For as long as I could remember, I wanted to add chickens to our backyard garden. Unfortunately, my husband was adamant – we were NEVER having chickens!
Since life was busy with 3 children and full time work, I didn’t really have a good argument against his refusal. But when our youngest son moved out almost two years ago, I took up my campaign again.
I’m not sure if my hubby is softening in his old age or what – but it was a much easier meeting of the minds then I had expected.
We’ve had this little 3-sided shed on our property since we moved in 25 years ago. Over the years it has housed the lawn mower and rototiller.
One spring day while working in the garden, my hubby decided it might make a pretty good chicken coop. And so the construction begins…..
We designed the inside of the coop to be 2 separate rooms. The back side of the coop is the hen house and the front side is the clean/storage area. Egg collecting will be accessible from the storage area and the screen door separates the two rooms.
I knew we had a bit of time before the project was move-in ready, so I planted a few rows of corn, some flowers and my tomatillo plants where the outdoor run would be built.
The chicks arrive the first part of August.
Gilligan was introduced to the chickens from the first day they arrived. He loves checking on them!
Work continues….. the nesting boxes go in…..
We used recycled materials for the outdoor run. The posts are left overs from a prior fence project and the chain link and gate from our old dog run that isn’t used. Windows and doors are from the bone pile at my husband’s glass shop.
The outdoor run is covered in the metal sheeting that originally surrounded the shed.
The girls get their first tour of the outdoor run……
And they check out the inside of the hen house……
Did you notice the door at the back of the coop (under the roost)??? This is level with the floor and opens up for easy coop cleaning!
Currently, there is no electricity to the coop since it sits across the creek. These solar panels work GREAT to provide some supplemental light.
The finished product! The girls love their home and care and clean up is so easy for me.
In the end, I am so grateful for my husband’s willingness to accept my crazy ideas! After a busy day at work, we enjoy touring the garden and checking on the girls! They not only provide us with fresh, delicious eggs – but some entertainment as well!
I would love to hear about your girls and their coop and would so appreciate your sharing your tips and tricks for raising chickens!
