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| Some of our chickens, staring toward their newly arrived accommodation. |
My husband has kept chickens since we moved out into the country more than six years ago, but we have never had a permanent structure for them. He has, over the years, built them several shelters out of lumber, small-gauge wire fence and blue tarps, around which he stacks straw bales in the winter for protection from wind and cold.
These have worked well enough most of the time, although they aren't very roomy in winter, and don't provide any protection from gnats in early summer, which can kill chickens in bad years (we lost three during this year's wet, gnat-filled May, which was really sad and upsetting).
So we resolved to spend the money to get a better structure for them before winter came. I contacted a local builder who has listed a number of small chicken sheds on Craigslist and he built us one to order in a "mini-barn" style and delivered it to us the other day.
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| The new chicken shed arrives by truck... |
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| ...is backed up to the right location... |
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| ...is unloaded... |
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| ...and is set in place. Puppy looks on approvingly. |
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| A new grand chicken hotel worthy of our noble birds. The screen door can be locked to keep out foxes, etc., while the outer door can be left open for ventilation until the very coldest (or gnattiest) days. |
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| There are two other windows, which can also be opened for ventilation, four nesting boxes and two roosting bars. |
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| A thick layer of wood chips makes it a soft place for the inhabitants. |
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| And a closeable run door affords entry to the fenced-in chicken run. |
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| A very nice addition to our Kitchen Garden area. |
Our chickens were a bit suspicious of the new shed for a few days, but they have started making short incursions into their new accommodations and have already laid a few eggs in there. I think they will be happy in their new digs, and we feel better, now that we are able to provide them with a nicer home where they can be snug in winter and safe from gnats and larger predators.
Thanks for reading! -Beth
Wow-ee... nice! Can I move in?! "Cluck cluck"... I love all the dependencies that use to be a part of farms in America... tore I few down when I was younger that I now regret... Larry
ReplyDeleteHi Larry! Yes, It looks nice enough for people to inhabit, doesn't it? You still have a few nice outbuildings on your property, though, as I recall. And you can always bring in more, if you have need for another shed. Thanks for reading! -Beth
DeleteYour new hen house is gorgeous, Beth. I am so.o.o envious -- wishing I had chickens and similar accommodation for them. We have so many foxes and coyotes in this neighborhood. P. x
ReplyDeleteHi Pam, You could still have chickens, you would just need to have a shed inside a secure pen, with a fence set below ground level with an electrified wire. We had a fox incident a few years ago (before we made our current maximum-security enclosure) that was a total bloodbath -- they're tricky and clever ("like a fox," so the saying goes), so we've had to upgrade. The fresh eggs are great -- you should see if it's possible. Thanks for visiting! -Beth
DeleteWow, what a beautiful chicken home! We are making changes in our garden and chickens are on our wishlist. This henhouse is a real asset to your garden!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janneke -- I hope you are able to get a few chickens. The fresh eggs are nice to have and the chickens themselves are interesting to watch.Good luck, and thanks for reading! -Beth
DeleteThat's the prettiest chicken house I've ever seen! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth! I'm glad you like it. Best Regards, -Beth
DeleteBeth, the hens will love their new house. It looks very similar to the one we have and the Girls were content even through last winters' brutal temps. We put a rubber liner down on the floor to keep it dry which has worked very well for the last six years. Chickens are fun, but so messy, lol.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, That's a good idea about the rubber liner -- I'll tell my husband about it. They are pretty messy; I was hoping the thick layer of wood chips would keep things clean in there, but your idea is better -- Thanks! And thanks for reading! -Beth
DeleteIt looks wonderful! I'd move in if I were a chicken. :o) I love how much you love your chickens. :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're not a chicken! You wouldn't write such a lovely blog if you were.... :-) Thanks for reading! -Beth
DeleteThat's a fine looking chicken house and the chickens will do well there, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Linda -- the chickens have become quite used to their new luxury accomodations now. Thanks for reading! -Beth
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