I’ve noticed that often I try to find inspiration and ideas for my chickens coop and run, but often there isn’t much to find. So, I decided to write about what I have put in the chickens area for a bit more fun for both me and the hens.
We’ll start in the coop.
1. Nesting box doors. I find these very helpful, as I can close the nesting box doors after the hens are done laying to keep a broody hen out, (especially because I have no roosters) and to close the doors at night when I have new chicks moving in so the chicks don’t get used to sleeping in the nesting boxes. Nothing better than poop covered eggs.
They are basically a square of wood that had a metal hook to with an eye attached above. Most of the time they are open.
2. Windows. In my opinion, they make the coop a little bit more elegant and looks a bit more like a house. I always keep them open though. (Picture above) There are also other sources of ventilation.
3. I like my nesting boxes on the outside. It makes it easier to not have to go into the coop, and they take up less space. Sometimes I like to add a little bit of sage as well. Hinges that can stay up are a must for me. You just push them in at the elbow to have them stay open so you can collect eggs with ease.
Coop decor! These are absolutely unnecessary! I just add them for cuteness.
1. Name-plates. Each chicken has a sign with their name. They hang above the roosts.
2. Fresh eggs sign. Just a little sign hanging above the nesting boxes.
3. Wreath. This is fake. I usually don’t like fake wreaths, but I saw it on Amazon and thought it would be cute in the coop.
4. Fairy lights. I actually do find these helpful, as I will turn them on at night to do a headcount on the birds. (Always turn off the lights when you leave)
6. Extra Egg basket. I have an extra basket hanging in the coop. It helps if you happen to forget the basket when egg collecting time comes around.
7. I absolutely love having a walk in coop. It makes things so much easier.
Next up! The run!
1. Not sure about you, but at Christmas time I always get a Christmas tree. Chickens love to hide under it, and Peck bugs off the branches. I’ve noticed recently my 7 week old chicks love to roost on the branches! It’s a little ugly right now though.
(Note! Make sure the tree, especially if you buy one, is safe for chickens. Many Christmas trees are treated with pesticides and aren’t safe.)
2. Covered run. In Washington, it gets very rainy. The chickens, especially Mochi the Silkie bantam, get very wet and aren’t a big fan. So a covered run it would be! The whole run isn’t covered, just a portion.
3. The chicken coop was built next to a mixture of stumps, roots, and trees. The chickens seem to enjoy them, so we haven’t had them removed. The only downside is I think rats can climb the trees and get to the feed, and also have a network of tunnels through the roots. But I’m working on getting that fixed.
4. The chicken infirmary. This is a great place to keep sick or injured chickens still close to the flock. It’s also great for chicks. For the first few weeks, I keep the chicks inside, then I put them inside the chicken infirmary for a few weeks, which stays in the garage. After that, they live in the run near the big chickens, but still in the infirmary until they can be fully
5. Oyster shell feeder. Just a metal container that clips onto the run wire.
6. Lights. During winter, it gets dark early. So we have lights in the run.
7. Raised coop. A raised coop is not only good for the coop, keeping rodents out, and such, but it is also a place chickens can take a dustbath and stay dry.
8. Then, I personally like to sit and watch the chickens. The chickens also like to sit and watch me.
9. Gravel is helpful for drainage. It also looks nice.
Well! Thanks for reading this! I hope it gave some good ideas!
We’ll start in the coop.
1. Nesting box doors. I find these very helpful, as I can close the nesting box doors after the hens are done laying to keep a broody hen out, (especially because I have no roosters) and to close the doors at night when I have new chicks moving in so the chicks don’t get used to sleeping in the nesting boxes. Nothing better than poop covered eggs.
They are basically a square of wood that had a metal hook to with an eye attached above. Most of the time they are open.
2. Windows. In my opinion, they make the coop a little bit more elegant and looks a bit more like a house. I always keep them open though. (Picture above) There are also other sources of ventilation.
3. I like my nesting boxes on the outside. It makes it easier to not have to go into the coop, and they take up less space. Sometimes I like to add a little bit of sage as well. Hinges that can stay up are a must for me. You just push them in at the elbow to have them stay open so you can collect eggs with ease.
Coop decor! These are absolutely unnecessary! I just add them for cuteness.
1. Name-plates. Each chicken has a sign with their name. They hang above the roosts.
2. Fresh eggs sign. Just a little sign hanging above the nesting boxes.
3. Wreath. This is fake. I usually don’t like fake wreaths, but I saw it on Amazon and thought it would be cute in the coop.
4. Fairy lights. I actually do find these helpful, as I will turn them on at night to do a headcount on the birds. (Always turn off the lights when you leave)
6. Extra Egg basket. I have an extra basket hanging in the coop. It helps if you happen to forget the basket when egg collecting time comes around.
7. I absolutely love having a walk in coop. It makes things so much easier.
Next up! The run!
1. