Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks for reading our frequently asked questions page! Our intention is to make this a comphrensive database of every question we have ever been asked, hopefully answering every query you may have and possibly opening up a new world of posibilities.....
Since the chicken tractors are 900mm tall, how do I collect the eggs?
All of our models are 90cm (3') high. We do this for several reasons - (a) chickens are only 30-40cm tall so any extra height is dead space, (b) the taller the coop the more it weighs and thus the more difficult it is to move and (c) the 90cm heigh packs well and can be freighted more easily than a larger model.
Access to the laying area is through thr roof of the shed end which is hinged. As long as your armpits are 900mm off the ground and your arms are 600mm long, then everything you need is in easy reach.
What exactly does 'flatpacked' mean?
We manufacture each chicken tractor out of a series of panels - 5 for a Standard and a Mini, 7 for a Master and 8 for a Jumbo. Each panel already has the mesh and the colorbond, doors and hinges, latches and all the other components already attached. Around the edges of each panel we have pre-drilled the bolt holes and assembly just involves lining up the bo lt holes and tightening th bolts.
How long does it take to assemble?
About 60 minutes for a Mini or Standard, 90 for a Master and 120 for a Jumbo.
What tools do I need?
A set of spanners is needed for the frame, an electric drill with a 5/16" hex drive and phillips head drive is neede for the trims, and a hammer is required to nail the laying box pieces together. All fasteners are supplied.
I've misplaced the instructions that came with the package. Can I get another copy?
Call us and we'll get an electronic copy to you immediately
When can you ship my order?
Under normal circumstances, we have all four of our basic models (Mini / Standard / Master / Jumbo) in stock at all times and we can despatch any orders received before 10am on the same day. There may be times when we dont have the stock in all three available colours, which would either mean waiting up to a week for us to get in your colour preference or choosing a different colour and getting it sent the same day.
The Squatter model is not held in stock, and is only manufactured once an order has been received. However, we do have all the components in the factory and depending on the quantity of Squatters ordered we can have it done in 5 business days.
The Chicken Trailer is made to order. As you can imagine, it is a pretty big job so if you are interested in one, please call us and we'll work out a production schedule.
How big is the flatpaked chicken tractor?
When shipped, a Mini model measures 185cm * 91cm * 20cm and weighs about 55kgs, a Standard model measures 275cm * 91cm * 20cm (75kgs), a Master 275cm * 91cm * 26cm (120kgs), and the Jumbo 275cm * 91cm * 30cm and weighs 150kgs. The Squatter measures 244cm * 122cm * 20cm.
Will it fit on my trailer / ute?
It will fit on almost any ute or trailer - just remember to have couple of good ropes or tie-down straps, and a flag for the overhang if you have a dual-cab ute.
Can I carry it on my roofracks?
Tradies roof racks yes, roof racks on your sedan no.
Will it fit in the back of my 4WD?
No, although I have had customers collect it in the back of vans but I would not recommed it. It takes a fair effort to push one of the packs into a van through the rear door.
Where is my local depot?
Please refer to the Delivery information pertaining to your State. Remeber if you live near a State border to see what freight possibilities there are on the other side as these may be advantageous to you.
Can I pick it up from your factory?
Yes. We are an early-open, early-close factory. Pick-ups can be from 5am to 1.30pm weekdays, or later during NSW school holidays. Weekend pick-ups are possible. All pick-ups, regardless of time, need to be arranged in advance as we are sometimes at tradeshows or out doing deliveries or otherwise just not there. And even if we are open there may be several tonnes of stock between what you need and the factory door.
Do you have any dealers?
Yes. Recognising our historical relationship with Queensland's Sunshine Coast (Gympie was the location of our first factory) we have an ongoing relationship with an exceptional supplier in Caloundra QLD. Little Mountain Produce carries stock of our Standard, Master and Jumbo models which you can purchase direct from them at our normal retail prices.
Call Cory or one of the staff at Little Mountain Produce on 5491 5120. They can organise your chicken tractor, and they also supply chickens, pellets, and all the other accessories you may require. Delivery may also be arranged.
Presently, Little Mountain Produce is our only dealer.
Can I collect if from one of the field days you attend?
We attend several field days and trade shows each year - see our News section for details of dates and locations. When we travel to these shows we are only to happy to bring your orders along with us and normally there will be no freight charge. So, if you live between our factory and a field day site, or if you are going to a field day and want to meet us there - place your order online and discuss it with us. (Please note if you want to see us at the field day it will either need to be before or after the day as we cannot leave our stand and head off to the carpark in the middle of the day)
I cannot collect it from a depot, I need to have it delivered to my door.
We can deliver it to your door but it can be expensive. The central problem is Occupational Health and Safety Legislation. Somehow in the past few years it has been decided that the average Aussie man cannot lift more than 25kg or he might hurt himself. (Anything heavier than a slab of beer is strictly off-limits).
Therefore, if YOU can unload it from the truck then delivery is no problem at all. An example of this would be a farm with a forklift or tractor, or a business location where it can be unloaded by mechanical or physical means. Please note that the delivery vehicle will be a decent sized truck, so if your property is up a hill or on a dirt track, chances are it will not be delivered.
Or, I can arrange a taxi-truck or equivalent to get it to you. Taxi-truck operators (being self-employed) are generally more flexible, and can arrange jobs on a case-by-case basis.
Well I live miles from any of these depots and I still need it delivered to my door - and I don't care what it costs.
OK - contact us and give us your exact location. We can arrange a taxi truck to deliver anything anywhere. Even if you live 300km west of Lightning Ridge we'll find some way of getting it there - taxi trucks are usually $2 per km or thereabouts, but it can be done.
What about custom models?
The general answer is that we do not do custom models. However, there are exceptions to every rule. Let me explain -
We manufacture hundreds of our 4 main models each year and therefore we have become quite efficient allowing us to produce them at a reasonable cost. Any deviation from from the norm results in a much slower production rate. The kind of changes we can make would be adding another door into the meshed sides, or doubling the length of a chicken tractor. The kind of things we cannot do is make a chicken tractor 30cm taller than normal or 30cm narrower as this changes the raw materials we need to use and changes the way the chicken tractor flat-packs.
However, we can make custom models at quieter times of the year (January or May-August) or if you are not in a hurry to have the project finished. If you have a query, fell free to contact us and we will do our best to assist you but remember - customisation comes at a cost in terms of problematic freight and increased labour.
Call : (02) 9831 6396