support boards on all four corners then build your second 8 foot by 8 foot frame at the top of the corner support boards.

Add your horizontal corner support boards to each top corner to keep the chicken tractor square.

Put a 2 foot board in the center of each side just to give a bit more support.

Spaced evenly across the top of the frame, add two boards for the roof support.

We then added four boards connecting the two inner roof boards and one of the top frame boards. This adds a bit more support for the roof so it doesn’t sag.

Next the door was framed out. Just like when we added the extra support boards in the previous step we did this to frame out the door. These were just placed a bit further apart then the other boards.

Reinforcing the Frame

At this point you can make the door that fits into the frame and attach it with the hinges. We also added a couple small pieces of the 2×4 boards for the door to rest on when closed.

Add your metal roofing to the top back side and sides of your chicken tractor with the metal roofing screws. We used tin snips to cut the metal to size, you can also use a cut off wheel with an angle grinder.

Cover your sides and remaining roof in chicken fencing and staple it in place very well. This part I would not be stingy on since this is what keeps predators out and the baby chicks in.

Don’t forget your handle on the top side of the door.

The eye hooks were then added on each corner so that we could attach the carabiners, which had the rope tied to them. So when you needed to pull the tractor in a certain direction you can just unhook the carabiner and move it to the appropriate eye hook.

Find more DIY Homestead Projects

• DIY Raised Garden Bed
• Cheap DIY Potato Planters
• DIY Montessori Floor Bed

Show your support and appreciation. If you did this project and found it helpful, give it a 5 star review and leave a comment. Follow me on Instagram @naturalliving.homestead then tag me in a photo of your project! Thank you!

DIY Chicken Tractor

Simple DIY plans to make a mobile chicken coop for your meat birds

Print

Materials

• 10 - 8 foot long 2"x4" boards
• 3 inch screws
• Aluminum or other metal roofing
• Metal roofing screws with a rubber washer
• Chicken fencing with 1 inch holes and 2 feet tall
• Handles
• Eye Hooks
• Heavy duty carabiners
• 12 foot long rope

Tools

• Screw Gun
• Tin Snips or cut off wheel with an angle grinder
• Heavy Duty Stapler and Staples
• Miter Saw

Instructions

MAKING THE FRAME

1. Make your 8 foot by 8 foot frame out of the 2x4 boards.
2. Attach your 2 foot vertical corner support boards on all four corners then build your second 8 foot by 8 foot frame at the top of the corner support boards.
3. Add your horizontal corner support boards to each top corner to keep the chicken tractor square.
4. Put a 2 foot board in the center of each side just to give a bit more support.
5. Spaced evenly across the top of the frame, add two boards for the roof support.
6. We then added four boards connecting the two inner roof boards and one of the top frame boards. This adds a bit more support for the roof so it doesn't sag.
7. Next the door was framed out. Just like when we added the extra support boards in the previous step we did this to frame out the door. These were just placed a bit further apart then the other boards.

REINFORCING THE FRAME

1. At this point you can make the door that fits into the frame and attach it with the hinges. We also added a couple small pieces of the 2x4 boards for the door to rest on when closed.
2. Add your metal roofing to the top back side and sides of your chicken tractor with the metal roofing screws. We used tin snips to cut the metal to size, you can also use a cut off wheel with an angle grinder.
3. Cover your sides and remaining roof in chicken fencing and staple it in place very well. This part I would not be stingy on since this is what keeps predators out and the baby chicks in.
4. Don't forget your handle on the top side of the door.
5. The Eye Hooks were then added on each corner so that we could attach the carabiners, which had the rope tied to them. So when you needed to pull the tractor in a certain direction you can just unhook the carabiner to the appropriate eye hook.

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The post DIY Chicken Tractor Plans appeared first on Natural Living Homestead.

Raising meat chickens is a great way to source your own food. I’ll show you the steps we take along the way to make raising meat chickens easier for you. I will fill you in on the equipment we will be using and why we chose them. Some of these things we will be making ourselves with scrap wood and other things on the homestead to make costs lower.

