When I started looking into building a coop, I went on Freecycle and found someone with a used coop, broken down into boards and wire and green corrugated fiberglass panels. Along with scraps from remodeling our kitchen and tearing our a wall of cedar tongue and groove panelling, old futon frames and a bunkbed ladder and left over living room wall paint, I created a small backyard coop of all recycled and/or free materials in Charlottesville, VA. It is not complete and will be changing as the our chickies grow, depending on how many females I actually have!


1. I began with 2 old fence posts and 2 x 4's for the floor and frame, creating a house on skids for easy (or not-so-easy because it is very heavy) moving.




2. I built a nesting box suitable for 4 hens but will probably be adding another one to the back side soon. Also am going to remove the lowest back panel and reattach with hinges and a latch so I can rake out the bottom of the coop to clean it.


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3. nearly completed coop, complete with a window box for flowers, outdoor perch.
Futon frame built in to hang feeder/waterer from.



4. windows are made from old cabinet doors made to fit flush inside their frame




5.Attached the fiberglass panels and put the little ones to work!
("mommy? am I gonna get messy?"-from my 8 yr old son before asking if he could go play video games... 10 yr old daughter painted diligently)






6. Outside painted, front frame half built...outdoor pen to in progress...!!! more to come..



....Babies in the brooding box (rabbit hutch) in my living room 4/10/12

Americauna's, Barred Plymouth Rock, Polish (and 4 call ducklings)



....MORE TO COME AS I ENCLOSE THE PEN, ATTACH a SPRING FEEDER and WATERER WITH CHICKEN NIPPLE CUPS and MOVE THE BABIES OUT OF THE BROODING BOX!! (4/13/12)....


Thanks for checking out my purple ranchette!