Once upon a time in a far away place – there was a whimsical chicken coop that just happens to be this month’s “Cool Coop”! Continue reading as Cynthia from New York describes her quaint and functional “Fairy Tale Coop”:
I’m an artist. And a builder. Unfortunately these two talents, well, clash at times. I spend more time designing and thinking, than I do cutting and nailing. I’m still designing, in my head, the perfect coop. But that’s another story. What I have built is this little lovely coop…
It started out to be just a nesting house. The girls could go there and have their private time, and it would be cleaner than having the nesting box in the coop.
The dimensions are 4’x4’x 2′ high on the side walls. The back has double doors, that are in inset, to prevent prying paws of raccoons or other predators. Having no gaps is important, too, to prevent weasels, mink, and, in some areas, rats from getting into coops. I made the house out of solid pine, even the roofing boards (I don’t like to build with plywood or particle board.) The solid wood construction made it quite a bit heavier, so I made the roof removable. The ridge cap just sits on the top, and screws can be removed to release the two roof sections.
The proper hardware is essential for a chicken coop. I recommend barrel bolts. The doors on the back overlap, and are held with this barrel bolt. Since I wanted the front to look good, I used a more decorative slide bolt.
The vent above the overhang has both screen and hardware cloth. There’s glass in the windows, and the overhang helps keep out the weather. Being raised up on the blocks allows for air circulation and ease of cleaning. The floor and the side walls are insulated.
Well, I started noticing that my four Barred Rock ladies (they are 5 1/2 years old) were getting grief from Francois the rooster when they tried to go in the coop. He wasn’t hurting them, he just prevented them from entering. The next night they also seemed hesitant to go in, when he wasn’t bothering them. They are molting now, and it’s uncomfortable for them. They like their space.
I then decided to turn the quaint nesting house into a special coop as well, just for my Barred Rock ladies. They are very special to me, since they are four of the first chickens that I ever raised. I will always favor them. They will live out their entire life with me, no matter how long they continue to lay (and they were currently laying up until molt, at 5 1/2 years old.)
Originally, the tray on top was going to have hay for nesting as well. I modified that with a wider board for roosting, and lined the tray with pine bedding.
Chickens are creatures of habit. The ladies have only spent two nights in the coop, and both nights I had to put them in there. I’m sure though, that they will soon be going in on their own. I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t prefer this to living in the other coop with the youngsters. My chickens aren’t very spoiled, are they?
Thanks Cynthia for sharing your adorable coop! Please be sure to visit Cynthia’s Blog and Facebook page: Murphy’s Lawless Chickens. Murphy, the page’s namesake, is Cynthia’s adopted dog. – “He does an amazing job watching over my 30 naughty chickens that climb on things, get in the truck, and go into the road (hence why they are called the Lawless.) I hope you will enjoy the page, and learn a bit about chickens. I also have great love of nature, and post photos of song birds and wildlife. Enjoy!”
Murphy’s Lawless Chickens (blog)
Murphy’s Lawless Chickens (Facebook)
If you have a “Cool Coop” you would like to share with the Community, email me at RNickols@communitychickens.com
Click on the link below for previous entries in the “Cool Coops!” series…
To view what else is happening at our Southwest Missouri property visit: the garden-roof coop
If you enjoy bird-watching (in addition to chicken-watching), I invite you to follow my Facebook page: Rebecca’s Bird Gardens
2 Comments
I love this charming coop! Our hickens deserve the best, they give so much..
Boy those chicken have a lovely home