Raising Meat Chickens: Why we chose to do this

In the current times we are in with meat being rationed at the grocery stores we decided that we just need to make the final push for it. My husband and I have wanted to raise our own chickens for meat for a few years now. We just didn’t feel ready for everything that is involved. We have been doing a lot of research and think we have just about all the tools we will need and decided to give it a go.

Cost is a big factor when choosing to raise our own meat chickens. When you go to the store you can buy an organic chicken for over $20 for a 5 lb bird. I understand that cost is well earned for the company that raised and processed them. Though when it comes down to getting organic fresh chicken, it makes more sense to raise them ourselves. In the end the cost per pound raising them on our homestead costs a lot less then if we were to buy them at the store.

Another factor for raising our own meat chickens is because we know the chickens history. From the time they arrive at 3 days old, to when we process them, we know what they have eaten. We also know what medications they were given, if any. We also know that they will have lived a great life living on fresh green grass and fresh clean air.

Raising Meat Chickens: Preparing for the Chicks

The Brooder

For our brooder we will be re-purposing a metal water trough. This will house them for the first 3 weeks of their life.

We will be keeping them in the house since we don’t have a garage or barn. So they will be inside where I have a dog and 2 cats along with an adventurous 7 month old. Some things will need to be done to keep them safe.

The sides are very high, so my child can’t reach inside. It is also bottom heavy so it will not tip over easily. So we will just need to keep the wires out of the way.

The only other factor is to keep the cats out since the dog is too short. So we will be making a wooden frame that will sit securely around the top rim of the brooder. This will then be covered with garden or chicken fencing. Plastic would be best so you don’t have to worry about sharp metal corners.

Using a metal water trough is great because as most of us know, chicks can be very messy. Spilling water and food and poop galore! So anything that get dumped onto the floor of the brooder stays contained and will be absorbed from the shavings.

If things get wet in there, just sprinkle over some fresh shavings and that will keep the smell away.

Keeping them Warm

To keep them warm we will be using a heat lamp secured in place so that it will not fall to the floor. This will keep the chicks from getting too close to the lamp and keep it away from the shavings so there is no fire hazard. A lot of people use chains. These are good to keep them securely in place and you can easily adjust the height of the lamp.

We plan to switch over a heating plate from Premier1. These are very safe if your concerned about heat lamps. These heating plates mimic a mother hen by hovering close to the floor. It is placed low enough for the chicks to walk under it easily and stay warm. This heating plate has legs that can be adjusted on all four sides. So as your chicks get bigger you can raise the heating plate up.

The only reason we are not starting off using a heating plate is that currently Premier1 is completely out of stock. The demand to raise our own food has grown that much.

Shelter

Since we ordered our chicks my husband and I have been working on their shelter. This tractor was inspired by Joel Salatin’s chicken tractors.

Note: If you haven’t heard of him before I recommend checking out his farm or website Polyface Farm. There are many YouTube Videos he is in as well.

The Chicken Tractor

We decided to build a coop similar to the tractors Joel Salatin uses. We chose this because we are able to keep the chickens on grass 24/7 once they are 3 weeks old. At this point they will have enough adult feathers to be able to go outside and keep themselves warm.

This is and 8 foot square and 2 foot tall chicken coop. It sits directly on the ground so the chickens have full access to grass.

These tractors have a metal roof on about 3/4 of the top then chicken wire on the rest. This way they are able to bask in the sun but be sheltered from the rain and sun. The sides also have metal roofing on what will be the north side of the tractor and two sides. Then the rest of the sides will have chicken wire as well to protect them from predators.

On the top we made a smaller door then what Joel Salatin uses. You just lift it up to put their feed/water in and check on the chickens.

The other great feature of this tractor is that if you attach a rope to one side of the tractor you can move it to a fresh plot of grass every morning.

Now the chicken wire will keep the chickens pretty safe and will discourage most predators. If you want a little more protection you could keep a guard goose around them. They actually do a very good job at scaring off predators.

