Building a Chicken Tractor

[CrealCritter]

Best helpper in the world right there!

Children are God's gift to the world, expecually grand children. That smile is something else.

 

[baymule]

This is an X brace I built on the back side of a hoop coop in 2015. I didn't notch the 2x4's, I cut them in half and patched it together. The hoop coop is still in use, hasn't fallen down yet. LOL

 

[CrealCritter]

This is an X brace I built on the back side of a hoop coop in 2015. I didn't notch the 2x4's, I cut them in half and patched it together. The hoop coop is still in use, hasn't fallen down yet. LOL

View attachment 6975

That's some mighty fancy cutting on that back wall radius. We just gotta get you notching instead of scabbing. Once you learn how - it's just as fast and a lot stronger than scabbing will ever be. With notching your using the stength of the wood to your advantage, instead of relying on the strength of chineese fasteners which (bend like twig in wind storm).

Let me look around and see.if I can find some how-to's on notching for you. If you can run a skill saw read a tape measure and pound a nail with a hammer you most definitely have the skill to notch it just overcoming that voice inside your head that says "you can't do that".

Remember it's only wood... so what if you mess up on a cut... Grab another board, correct the mistake from the first board and try again. You do realize boards DO grow on trees - right?

 

[CrealCritter]

Baymule here's a simple little project that illistrates the use of joining construction wood members with grooves and notches for structural integrity by using a skill saw, chisel and hammer. Have a look / read of how the the notches/groves are made and give it a try on some scraps until you get the hang of it.

Once you get the hang of joining wood members with notches. I can show you how to carve with your skill saw, carving with a skill saw is just down right fun and you won't need to use a chisel to clean out your notches any more.

 

[sumi]

Bay, love your little helper!

 

[baymule]

I didn’t get anything done over the weekend. We kept our two little grand daughters and the youngest is cutting molars and felt bad. Plus it was windy and cold. So today I got the decking on and cut one piece of tin. Got a text from DD, would I go pick up the girls, babysitter had to leave. So I did.

Next I need to build them a playhouse.

 

[baymule]

Today we dragged it forward. I drilled 5/8 holes in the 4x4’s, inserted 7/16x6” bolts. We wrapped a chain around the bolts and hooked onto the tractor. DH slowly pulled it while I was on the inside “sweeping” the chickens forward with a broom to keep them from harm. They all wanted to stay in the back corners. LOL

Since I hadn’t done it yet and it’s going to rain, I caulked nail holes in the tin. DH watered in the sheet of poop left behind.

 

[Chic Rustler]

that's one fine chicken tractor. Makes me want one

 

[Chic Rustler]

that's one fine chicken tractor. Makes me want one

 

[CrealCritter]

Not sure that classifies as chicken tractor at least not any chicken tractors I've seen of the internet I think it's a prortable fertilizer factory. Just add Cornish cross and move every day or so.