Farm & Flock Coop on the Move
Farm & Flock— presented by Chicken Whisperer Magazine ®
naturally, all at the same time.
They’ re great to use for quarantine pens, a hospital area or even for your broody girls to raise their chicks. The possibilities really are endless.
The Downsides
Now on to the biggest con of mobile coops, predator protection!
Predator protection needs depend on location. A backyard coop won’ t need the same type of protection as one in the middle of an open field. Solid wire and sturdy construction will keep birds safe in your yard, whereas a larger space may require electric poultry netting if you choose to let your chickens free range during the day.
I recommend wire skirting either inside the coop or on the outer perimeter to deter any digging pests. No coop, whether stationary or mobile, will be 100 % predator proof, but it’ s always best to protect your poultry where you’ re able.
Choosing( or Building) Your Coop
When it comes to choosing a chicken tractor or a mobile coop, there are many commercial options. As homesteaders who love a good do-it-yourself( DIY) project, we make most of them ourselves to suit our needs.
An important factor in building your own will be constructing a solid frame, which will be key to ensuring your coop can withstand frequent movement. Our infamous homestead“ junk” pile comes into play here as we have all the leftover materials we need to construct one at little to no cost.
My only recommended purchase if you want to DIY your chicken tractor is a chicken coop wheel kit. Skids are also an option if you don’ t want to spend that extra money.
Realistically, no matter which type of mobile coop or chicken tractor you decide to go with, the benefits to the poultry and yourself will far outweigh any negatives. Natural pest control, fertilizer, soil aeration, fresh forage, minimal cleaning and reduced risk of parasites are just a few of the reasons why one can’ t go wrong when considering tractoring your poultry.
22 AcreageLife March 2026 AcreageLife. com