Another option is to keep the chicken tractor fenced off with electric poultry netting. We prefer the electric netting from Premier1. This will add another barrier that the predator has to go through and it being electrified will deter them.

Feeding

We will be feeding the chicks a commercial starter feed. I plan to soak the feed overnight so they get the most out of it. Soaking the grains breaks down the phytic acid. Which will then make it easier for the chickens to digest and get the most out of their feed. I will then strain off the water which is where the impurities are and feed the strained feed to them.

When giving the chickens their food after soaking you’ll probably want to use some plastic feeding troughs. The metal ones will work but the water in the feed will slowly start to rust your feed trays.

When it comes to feeding Cornish Cross chickens it is recommended to ration their food after a while. This breed can eat too much if not monitored properly. This is where you could have health issues with your chickens. If they eat too much they will gain too much weight. Some things that could happen could be a heart attack, heat stroke and a lack of ability to walk.

It’s recommended to give them free choice chick starter for the first 5 days of their life. Then ration it to 12 hours on 12 hours off. When they are 5 weeks old you will want to switch them over to a grower feed until their processing day.

Processing typically happens around 8-9 weeks of age. At 8 weeks they are typically around 4-5 pounds once processed.

Cornish Cross

We ordered the baby chicks a couple months ago. I had to call around to a few places because most places were already sold out for a couple months. We ended up getting all our chickens from Meyer Hatchery. They were so nice and answered all my questions. At the time of writing this our chicks should arrive in about a week. How exciting! It’s been a while since I’ve raised baby chickens.

Cornish Cross chickens are known for their fast growth. You can hatch, raise and harvest a 4-5 pound chicken in about 8 weeks. That’s crazy fast. This is the breed that most commercial growers use. Though we plan to raise them in a much healthier setting outside.

A lot of people think that this breed is genetically modified (GMO) but the good news is, they are not. I used to think this as well. They are actually two breeds that were chosen for specific traits and bred over time to create this hybrid chicken. From them you will get a fast grow rate, high feed conversion ratio and their meat is high in protein.

Stay tuned

Once the baby chicks arrive and as they grow up I will give you updates on their progress.

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The post Raising Meat Chickens: Getting Ready appeared first on Natural Living Homestead.

This year I have so many potatoes to plant I need some quick and cheap DIY potato planters. So I’ve done some digging (pun intended) and have found 2 ways you can get potatoes growing on your homestead. Let’s dive on in and I’ll show you how!

Back Story of Cheap DIY Potato Planters

I recently got my sweet potato slips in the mail because I was silly and didn’t think to grow my own. Oh well, there’s always next year.

So once they arrived I knew I wouldn’t be able to plant them in a permanent potato box outside. We were still getting some cold nights and I didn’t want to take the chance of them dying.

I actually stumbled upon this idea from Lisa Steele’s website, Fresh Eggs Daily.

This idea is actually more popular then I realized. I love this idea so much I knew I had to share this with everyone.

Benefits of Cheap DIY Potato Planters

This first DIY is great if you have chickens or something of the like. This DIY calls for feed bags. Having ducks and chickens myself, I have plenty of these bags. You could also use empty plastic compost bags or if you use wood pellets to heat your home you can use those bags as well.

These options are great if you need something quick and cheap but the ground isn’t an option, this one works great. This idea will also work great if you only have a small porch or balcony to plant on living in the city.

Lets not forget, they save you money since we are using scrap wood and empty grain bags.

Though, once these bags are filled with soil after a couple months you may not want to move them. I only move them in the early weeks, just to keep my plants safe from the cold weather. After that to you can keep them outside in a nice sunny location.

How to Make Grain Bag DIY Potato Planters

Equipment

• Grain bags or something similar
• Scissors
• Old window screens
• Potting soil or top soil
• Compost
• Straw

First thing, grab your grain bag and fold down the top until your about 12 inches from the bottom.

Next place the bag on a flat surface to flatten out and square off the bottom of the bag.

With your scissors cut 4 to 6 holes in the bottom of the bag that are about 1 inch in diameter.

