Build a mobile chicken tractor

Build or buy a bottomless coop on wheels (chicken tractor) that can be moved to fresh ground daily or every few days. Tractors give chickens access to fresh grass and insects for foraging while fertilizing the lawn in a controlled rotation. Typical designs house 3-6 birds in a combined shelter and run unit.

Why It Works

Moving the coop regularly prevents bare spots, distributes manure as fertilizer, breaks parasite cycles by removing birds from contaminated ground, and gives chickens a varied diet of fresh plants and insects. The movable design also eliminates the need for a permanent run.

Tips

• Best suited for small flocks (under 8 birds) on relatively flat terrain
• Build light enough to move by hand — PVC and lightweight lumber keep weight manageable
• Still requires a secure overnight enclosure with hardware cloth and predator-proof latches