Polyface chicken tractor MODIFICATION - Now you can catch the birds!

I've changed the Polyface chicken tractor to allow access to the birds in the back of the structure. The original design by Joel Salatin had a fixed back which required you to crawl on your stomach to catch the birds for processing. I hope this helps you with your builds!

[@coreyvernon2291]

Well done Mike! I’ll be building tractors on our farm in the next 3-6 months. Good to see what’s working for you.

[@stonepillarfarm9089]

Thanks Corey! Another important tip I forgot to mention in the video is make sure you make your 1x2 and 1x3 pieces for the chicken tractor by ripping down 2x4 and 2x6. I made a mistake (unknowingly) with my 2 most recent chicken tractors by buying 1x6 decking boards. I thought I'd save time and frustration by not having to do so much ripping, but had no idea how much weight it was going to add to the structure. I'd guess my new chicken tractors are about 50% heavier than the ones I built by ripping boards. They're so heavy they're almost unusable.

[@AMason2010]

I use to do the same thing by crawling in during the catch. I started lining the outside of the shelter with crates then I have someone help me and lift the whole shelter over the crates and set it on the other side then we quickly make a circle with the crates and surround the birds. They are super easy to catch after that.

[@stonepillarfarm9089]

Good advice. Thanks Adam!

[@MahaffeyFarms]

We’ve run Salatin shelters for 10-12 years and have NEVER crawled on our bellies to catch birds. Read page 109 and 110 of his pastured poultry profits book! Has pictures! He explains how to catch the birds with partitions. Just two pieces of plywood. So easy. I’m alway shocked at how many people say they “have to crawl in”. No you don’t!

[@stonepillarfarm9089]

Wow! Thanks for the reference to the pastured poultry book. I've read that book but either didn't catch that or didn't remember. Also had an experience of working at Polyface for a couple days and helping catch birds, and we did not use the partition but had to crawl on our bellies. But, that was in the fall and we were catching laying hens not broilers, so maybe they just didn't use them that time? I will institute the partitions this season for sure. I'm still glad I added the hinged back though since it makes getting sick or dead birds out of the back of the shelter so much easier.

[@littleridgefarm4073]

Nice job and thanks for the info

[@stonepillarfarm9089]

Thanks Little Ridge Farm!

[@whitacreHeritageHomestead]

That’s really smart

[@stonepillarfarm9089]

Thanks! Always trying to improve our processes.

[@mihacurk]

Cool, didn’t think of that:)

[@stonepillarfarm9089]

Thanks, glad you found it helpful.

[@1337farm]

Did you use aluminum roofing as poly face recommends or is that steel?

[@stonepillarfarm9089]

It's all aluminum roofing. Very difficult to find. I drive over 2 hours one way to get it.

[@1337farm]

@@stonepillarfarm9089 any chance you can share the company name for the aluminum? I can’t find anywhere.

[@stonepillarfarm9089]

@@1337farm The place we were able to find it is called R&D Cross in Brandywine Maryland.

[@kylesnyder3757]

Do you use the dolly to move those?

[@stonepillarfarm9089]

Yes I do. Are you also using these structures and dolly?