Now cut a piece of your window screen to fit on the inside bottom of your bag.

Now prep the soil you will be using and add that to your bag. You’ll want to add 4 to 6 inches of soil to the bottom of the bag. I used a mixture of top soil, compost and straw.

Once your soil is in place plant your sweet potatoes. It’s recommended to plant one sweet potato plant per square foot, so I’d plant 1 per bag since each bag is roughly 1 square foot.

Water your plants well until their well established, about 4 days is recommended.

Place your planter in a sunny location and keep adding soil as needed.

As your plant grows you will need more soil to cover up the exposed plant leaving the leaves just visible above the soil.

As your soil gets higher to the top of the bag you will need to unroll it as you go.

Once it’s time to harvest you can either cut down the side of the bag or gently dump out the contents onto a tarp so you can save the soil for next year and it makes for easy clean up.

Tip: If you find that your night temperatures will be below 60 degrees its recommended to not plant your sweet potatoes outside. Since these are in a bag with little soil you can bring them inside until the morning when it warms up.

How to make a Wooden DIY Potato Planter

So for this potato planter we used all scrap wood. Just like when we made our DIY Raised Garden Bed, we used scrap wood that my husband was able to find. We made each tower 2 feet by 2 feet and 40 inches tall. Whatever wood you can find will work, the wood listed below is what we were able to find. I just want to give you an idea of what you can use.

Also, I will be planting regular potatoes in these potato towers but you certainly can plant your sweet potatoes in these as well.

Equipment we Used

• Chop Saw
• Screws
• Screw Gun
• Eight 1×6 boards 2 feet in length (you will need more as you keep adding soil over the season).
• Four 2×2 boards 40 inches in length ( you may not need to add this much soil, but it’s good to have extra if need be).

Note: Depending on the wood you are able to find, you may need to pre-drill if it is something that may splinter easily. My husband recommends using a 1/8th drill bit.

Instructions

Place your 2×2 boards vertically with your 1×6 boards placed horizontally at the bottom.

Screw your 1×6 boards to the bottom outside of your 2×2 boards to make a box.

We added a second layer of 1×6 boards to make it deeper for planting the potato seeds.

I used a mixture of top soil and compost with some straw mixed in.

Prep the soil that you will be using in your potato tower.

Fill your potato tower with soil at least 4 inches deep.

Plant your sweet potato slips in your tower, it’s recommended 1 plant per square foot. So for this you should be able to plant 2 per tower.

Keep your planter in a sunny location and well watered but not over watered.

As your plant grows, add more soil to cover the plant, leaving the leaves visible just above the soil.

When the soil reaches the top of the 1×6 boards add on another 1×6 board to the outside on every side of the tower.

At the end of the season all you need to do is unscrew one side to expose the soil and sweet potatoes. I recommend pulling the soil out onto a tarp to easily save the soil to use it next year and make for easy clean up.

Growing Roots on your Sweet Potato Slips

Update on my sweet potato slips, after having them planted for about 4 days I found that the roots on the slips I had not yet planted were growing very well. This reason is due to them being in a jar of water. Now this being my first year planting sweet potatoes I may have not been watering them well enough, it seemed like I was. Instead I chose to gently remove the slips from the grain bag planter until I can get some good roots on them. I will then plant them outside in the grain bags once it is plenty warm enough.

So my plan for next year will be to grow my own sweet potato slips and place them in a jar of water until it has warmed up enough outside that the night temperatures are at or above 60 degrees.

Stay Tuned for Updates on my Cheap DIY Potato Planters

At the end of the growing season I will update everyone on how my sweet potato planters turned out. I am eager to see how many sweet potatoes I get from each plant.

Being Memorial Weekend this would be a great time to build you own Cheap DIY Potato Planter. In New England this is the recommended time to plant your garden outside. Why not give it a try? You could get some delicious potatoes out of them!

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Do you have any tips for planting potatoes? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Planting!

The post Cheap DIY Potato Planters appeared first on Natural Living Homestead.