Welcome to our new coop. As you well know, we have six laying hens and when we bought this house, we knew building a new coop would have to happen right away. We were able to leave our hens at our old house for a couple of weeks, but what a chore it was to drive back there everyday to check on them. Scott quickly got to work on the new coop. He didn’t use any plans, rather winged it as he went. We had a few requirements, it had to be sturdy to withstand our new country wildlife neighbors, we wanted it tall enough to walk in comfortably so that cleaning it out and visiting with the gals would be easy. And we wanted it to be big enough that when it rains and they had to stay inside that it would be plenty big enough for milling around. It turned out to be about 8′ square. Just big enough without being too big. We still have yet to build the run, but all good things in time, right?
We have a birch tree at this new house, which very conveniently dropped a big branch the first week we were here. It makes a great spot for them to hang out. I don’t know if you can see from this picture, but we thought we were very crafty and resourceful for using old wood wine boxes we had around for their roosting boxes. Well, that idea fell through when the hens quickly fell through the bottom of the boxes. Sorry girls! We’ve put the same old cabinet that was in our old coop as a replacement.
Mabel’s happy! She lays us eggs all the time and this time we built in a little door to open up to grab the eggs, the boys are on constant egg alert and check that little door about every 10 minutes. Sometimes they’ll even stand at the little door while the hens are laying and chat with them.
Would you look at that view? Lucky hens!
The new coop looks awesome! I am planning on rebuilding the coop for my ladies.
It will definitely have a little door to get the eggs out. My current set up requires opening the whole coop up and it being “inconvenient” is an huge understatement.
Love your new coop, and yes, the view is awesome. We have to make a bigger one for our chickens. We have about 30 in one very small house. We used it as a brooder in the beginning. The guineas share with them. It’s on the list. Right now hubby is making a bigger pen for the new bull calves. Seems like there is something to do everyday around the farm—sure glad!
Joyfully,
Jackie who stays busy homeschooling a high-spirited 14 year old dyslexic sweetie.
My Attempt at Blogging
It must be so nice to have fresh eggs so often. I’m always suspicious of the ones I find at the local supermarket which can suck all the joy out of a completely good and perfectly browned omelet! Also, I’ve heard that hens can be quite clever and sociable. I’m sure they add a lot of personalty to your wonderful new home.
Lucky chookies!! Ours are in an antique chook house, which matches our farm!!
LOVE the new coop. I still want to have chickens some day. I saw a coop made a bit like an upsidedown wheelbarrow. So it can be moved around the yard. I’m thinking very seriously about this.
Have you read The Chicken Chronicles? It was a good quick read You might enjoy it if you enjoy your chixs.
Your coup is great. Can you tell me the name of the tree next to the coup? Doesn’t it bloom little fluffy pink flowers that smell very sweet? I think we have the same tree hear in Texas but I have never known its name.
LOVE the color -and the walk-in size!
hey nice work. I am a garden designer and love reading the posts. I am thinking of doing something similar.
Love those chickens! I live in Calistoga. Sadly, Calistoga is a little backwards as they don’t allow chickens in city limits. I’m going to get them anyway. I mean really…who will care? You have a great blog here. I’m enjoying brousing through it : )