DIY Chicken Coop

This side of the coop is where the birds can access the yard when I want them to. The little door at the bottom can be opened during the day so that they can roam. Again, the door was part of the kitchen cabinets.

And I bet you didn't see this coming! This is why I needed help with the roof: it hinges open. I wanted easy access to the top to clean it out and to change their food and water.

Here are the three nesting boxes. The white at the back is the door that opens to gather the eggs.

Chickens like to sleep sitting on a stick, which is called roosting. I wanted the birds to have a natural roost (not just a board) and so I used a stick from our apple tree. I'm excited to see them sitting on it. Won't that be cute? And here is my string to pull up the ramp.

I put on some snazzy boards that stick out on each end at the handles to carry the coop.

After I took a few pictures I filled the top with straw in hopes of keeping things a little cleaner. I plan on changing the straw as needed. So far the straw seems to be working and they like to poke around in it.

The rest of the wood came from the house too. The green boards were above the ceiling in our living room and kitchen. Here they are in the house.

There you have it. The coop and what it costs to start raising a small brood of chickens. Wasn't that fun? Who else wants their own chickens now?

I really want to paint a sign to hang on the coop that says something, but I just can't figure out what it should say. Something about chickens or eggs, obviously. Any ideas?