My Homemade Eglu

[ChickyDee]

I have been wanting a couple of chickens for almost a year now but I live in a neighborhood with strict covenants so I couldn't have anything too obvious. I was thinking about and Eglu but the cost was prohibitive so I bided my time until I found this doghouse by Rubbermaid. It is called the 'Grow With Me' dog house, meaning that the front wall can be adjusted to make the house smaller for a puppy and larger as the dog grows. This also means that it has grooves and indentations on the inside that made it really easy to add perches and a nest box! The house itself is double wall constructed just like an Eglu, it has a vent that can be closed, and the top is hinged so it lifts right up and has a support to keep it up so that both of my hands will be free.
This is a picture of the actual doghouse:

The top lifts for easy access:

The interior:

My babies:

We haven't constructed the run yet but I think that this is a good start, what do you all think about this? Bear in mind I am only keeping a couple of hens in a suburban neighborhood.

 

[Wifezilla]

I like it! Good scrounge

 

[ChickyDee]

Thank you! I forgot to mention that the doghouse retailed for $99 but I talked them down to $50!!! WooHoo!!!

 

[CoopCrazy]

That's an awesome idea..Way to get creative.

 

[chickens4me]

That is a really very good idea. I have seen how nice and "HIGH priced" those Eglus are. Your's looks just as nice.

You are certainly thinking outside and "inside" the box, too!!

Can I "steal" your idea!

 

[EweSheep]

Wow, great idea!

 

[ChickyDee]

Quote:
Give me some of that popcorn and you can steal my idea

 

[hennypenny9]

That's awesome! I too, looked at the Eglu. Way expensive, and fairly small. I bet this doghouse is even bigger! I assume the hole inside is for a nest? You may end up having to make it bigger, or they might decide on a corner instead. (Or mine would, maybe they're just silly?)

 

[ChickyDee]

Quote:
I have never had chickens before so I don't know if the hole will be big enough or not. We can just slip the plywood out and cut a larger whole in no time so that doesn't worry me too much. I'm hoping that the back area will be a 'nesting area' but if they don't use it then I will pull the plywood out and let them use a corner. I was under the impression that they liked privacy for egg laying duty. I also don't know how many hens this will accommodate down here in the south where they won't be inside due to inclement weather very often. What do you all think?

 

[lichick28]

What a clever idea. Where did you get it? Good luck