by Jennifer DurbinLast summer my boyfriend built my beautiful, beautiful coop using only the plans I had drawn on a piece of printer paper, with these simple instructions: “It’s gotta be cute … and safe … and warm.”
And it is. There is 6 inches of foam insulation in the floor and ceiling — 3 inches in the walls — including the nest box, hatch and doors.
The roost and vinyl-covered poop board are at one end …
The nest box is at the other …
It has sufficient ventilation via operable vents and two functional windows — all double screened with 1/4 inch hardware cloth. In the large clean-out door is fitted a secure screen frame for summer and well into fall. Suspended from the peak is an interchangeable fan or heater.
The outside measures 4′ x 8′; the inside slightly less due to the insulation. Because of the small size, in the building of this coop, it was immediately clear that after framing, the interior walls should be installed first followed by the insulation and then the exterior sheeting.
Although this coop currently houses 4 bantam cochins, I can comfortably keep eight standard hens or 10 bantams.
Behind and under the coop is a secure run area surrounded by 1/2 inch hardware cloth. The wire screening is bent to extend a foot all the way around the run perimeter to prevent digging under. Inside the run is filled with 6″ of rounded pea gravel to provide a well-drained comfortable walking surface for the chickens.
What my run now needs are suspended roosts for daytime entertainment. I did have a few bales of straw for them to hop on, but in the elements, these deteriorate and grow mold and mushrooms, which I feel makes them hazardous to my girls.
I have four bantam mille fleur cochin — the goal is to add two more … or three. Thanks for snooping!
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This is a gorgeous coop, Jennifer. I’d be willing to bet that a few of our readers would love to borrow your boyfriend!
We know there are other dedicated coop-extraordinaires out there, and we’d love to hear from them.
17 Comments
Hi there !
I love making something the best it can be – looks like you sure do too !
Very nice and safe too !
Please disregard all negative comments from others who are simply ignorant or jealous. Yes, perhaps having all of these extra’s is vanity, but isn’t this a matter of choice. Just like people can choose to drive a old ruined car or choose to buy a nice luxurious car.
Your chicken coop is beautiful! Your hens must be very happy and healthy. Two thumbs up!
That’s very creative of your boyfriend, making a chicken coop as stylish as this. It looks like a miniature barn, complete with the frame and insulation. I’m sure that your chicken is very pleased with its new home. It will only be a matter of time before it starts laying eggs. Mm.. Are you planning on building a chicken coop larger than this?
Kevin Noel
great looking coop !!!
Great coop….awesome design!
Rattle on, Jake.
While you guys argue back and forth let me just say that I think it’s nice but such a waste of materials. Chickens are very hardy in cold climates and are quite comfortable with just basic protection (a roof, and protection from wind) from the elements. I build coops as a side “job”, and women all want the “Martha Stewart” looking hen house (but throw a fit at the cost), where men are more imaginative, using scrap materials and camouflage them as cars, trains, boulders, etc. or a plain shabby looking box (as MaryH puts it). Hens will nest just about anywhere, the rest is just human vanity. As was mentioned, the biggest considerations with any enclosure is ventilation and waste removal.
I must give you credit for working so hard to make such a nice home for your birds! There are too many people out there who simply throw together a shabby looking box and call it a coop, frequently AFTER the birds have arrived! I agree, however, with what Pathrat said – ventilation is extremely important. And, with such a well-insulated coop, you need to be especially vigilant. But, your fan seems to be in place for helping you with that. Don’t listen to downers like those other two – you did a great job and it’s clear that you are thinking of your birds safety and comfort. Nice coops like this will go much farther in helping non-chicken people to accept – and maybe spread! – the backyard chicken movement. Thank you!
It is a beautiful coop. And what is wrong with not having an eyesore in your backyard? Having something nice might even help if she has complaining neighbors. If you check this or any other site they all say 4′ X 8′ can house 8 to 10 chickens. She did say Bantams if you read right. Also in cold climates most people do insulate. With ventilation there are no problems. http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=452712
Ouch you two (Paula & smount) !! You sound more like “cat” lovers than fowl folks. Pathrat made the point quite nicely without being ugly. Shame on you gals! Tis the season….. 🙂
I agree with Paula. No insulation-very poor for chicken housing. The entire south facing wall should have been left open. And pea gravel?? That makes scratching a bit difficult. Hay ground cover with scratch grain tossed on top is the way to go. Shirley
oh, come on, please! Is this a yard ornament or a hen house? Not only did you waste good money on the pretty features, but the hens don’t give a s*** what it looks like as long as you have all the necessary features and proper ventilation.You should have not put in insulation. This will only cause lung problems. And if you think that you can house 10 chickens in there, you need training on how to properly care for chickens. And if all you want is just the cuteness of saying to friends “I HAVE CHICKENS” then get some toy chickens. Because you and your boyfriend should have done more research.
The prettiest coop I’ve seen. Bravo to you and your very creative boyfriend. Your feathered friends are lucky, indeed, to be living in splendor!
Hi! This is a beautiful coop! As a veterinarian, however, I want to emphasize the need for ventilation. I don’t know where you live or how cold it gets, but ventilation is the key to health even in a very cold climate – poor ventilation is much more of a health threat than cold in nearly every climate. Chickens have a much higher normal body temperature than most mammals and as a result, a few chickens will self-heat an enclosed space quickly. In addition, an amazing amount of moisture is released through normal breathing which compounds the issue of ventilation. Combine this with normal nitrogen gases (including ammonia) produced by feces and the potential for respiratory disease goes way up. Don’t assume that you have adequate ventilation. I suggest a daily check of the interior for condensation on walls, windows, screen frames, etc. and look for evidence of dampness or mold in the litter. At the first sign of moisture accumulation or a foul (not “fowl” :p)odor, open windows, turn on the fan if necessary, or do whatever is required to reduce the humidity and improve ventilation. If I was building a similar coop, I would probably use passive vent holes high in the walls under the eaves and a roof vent (similar to soffet vents and a roof vent) as this combination creates a natural chimney effect that assures a continuous air exchange without relying on opening and closing windows or the use of a fan. Your boyfriend does beautiful work, though, and you have a beautiful flock! Gary
very nice best one yet, yes he is a keeper. i love it
Oh, that is just amazing! I sure hope your hens oblige by providing tasty eggs a-plenty!
This is beautiful. Good job with the plan designs and two thumbs up to your boyfriend who brought your vision to life. 🙂 He’s a keeper.