A few months ago, I bought a few Rhode Island Red chicks from the farm supply store on a whim. We had been planning to get chickens eventually, but hadn't yet prepared any sort of shelter for them. Of course, when you first buy chicks this is not so much of an issue as you need to keep them indoors for the first month or two, until they get their true feathers.
We raised them in a little pen in the basement, taking them outside on sunny days, and once it was time to move them outside permanently, we transferred them to a kennel attached to the barn.
For the warm summer and early autumn weather, it has been a great space for them. However, as the mornings began to get cooler, we knew they were going to need a more insulated shelter for rain, frost, snow etc. So we decided the best course of action was to build this within the barn, as an extension to the kennel. With a plan in place, my husband got to work!
We had kept our goats in the barn the previous winter, so there was a bit of clearing out to do of old hay and straw.
This all went into the compost pile - nothing wasted!
Much better! With the corner cleared, Will could get started on the frame of the coop. That square cut out in the wall leads to the outdoor kennel/chicken run.
Once the frame was done, he made quick work of building out the rest!
He installed a door on one side so we can clean the shelter, add straw, and collect eggs.
He also added roosts, nesting boxes, and straw for additional insulation.
I love that this is built within the barn, so the chickens have double protection during the winter months. And Will did an amazing job with the build, so proud of him! Our chickens are already enjoying their cozy new abode.