Upgrading our Chicken Shanty [pic heavy]

[Harley Chick]

Last year my wonderful hubby built us our first run/coop. We foolishly thought it would end with phase 1 LOL. We've made a few modifications here and there but this I think is our final stage of construction. I hope everyone enjoy our journey to being owned by chickens.

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3, addition of 3 new girls (5 hens in residence) so roosting needed to be expanded as well as run area. Final sq feet of play area 423 sq ft not including the covered run.

I will be adding mulch to area where plants are recently planted along the fence. I've planted grape vine for gate trellis and on fence, lavender, found two fancy leave maple trees (clearance at Walmart) for future shade, two lemon scented arborvitaes and tomato plants for the girls to eat ( they LOVE tomatoes). Morning glories and sunflowers will soon sprout for aesthetics purposes (since you can see our coop from street i'm trying to make it at least pleasing to the eye for good neighbor purposes LOL) I've learned keeping chickens is a work in progress. Working out there with them is like therapy for me, they never cease to entertain me with their antics as I'm digging and planting and moving stuff around. It's the least I can do for free entertainment....although the husband would disagree with the "free" word

 

[rosemarythyme]

Nice expansion!

BTW I believe morning glories are toxic, so hopefully wherever you've planted them is somewhere the chickens aren't able to access? If they are you'll need to keep an eye on them to make sure they're not eating them.

 

[Harley Chick]

Nice expansion!

BTW I believe morning glories are toxic, so hopefully wherever you've planted them is somewhere the chickens aren't able to access? If they are you'll need to keep an eye on them to make sure they're not eating them.

Yes I was aware, had them on run last year girl pretty much ignored them. If I see interest this year I will most definitely remove it if necessary. thank you for your concern

 

[JDN]

Nice expansion!

BTW I believe morning glories are toxic, so hopefully wherever you've planted them is somewhere the chickens aren't able to access? If they are you'll need to keep an eye on them to make sure they're not eating them.

I've found that they won't eat toxic plants naturally assuming they're well fed.

 

[aart]

Wow! It just keeps going and going, doesn't it?
I went thru the same, but ran out of room....and money.
Looks great!

 

[Miss Eliza]

Last year my wonderful hubby built us our first run/coop. We foolishly thought it would end with phase 1 LOL. We've made a few modifications here and there but this I think is our final stage of construction. I hope everyone enjoy our journey to being owned by chickens.

Phase 1View attachment 1810353 View attachment 1810354 View attachment 1810355 View attachment 1810356 View attachment 1810357 View attachment 1810358 View attachment 1810359 View attachment 1810360 View attachment 1810361

Phase 2
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Phase 3, addition of 3 new girls (5 hens in residence) so roosting needed to be expanded as well as run area. Final sq feet of play area 423 sq ft not including the covered run.
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I will be adding mulch to area where plants are recently planted along the fence. I've planted grape vine for gate trellis and on fence, lavender, found two fancy leave maple trees (clearance at Walmart) for future shade, two lemon scented arborvitaes and tomato plants for the girls to eat ( they LOVE tomatoes). Morning glories and sunflowers will soon sprout for aesthetics purposes (since you can see our coop from street i'm trying to make it at least pleasing to the eye for good neighbor purposes LOL) I've learned keeping chickens is a work in progress. Working out there with them is like therapy for me, they never cease to entertain me with their antics as I'm digging and planting and moving stuff around. It's the least I can do for free entertainment....although the husband would disagree with the "free" word

That’s beautiful!

 

[Harley Chick]

Wow! It just keeps going and going, doesn't it?
I went thru the same, but ran out of room....and money.
Looks great!

thanks aart!!!! We love our girls.....even the hubby has gotten on board.....I still remember the "we will never have chickens" LOL.....he now feeds them meal worms on the deck. As soon as they see him its a mad rush

 

[harmonyp]

I can feel the love that went in to the building of this, and it feels fabulous!