Drstratton - My Backyard Journey Journal

[farmerjan]

I find pulling to be easier than pushing most of the moveable coops I have. Pushing tends to make the "front " dig down into the dirt. Pulling, you are lifting up the end/edge, and then the weight is on the wheels to carry. That is why the "garden way" carts were so popular when they came out. If you have ever seen any videos of the big "chicken tractors" that Joel Salatin had on his Polyface" videos.... they use the equivalent of a "hand cart" like you move a fridge with, slid under the back of the pen, and then pull from the front. This was instead of putting wheels on everything. The pens were like 12x12 or something that they had the broilers in. So there must be something to the "pulling" being easier and better, to be able to move that big of a pen.... and pulling you naturally pick up a little bit.

 

[Baymule]

My chicken tractor doesn’t have wheels. I just pick up one end and do a sweeping motion to scoot the dirty birdies over, then set it down. Then the other end. I swing it over a few times and back, then final sweep and back just a little so I don’t set it down on any.

 

[farmerjan]

@Baymule I have one that doesn't have wheels and I just pick up the one end and move it over and then go to the other end and move it over. With the adult purebreds it isn't any big deal. With the meat birds, it is a bigger deal, they aren't too smart....

 

[drstratton]

I find pulling to be easier than pushing most of the moveable coops I have. Pushing tends to make the "front " dig down into the dirt. Pulling, you are lifting up the end/edge, and then the weight is on the wheels to carry. That is why the "garden way" carts were so popular when they came out. If you have ever seen any videos of the big "chicken tractors" that Joel Salatin had on his Polyface" videos.... they use the equivalent of a "hand cart" like you move a fridge with, slid under the back of the pen, and then pull from the front. This was instead of putting wheels on everything. The pens were like 12x12 or something that they had the broilers in. So there must be something to the "pulling" being easier and better, to be able to move that big of a pen.... and pulling you naturally pick up a little bit.

My chicken tractor doesn’t have wheels. I just pick up one end and do a sweeping motion to scoot the dirty birdies over, then set it down. Then the other end. I swing it over a few times and back, then final sweep and back just a little so I don’t set it down on any.

@Baymule I have one that doesn't have wheels and I just pick up the one end and move it over and then go to the other end and move it over. With the adult purebreds it isn't any big deal. With the meat birds, it is a bigger deal, they aren't too smart....

My husband is going to make a handle so that you can push it or pull it, depending on where we need to go with it!

Here are some pictures of what we added today...the handle will come later!

Full shot with the wheels attached! The wheels are from an old and very dead push mower!

Wheel un-engaged!

Wheel engaged!

I was concerned about the rabbits getting hurt when we move the tractor, so I asked my husband to put a floor in, he didn't think it was needed until he tried to move it and...no injuries, but one escaped. We put larger wire on the bottom so that more grass would poke through! He had a heck of a time trying to put it back down without injuring any. He was also able to catch the escapee, which I'm amazed at because these are wild bunnies that are raised in a colony!
First pic showing the bottom and the 8 rabbits that our friend gave to us!

Pic with the floor he made...he cut off the wrong corner and had to patch it...I think it adds character...lol! We added an old drawer knob to make it easier to put in and remove...we have the same knobs on the small doors for the hutches and the tractor. We shoo all of the rabbits into the larger section, then close the door and add the floor in, then the reverse process...no escapees and no injuries!

We needed a place to store the removable floor and a way to prop the lid open!

Lid Handle!

Close up!

 

[drstratton]

In other news: I moved my 2.5 week old baby Marans to the Chicken Coop!

A video of the meet and greet, I was talking which I don't usually do, I was trying to coax the older chicks in!

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Penny my beautiful Americana (EE) saying hello!

 

[drstratton]

What do you need after a long hard day of working...a nutritious meal!

The progression!

Fresh cut up rabbit!

Frying in the pan! I fried it in bacon grease!

Buttermilk Fried Rabbit Dinner! It was so very good!

 

[Baymule]

That looks like a yummy dinner!

I like the rabbit tractor. Your husband is a much better builder than I am. I am impressed with the wheels and the bar to engage the wheels.

 

[drstratton]

That looks like a yummy dinner!

I like the rabbit tractor. Your husband is a much better builder than I am. I am impressed with the wheels and the bar to engage the wheels.

It was very tasty!

Thank you! He's a much better builder than I am too! He actually got the wheel idea from a YouTube video! It works really well!

 

[thistlebloom]

Your husband does very nice work Rene'. Thanks for sharing all the pics!

maybe I ought to move to Washington; as in State.... since I live too close to DC as it is.....

I think that's an excellent idea! Just make it eastern Washington. The other side of the state is full of screwballs.

 

[drstratton]

Your husband does very nice work Rene'. Thanks for sharing all the pics!

Thank you so much and you're welcome! I love to show off what he builds! I'll share a picture of my house one day!


I think that's an excellent idea! Just make it eastern Washington. The other side of the state is full of screwballs.

Yes, yes it is...