Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Phantastic2001]

Hi - I thought a quick description might help others convert their 'Go' into Chicken Tractors that are easy to move around the yard. Please note I started with an assembled 'Go', so these instructions differ from what Omlet provides.

 

1) Trace the bottom of your Go onto pressure treated plywood. Cut, paint.

 

2) Disassemble the Go up to the point where you can remove the front door.

 

3) Attach the front door to the assembled run. I used those weird screws, but ditched the forked washers in exchange for traditional washers. This allowed me to better attach the run to the Go.

 

4) Attach wheels to the bottom of the plywood. (see pic)

 

5) Place the partially assembled Go (Bottom and two sides) onto the plywood. You will have to use a block to even it off since the wheels will be on one side only.

 

6) Drill holes thru the Go and thru the plywood. Attach with Bolts and nuts. Don't forget the washers on the top of the Go, and bottom on the wood. (See pics below and above) I drilled four holes on each side. Two in the front and two in the back.

 

7) Your partially assembled Go should now be attached to the plywood and on wheels. (See pics - Note - I took these pics after everything was done. You should not have your run or front door attached at this point)

 

Use some blocks and raise the run with front door to a height equal to the Go on wheels. Attach the Go to the Front Door that is attached to the run.

 

9) Now you need to strengthen the run. Use a piece of wood (1x2) the length of each side plus 2 feet. The extra two feet will be handles. Attached the wood to the run by screwing into three pieces of small wood (2x4) where the pieces of the run over-lap (Same places you used the snaps). I also did this to the top but to the exact length of the run so there was no overhang. (see pics)

 

10) Bend the wire run down so that it hits the ground. (very easy to do)

 

Everything put together.

 

This works great for my needs. I have the convenience the 'Go' offers and I'm able to move it to different areas of my lawn daily!

 

 

The white cover is a Fabric Shower Curtain.

[Mum]

Very interesting conversion, glad it works for you

[Lewis]

Very clever

 

I just pick them up from the run at the front and drag

[Mum]

Very clever

 

I just pick them up from the run at the front and drag

Me too

[Egluntyne]

You have gone to a lot of trouble. I'm struggling to see where the advantages lie, tbh.

[Phantastic2001]

It wasn't too much trouble. In fact it took longer for the paint to dry than the build did.

 

I found that the screws holding the GO started to get really loose and the clips on the run popped off by moving it around the yard. It really isn't designed to be moved on a daily basis. With these modifications I have been able move it around while everything holds up nicely, even with the weight of snow on it!

[bevmatt]

Fantastic - going to show my husband this - I currently move our houses every other day but as they have 3 m runs find that the runs buckle slightly when moved this would save a lot of stress on the run and house and would make it really easy to move - brilliant Thanks

Bev