EDIT: Experimenting by changing my first photo to see if it will update the thread photo (?) I thought this little chickee would be better than the picture of a coop.


I've been toying with the notion of chickens again, and on a whim we bought this pre-built coop on Saturday. It's perfect for us, has all the features I've been looking at and the right size. We have a corral we are not currently using and plan to remove a section of fence, attach the coop in one corner (so we have easy access without having to go into the chicken yard) and add wire fencing to the existing 4-board fence to keep critters out and chickens in, although I will likely free range them most of the time. Chick Day at the feed store is usually early March, I'll get perhaps 8-10 baby hens. Not sure what type yet - perhaps Rhode Island Reds. I can likely pick up a rooster for free if I keep my ear out.

Here's what caught my eye at the feed store:


Opposite side, with hinged clean-out below the hinged vent:


Man door opposite the chicken door visible in the first photo:

That's nice BH!

I'll likely trick it out a bit before we put it into its final resting spot, and will post picture as we progress. Lots of fencing to be done, although the new chicks won't be on the loose for quite a while so that buys me time.

I am totally excited for you! I love chickens. I too have been oogling those coops at the feed store. Can't wait for updates.

Thanks Toni. We're hoping to lay a base of gravel this weekend and get some boys to help us move it in place. On the one hand, I feel totally lazy buying a pre-built...but on the other, it is here and done, so let the fun begin! I likely would have procrastinated another year before actually building one.

Very cool!! Fresh eggs!

Yes, I am looking forward to that. Home grown eggs, like home grown produce, simply cannot be beat!

Did you get you chicks? Maybe to early but will you post a picture of them? I'm afraid of chickens, those pointed bills look dangerous!!

Not yet, the coop is still in our barn waiting to be set in its permanent place. We also need to do some fencing. Chicks arrive at the feed store end of this month, and yes of course I will post pictures. Roosters can be a bit aggressive sometimes, and hens will peck at you if they get broody, but otherwise they typically just scatter when you go into the pen. I've never found them to be either friendly or personable as some of the urban chicken folk claim, but that could just be me.

I used to think that too about chickens until I had to babysit some, they came with the dog and house, I was very nervous at first but these gals were so tame as soon as you'd walk up to them they'd squat to be picked up - totally unexpected and cute!! It took me a few times of them doing this to even realize what they were doing I like chickens after that!

My granddaughter (14) is excited to come with me to pick out chicks, which will likely be in a couple weeks. I'll put off buying all the 'stuff' too so she and I can enjoy a fruitful shopping trip. I'm leaning toward a mixed flock with different colored eggs, but will defer to the grandkid. Here's progress from the weekend: set corner blocks (16" drop from high corner to low), got the large rock that was only slightly poking out of the ground almost excavated, moved the coop from the barn closer to its final destination (will need help getting it on the corner blocks), started fencing:




My thought is to leave the rock in the chicken yard, perhaps paired up with a white mulberry tree.

Deb - totally "yes" about the rock and Mulberry tree! How pretty would that be!!
Love chicken yard, its going to be huge! Do you have a danger of raccoons or rats or anything trying to get your chickens? What protects them besides the fence??? (just curious)

Deb, that's a big project getting that chicken coop ready, wow. It will be fun to see the chicks in there.

Oh yes, I have predators - racoon, possum, coyote, owls, eagles, weasels, whatever else is out there. I'll have to be diligent about locking the chickens in at night. I'll have to wait and see how much of a problem they might be. I have a medium large dog who is pretty good about being on alert when a creature wanders too close, and two barn cats who keep the rats/mice at bay. When we last had chickens, predation was not a big issue and I'm hoping for the same this time around. I have seen a fairly inexpensive solar powered gizmo that blinks red at night, simulating eyes of a larger animal. Also checking out various electrical/light senstive door openers.

We've got the fence just about finished, now need a gate. Also need a couple extra strong backs to actually move the coop into place - our son is coming down this weekend so that will likely be when that happens. Between husband, son, and neighbors I think we can get it moved fairly easily. Just Gary and I....not happening...

I love the solar light eye thing! that sounds cool! I hope you all get it moved and in place without too much trouble! What a fun project!
When I was chicken sitting I'd gotten home late one day (it was winter so late being 4ish) but the chickens had still been out, and since it was beginning to get dark they'd gone into "roost" mode and somehow gotten up into the laurels (20 feet up) and so I had to climb on the fence, with a rake, thinking I could budge them down, that didn't work, they made me climb up into these skinny branched trees and carry them down...grrr but it was also very cute, how helpless and sleepy they were as soon as the sun started going down! They are funny creatures!

Looking good Deb and so much hard work!

Cute story Greg. Hope they didn't have too many chickens, that would be a big job.

haha Spring, they lucky for me only had 3 and one came when I called, so it was only 2 times that I had to climb up! And, after that I made it home before 3

Looking good Deb! I'm trying out this new site, but don't know if I can keep up with 2!

to ATP Lauri, I like your head planter!!

I know what you mean, Laur. I bounce between the two but have found this one more 'active' in the forums I'm interested in. I use both for plant research, nice to have some comparison.