4X6 tractor -- How many chickens?

[Farmer_Dan]

I want to put together a breeding tractor (or a few) that will fit in the back of my small toyota pickup truck. 4X6 or 4X8 max, but can be 6 ft or so tall and doesn't have to be a triangle type.

I would like to have at least 3 birds in there (1 rooster 2 hens) but maybe more. They wont be able to free range due to other roosters running around all randy like. Is that going to be big enough? Should I make it a 2 floor type coop so they have some extra leg room?

Suggestions? Is there a better way to do this?

Requirements:
1. Keep a few birds seperated to be able to breed
2. Fits in the back of the pickup truck
3. Food / Water / Nest / Roost inside
4. Open bottom so they can access the grass


Any fantastic ideas out there?

 

[swmalone]

I have a 4x8 that I keep 3 hens in. I was planning on going up to 5 at most, but after having three in there I think if I add more I will do a more permanent coop with some more vertical space in the coop. I think it would work great for what you want, and if you feel the need for extra roaming spacing I just jerry-rigged up a run extension using PVC and chicken wire.

This is what mine looks like.

 

[teach1rusl]

That's a nice looking tractor swmalone (although I'm not a fan of chicken wire)!

OP - If they're going to be in there full time, I'd go with a 4x8 for a trio. If it's a smallish, VERY mild, calm breed, maybe a quad.

 

[rockbottompottery]

beautiful tractor swmalone. 4X6 tractor seems plenty for 3 birds

 

[acer3211]

u must have some sought of protection, chicken wire or not

 

[swmalone]

The chicken wire on mine is more to keep the birds contained during the day in the run area, I also have a rather jerry-rigged PVC run addition that I use at times and it is just chicken wire as well. They are in a fenced back yard, and at night they go up into the coop part of the ark and I seal the trap door/ramp.

 

[awesomefowl]

24 square feet; I'd put about 6 chickens in there.

 

[swmalone]

awesomefowl
Today 11:52 am
24 square feet; I'd put about 6 chickens in there.

If it was designed like mine that 24 square feet is just the run area. Mine is actually 32 square feet because I'm 8x4, the coop area is actually about 6x2 or 12 square feet because I lose a couple feet for the built in egg boxes and since it is the A frame the width is about half. That is why I think I will max mine out at 3 until I can build a permanent coop. I live in city limits so I will most likely max out at 5 even with a permanent coop.​

 

[Farmer_Dan]

Great info, thanks a ton!

I think making it 4X8 might be better, it can hang out the back of the truck on those few times I have to transport it.

The chickens I'm likely going to have in it are smaller chickens, probably sultans.

Also, I don't really want an attached run, but I'll be moving it around the front yard so they'll have fresh ground regularly. Thanks for the ideas, keep em coming.

I'm going to try to figure out google sketch up and see if I can get a design going. I have one in my head, but for some reason, I can't seem to screen shot my brain!

 

[chicken_noob]

If it were me, id make it 8'long x 4'wide x 6'high. Then have the coop section be 4x4x4 in the upper corner. They would have a decent lil area and the coop would be big enough for a nesting box or 2 and a roost. Plus outside you could have the food under the coop to keep dry and aslo a dry shade spot for the birds. You could even go 8' high since you'd have to buy a 8' board to cut it down to 6' .. but then if it is 6h and 4w a 10' would work for that. But since it'll be moved from time to time and.loaded/unloaded into your truck you could take the extra 2' sections to make it more ridgid from gussets. Just my 2cents. Good luck.