How hard would it be to build a self-moving chicken tractor? Obviously pic rel is a bit overkill and overpriced, but I'm thinking about doing a hoophouse or a-frame style with some solar panels and batteries. I would like to be able to move a week's worth of food and water as well, so it'll need to be able to move some weight.
It took NASA almost 10 years and $2.5 billion dollars to build the Perseverance rover. I highly doubt you would be able to do better than NASA so this is probably way outside your league.
Just buy eggs and chicken at the store.
Very true, thanks Rabbi.
The Chicken Run sequel is coming along pretty good, isn't it?
I can't think of any reason why it would be hard or impossible to do
Me neither, so why isnt it being done more?
If it can move very slowly then it should be pretty easy. You just need the right gearing and it can crawl over the course of a day using solar power. If you need it to know where it's going and steer then that gets more complicated but you may be able to implement some things from self driving lawnmowers. I believe there are some open source projects for that type of stuff.
I kinda wonder if the way to go is to build an RC car that can do it first then scale it up.
guide ropes, picket anchors can handle thousands of lbs. pic related
the tensioner could be a mattress spring bungee w/e
Whats the purpose
Is it to keep fresh grass for the chicken? I cant tell from the picture what its actually trying to accomplish
Yes, fresh grass and not nitrogen overload on the grass below.
Screenshotted, I'll post when my tractor is built and you'll me a six pack.
I'm not holding my breath, do-nothing.
keep projecting. Why are you so negative? This is totally feasible
Doesn't matter, you'll never do anything.
Does it need to turn as well?
Not for now, I can do that. I just don't want to pull multiple tractors twice a day.
The Feather People are easily startled, but they'll soon be back, and in greater numbers
What single one of these have I done?
You think anchoring a winch and a long rope would work? Just have it drag the thing on a timer. Wouldnt have to be extremely long if it's just have to move it's length 7-14 times between visits
I thought about this as well. Not sure what's better. I could have winches on both sides too, so that after changing 'lanes' it'd be pulled the other direction.
I also thought about using pressurized water to roll them, which would do double duty by topping off the water tanks (but that's probably moronic).
Not sure why I dont see more of this being done though, this would be especially great for those farming land away from their home, so they dont HAVE to visit 1-2 times a day just to scoot a tractor.
Probably. Sounds like a smart way to do it. Way simpler than trying to add motorized wheels. How are you gonna keep the chickens safe while it's moving though? Would be sad if they got their little feet caught under the edge
Some tractors I saw began movement 15-30 minutes after sundown, so the chickens were roosted while moving. Others used an audio alarm to get them to move to the other side.
Absolute easiest way can think of doing this would be solar panels charging a few automotive batteries. A harbor freight atv winch either direct driving or driving through a jackshaft and sprockets to get the speed you desire, and a timer to run it for only so long however many times a day you want it to run to get your overall travel distance for the day. Timer would of course have to run a relay that would in turn run the winch contactors.
Seems overkill for nothing. Just get off your fat ass and take 10 minute to move it by hand when necessary.
If it was at my own property and this wqs outside my backdoor I would, but its not. Plus, this is way more scalable for multiple tractors.
I don't see why not
you only need to move it a dozen feet per day.