On 5/27/2011 10:44 PM, Liz wrote:
> Hi, as I'm trying to figure out what type of chicken coop we'd like, I've come across the information that by using a portable coop, aka tractor, the chickens get all-natural grains and insects in their diet which could provide tastier eggs. My question is, isn't the lack of protection underneath a portable coop a concern for predators? When building their daytime run, I had planned on including some extra protection underground under the fence to protect from digging predators.
The tractor we use for the younger chickens is completely enclosed with
wire. DH used welded dog pen wire for sides, top, and bottom. They
have a "house" made of tin at one end where the food and water
dispensers are. The roosts and nest boxes are also in the house part
and the lid to get eggs is the top of the house. The lid is so heavy I
can hardly lift it so we don't worry about anything trying to get in at
night and we've never had a problem.
The girls put themselves to bed at night and are out in the morning as
early as they like. It has worked great for us. DH hooks his real
tractor to the chicken tractor and lifts one end a little bit and then
pulls it to a new spot. The girls think they're at a new buffet. Lol.
We actually have 2 of these and kept 2 different age groups of chickens
separated. When we moved the Leghorns/Marans into the big coop/yard, we
moved the younger chickens to their tractor because it has the auto
feeder/waterer in it.
Since one is empty I think I need to see what kind of chicks they might
have at the feed store. Grin.
--
Sheryl in South Louisiana
http://quiltingtizzy.wordpress.com/
http://louisianaquiltworks.com/Gardening.htm--- Zone 8b
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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