What do arks and tractor have in vernacular ? Not much , unless you put the word “ chicken ” in front of them . Then they ’re the same thing : transferrable poultry shelters that allow you to budge your birds to new grazing ground as needed or desired . Although evenly adaptable for yourlaying flock , wimp tractors are a bang-up way to give broilers the benefits of gratis - range animation while contribute to sustainability .
Elements of an Ark
Thankfully , your own ark can be a passel uncomplicated to build than Noah ’s . Choices forpermaculture - favorable designand material abound , permit an chance to upcycle humbled - price , low - maintenance and sustainable materials . you could find a embarrassment of options for DIY volaille tractor on the web , in powder magazine or in Book . No matter what configuration you locate on — square , rectangle , A - frame or basket — the ideal tractor for broilers should comprise certain basic elements :
Narrow Your Options
In Joel Salatin ’s bookPastured Poultry Profits(Polyface , 1996 ) , he detail his chicken - tractor method acting of housing broilers on a fairly orotund shell . On the other end of the spectrum , many hobby granger just desire to raise their next year ’s meat supply or maintain a small sight of laying hen in a sustainable way . ascertain your own needs and goals , and build accordingly . at long last , the “ proper ” size , shape or purpose is the one that go your exceptional situation the good . Some retainer include :
Materials and Building Basics
Sustainability aside , what you apply to ramp up your wimp tractor is mostly a affair of weight , esthetic , and how well certain building supplies will endure your particular mix of climate and pests . Although wood is eminently recyclable , untreated wood does n’t last very long in some of the moister parts of the state , specially when in contact with the ground . Do n’t hesitate to combine what you have on deal or can win and/or upcycle easily .
You will need:
One pick for a chicken ark coalesce a wooden frame for the base and threshold access , PVC “ hoops ” overlaid with woven telegram , an extra predator - substantiation volaille wire sheathing for the lower 2 foot or so , a tightly stretched tarp over one close for protection , and a door of your selection .
Predators and Escapees
Chickens might not have very large brains , but even broilers , with their reduced mobility , seem to find avenue of escape if they ’re available . build - in wheels or skids can sometimes make a gap that enterprising birds will take vantage of — and if they can get out , vulture can potentially get in . The No . 1 daytime predatory terror is dogs , come after tight by cats , coyotesand foxes . check that the shape rests snugly on the priming and that the tractor weighs enough to resist tipping . Securing a strip of repurposed carpet or inner - tube around the pedestal so that it flares out onto the ground can provide an added deterrent from diggers within and without . This will also help discourage nighttime visit by those same enterprising cats , plus possible racoon , gnawer or possums .
Whether you ’re elevate broiler à la Salatin or just a few for your own Deepfreeze , chicken tractors are a sustainable and low-cost room to go .
Rachael Brugger
