Looking for a practical and affordable way to raise chickens in your backyard? This Simple DIY Chicken Tractor tutorial is just what you need! Inspired by Joel Salatin’s proven design, this compact version is perfect for small-scale homesteaders who want to provide fresh pasture to their flock while keeping things budget-friendly and mobile. Whether you’re new to raising meat chickens or just want to streamline your setup, this build is both efficient and easy to replicate.
In this detailed DIY tutorial, Jason from So the Land shows viewers how to build a Simple DIY Chicken Tractor that’s ideal for small homesteads or backyard poultry keepers. Modeled after Joel Salatin’s well-known pasture-based chicken tractor but scaled down in size, this version is lightweight, durable, and cost-effective—making it perfect for raising meat chickens with minimal daily labor.
The video begins with Jason ripping treated 2x4s to create the base frame, which improves longevity and withstands outdoor conditions. He demonstrates precise techniques for cutting, drilling, gluing, and screwing the pieces together, noting that the process is straightforward—almost like assembling an IKEA kit. He emphasizes practicality throughout the build, such as angling the base for easier movement and using half-inch hardware cloth to secure the sides and bottom for predator protection while ensuring adequate ventilation.
As the build progresses, Jason shows how he designs and installs a hinged access door using the same framing method, covers the top with leftover chicken wire, and adds white corrugated plastic roofing to reflect heat and reduce weight. He explains why plastic was chosen over metal and how this material makes the structure easier to move.
Jason also incorporates several smart features, including:
A daily-access door to allow chickens to free-range within an electrified perimeter,
Ropes and hooks that allow the tractor to be pulled or pushed in either direction,
Adjustable shade using a propped-open top section,
Reinforced metal corner brackets for added stability.
Throughout the video, Jason offers tips on reducing costs—such as using scrap materials—and reveals that the total build cost was about $100. Finally, he shares that he plans to raise 30 meat chickens using two of these tractors and provides a link to his Patreon, where viewers can access free building plans and other homesteading resources.
This video is a must-watch for anyone interested in raising chickens on pasture without investing in heavy, expensive equipment—delivering a hands-on, real-life look at sustainable backyard farming.
