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But now we have a new chicken coop that will last us a very long time and it’s super fun!
It all started because I had purchased new chicks our small farm, and we needed to make changes to the old coop by adding additional nesting boxes and perches.
The old coop floor also had a handful of patches, and the best choice was to rebuild it with some new plywood and 4×4 timbers.
You know how it goes with DIY.
Thankfully after the crumble, we were able to reuse the roof and trusses from the old coop.
I also have a scrap lumber stash that saved us a little money and time on this unexpected project plan.
We ran to our local lumber retailer and purchased some 2 x 4s and AC2 3/4 x 4 x 8 green pressure treated plywood for the frame and walls.
Because one of the trusses was destroyed in the fall, the decision was to shorten the chicken coop by a foot and a half to leave an overhang that we’re calling a porch.
I had to because the chickens love the playground area for shade, and our silkie rooster Wolf can always be found admiring himself in the mirror.
Yep, I went with pink, and it matches the pink stalls in my pony barn.
The decision of pink was also easy because there were two gallons of pink exterior paint in the Oops department at Menards.
You just can’t beat a gallon of paint for under $10.00.
I always check for exterior paint in the oops paint department.
You do not need to spend a ton of money on paint to have a colorful farm.
AFTER
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THE SWINGFor the swing, I used a scrap piece of 2″ x 2″ furring strip. The wood piece is 18″ long, and I drilled holes at the end of each side for the rope. The swing hangs 12 inches from the ground.
After I installed the boxes into the coop, I decided to add some extra boards to the top to hold pine shavings.
I know they’re going to rest up there, and with the pine shavings, it will be easier to keep clean.
CHICKEN COOP DECOR
CHICKEN COOP DECOR
This idea came to me because at the time I had eight different breeds of chickens, and I was trying to think of a clever way to remember all the breeds and their egg colors.
So, I made up this breakfast menu.
This idea came to me because at the time I had eight different breeds of chickens, and I was trying to think of a clever way to remember all the breeds and their egg colors.
So, I made up this breakfast menu.
As for the new shingles, paint job, and interior, those took a few extra days, and we never made it to the lake that weekend.
The animal’s needs always come first, but it worked out because the following weekend had beautiful weather, and we took a day to relax in our kayaks on the water.
And yes, I know that the chickens are just going to poop in this freshly pinked-out chicken coop interior, and that’s ok because just like with my old chicken coop, I’ll give this beauty a fresh new coat every couple of years.
As for the layout of the chicken area, we let our flock free range the property, but the coop is located inside a chain link fenced area approximately 50 feet by 50 feet.
At night they get locked in the coop, and we shut the fence gate.
And, my favorite feeder is this one pictured below!
It's a simple DIY project!
If you're looking for a quick way to add fun items to your coop, like a swing, decor, or fancier nesting boxes, Amazon is a great resource.
I often browse Amazon for ideas and think, 'I could make that!' Before I built the swing in my coop, my cousin had sent me this one.
XOXO
Emily
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