Chicken tractors have become a popular way to house chickens, but are they the right choice for your homestead? As someone who raises egg layers, meat birds, and chicks in two chicken tractors on our property, we’ve learned quite a bit along the way. Today, we’ll share our experience, diving into the pros and cons of using chicken tractors to house poultry. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of whether or not this style of housing is a good fit for your needs.

If you would prefer, you can also watch a video where we discuss some of these things in more detail down below!

 

What is a chicken tractor?

Before we dive in, let’s quickly define what a chicken tractor is. A chicken tractor is essentially a movable coop that allows your chickens to roam fresh grass while being protected from predators. It’s usually designed with wheels to make it easy to move around your property. This gives your flock access to grass, plants, bugs, etc. It basically allows chickens to “free range” while being fully protected from predators!

What are the benefits of using a chicken tractor?

Predator Protection with Free-Range Benefits

One of the biggest advantages of a chicken tractor is that it combines the freedom of free-range poultry with protection from predators. When your chickens are confined to a stationary run or coop, they quickly wear out the grass and soil in that area. But with a chicken tractor, you can move it to fresh grass every day or every few days, giving your birds access to new foraging opportunities. This is especially beneficial for the health of your chickens. They can peck at bugs, eat grass, and get that pastured poultry experience while being safe from aerial predators.

While some might argue that a chicken tractor isn’t fully protected from digging predators, we’ve personally never lost a chicken to a predator in almost 4 years of using these moveable coops. Adding an apron or skirting around the bottom or using electric fencing can provide extra peace of mind if you’re concerned about it!

Easy to Clean and Maintain

As a mom of four young boys, time is precious to me – as I’m sure it is to you! The number one reason we chose chicken tractors for our egg layers is that they’re easy to move and clean. Chickens poop a lot—especially when they’re in the coop overnight. Chicken tractors allow you to simply move the coop forward, spreading out the manure onto fresh grass. This eliminates the need for constant cleaning, making it a huge time-saver. Additionally, this mobility allows you to naturally fertilize your land as the chickens’ droppings act as fertilizer!

Cost-Effective for Flocks of All Sizes

When you compare the cost of a stationary coop and run to that of a chicken tractor, you’ll likely find the latter to be much more budget-friendly, especially if you’re raising a large-sized flock. Building a chicken tractor is relatively inexpensive, especially if you can source materials you already have on your property. It’s a cost-effective solution for housing anywhere from 4 to 40 chickens!

What are some of the downsides to using a chicken tractor?

Might Not Be Best for Small Backyards

If you have a small backyard, you might run into an issue with space. Chicken tractors require a bit of room to move them around. If you’re only working with a small plot of land, you might find yourself only able to move the tractor a couple times before reaching the starting point again. This can turn your yard into a dirt pit pretty quickly.

For smaller backyards, a stationary coop or run may be a better fit, as it allows you to house chickens in one spot. This would leave the rest of your yard safe from their pecking and scratching!

Maybe Not Best for Uneven Terrain

While chicken tractors are easy to move most of the time, they can be a hassle if your terrain is rocky, very uneven, or super hilly. Moving the coop on difficult ground can become a chore, which defeats the purpose of having a movable coop. If your property isn’t suitable for easy movement, you may want to reconsider using a chicken tractor.

Not Ideal for Extremely Cold Weather

Chicken tractors are fantastic in moderate climates, but if you live in a region with harsh, snowy winters, they might not be the best option. Although chickens are hardy, they can struggle in extreme cold or snow, and a chicken tractor may not provide enough protection. It’s still possible, but to make it work, you’d need to park the tractor, add extra insulation, and use the deep litter method for extra heat for your chickens.

For areas with heavy snow or prolonged freezing temperatures, a stationary coop with proper winterization might be a better choice. However, if you’re in a warmer climate or want to use it during the spring and summer months, a chicken tractor works perfectly well, even through heavy rain and wind.

Is a Chicken Tractor Right for You?

If you have the space to move it around and live in a moderate climate, a chicken tractor can be a game-changer for your homestead. They’re affordable, easy to maintain, and offer your chickens the health benefits of free-range life while keeping them safe. Plus, they help naturally fertilize your land!

However, if you have a small yard, uneven terrain, or live in a region with extreme weather, you might want to look into other options. A stationary coop or run could be a better fit for your needs.

If you want our build plans to a chicken tractor for your own flock, you can find them here!

In the end, chicken tractors are an excellent solution for many homesteads, but like any farming decision, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons based on your specific situation.