My Mother's Day Gift

Several weeks ago, we brought home 4 new chicks to add to our flock.  We knew we would need a bigger coop, so we bought these plans because we really liked the looks of this coop, plus it matches the design of the big new shed my husband built a couple of years ago.  We ended up making quite a few modifications to suit our own needs, but the basic look is the same. Anyways, my husband managed to finish it time for Mother's Day and we had a grand opening.

Here's a little tour: 

This is the roost area where the chickens sleep and lay eggs.  The hole in the floor is where the chickens come in from the ramp.  There is a big door on one side so that we can just pull the wheelbarrow up and rake it all out when its time for a cleaning.  There are two roost bars that should be just right to hold 8 chickens.   As you can see, the roof of the roost has a screen for the summer months (for ventilation).  Above that is the plastic roof that keeps out the rain.  In the winter we can slip a piece of plywood right into the gap between the screen and the roof, and then the chickens will be warmer.  But in the summer, they can sleep under the stars!

 

There are two removable nest boxes. 

This is the view of the henhouse from inside the coop with the large access door closed.  It's even wired with electricity for when we want to have lights on the chickens in the winter months.

The little door on the front is where you get the eggs from the outside of the coop.

The ribbon cutting (okay, we have become a little too chicken obsessed here, plus we have no life, so we really get into these sorts of things).  Please don't look at me (what a horrible shot).

 

The chickens go in to check it out.

So there you have it.  This coop looks so beautiful and tidy in our yard, and now the chickens are completely secure.  We haven't had any problems with rodents or varmints, but we did have one close call with a bird of prey awhile back.  So now we no longer have to worry.  The chicks will get to join the big girls in a couple more months and hopefully that transition will go smoothly.  Chickens don't like change, or new hens in the flock, so that will be a challenge.

Thanks baby!  I know it was a lot of work, but you did a beautiful job (all for my hens).