Take A Peek In This DIY Chicken Coop!

by GreenThumbWhiteApron.com

We sort of knew what we wanted in a coop and it has evolved a bit from the first sketch. The garden cottage is about 20 feet feet wide by 10 feet deep.

take a peek in this diy chicken coop, cleaning tips, diy, doors, gardening, homesteading

When we first started thinking about getting chickens here at Kraemer House, we found out our local ordinances prohibited us from having them. It was probably for the best because we were knee deep in the house renovation with no end in sight. Flash forward a few years and the renovation is done and, lucky for us, the ordinance now allows us to keep a small flock. Personally, I never understood the restriction because our property is situated on over 5 acres but I’m happy that more and more towns and cities like mine have recognized the benefits of allowing residents to own chickens.

A few other notable features:

An automatic door that has a light sensor which will trigger the door to open at sunrise and close at sunset.

Nesting boxes that will be accessible from the cottage side so we won’t have to enter the coop and disturb the chickens to collect the eggs.

Instead of straw, hay, or shavings on the coop floor, we’re opting for sand. After a lot of research and questions, this seems like an excellent option for keeping the coop area as clean as possible. And, in the long run, it will be more economical than other options.

The attached run will have lots of things to keep the hens happy including a little chicken garden. The run will be 30 feet long, 6 feet tall, and 4 feet wide.

A rain barrel will collect water runoff from the roof.

Corrugated metal will line the coop walls for efficient cleanup.

So what kind of chickens are we getting? Keep reading for all the details. AND, I hope you'll continue to follow the progress at http://www.GreenThumbWhiteApron.com!