Coop for the little girls

[cposz]

We have 2 one-year old red hens and 2 six-week old buff Orpington chicks. We are thinking that the little ones are still too small to be out in the coop with the big girls, but we know that they want to be outside!

So today we converted our old unused doghouse into a temporary coop for the little ones - for about the next dozen weeks, until they are big enough to go into the big girl coop. Tomorrow we'll try to get a ramp and run up.

The temporary coop is not fancy, maybe even a bit primitive, but we are hoping that this will satisfy their desire to be outside, instead of in a big box in the garage. Maybe after tomorrow they can be.

We live in Minnesota (Twin Cities), and hope the nights aren't too cool for the chicks - they are fully feathered or darn close to fully feathered.

But we placed their temporary coop next to the big girl's coop so that they can get used to seeing each other for a few weeks before actually mingling with them.

 

[RendonRoo]

great set up. it will help to integrate them as well. Pat yourself on the back for job well done. Good Luck

 

[Renee]

Oh, I think your little red coop is adorable. What a pretty set-up you have.

 

[cposz]

I must give credit where credit is due! We didn't build the little red coop - but our 2 big girls are so happy in it!

We took an urban chicken farming class in March, and our coop was built by the fellow that taught the class (www.thechickenenthusiast.com). He did a great job, and was so professional. Here's a picture of the big girl coop (most of the other side is a huge window).

Hoping that the new digs work for the chickies for the next dozen weeks or so. We are thinking that we'll hang on to the temporary coop even after our mini-flocks are integrated, so that we have a safe place for an ailing or aggressive hen if the need arises. Let's hope it doesn't!

 

[cposz]

Oh, and as long as I'm giving credit where credit is due, I must also say that in fact, we didn't really do the doghouse conversion either. Hubby and I are administrative types without alot of construction skills. Most of the conversion work was done by a couple of our friends who are far handier than we are! I spent the construction time handing tools off.

 

[mmtillman]

Yes...a very good job!!

 

[redoak]

Nice coops, very cool design