tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271926268770826314.post4906090658956422053..comments2023-05-01T09:41:41.212-04:00Comments on Living From Scratch: Evolution of a Chicken TractorAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430882380584542128noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271926268770826314.post-54992933649804727642012-03-28T11:13:43.572-04:002012-03-28T11:13:43.572-04:00we have 8 hens and it suits them well, but I'd...we have 8 hens and it suits them well, but I'd make it bigger if any more were gonna live there. For the most part, we're happy with the design but we have done some tweaking along the way. <br /><br />1. The Big door that runs the length was too heavy for the hinges we bought after a while. We fixed it by hinging it at the bottom, but you could also just invest in heavier-duty hinges. <br /><br />2. We REALLY should have painted the floor. We're actually going to have to replace it soon because we didn't. Poo and seeping rain have bowed it significantly. <br /><br />3. The shingles made it really heavy (my husband has to move it because I can't) and I never figured out a good solution for where the big side door opens up so rain got in anyways (contributing to the bowed floor). We fixed it by attaching a tarp (through furring strips so it doesn't rip) completely to the side without a door and attaching it just above the door on the other side, and letting the tarp drape over the crack and door with another furring strip at the bottom as a weight so it doesn't flap up. Now, when we open the big door, we flop the furring strip over the top (and the tarp goes with, of course) then open the door. In the future, I'd skip shingles and go with a painted roof and the tarp. <br /><br />4. The "runners" on the bottom were eventually removed and replaced with 2x4s attached underneath the vertical supports, more like a sled than the "blade" style shown above.Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09430882380584542128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271926268770826314.post-25145489064036370132012-03-28T10:34:35.474-04:002012-03-28T10:34:35.474-04:00How many hens are you keeping in your tractor. Are...How many hens are you keeping in your tractor. Are you happy with your design?PrairieDawn Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09500005269176168941noreply@blogger.com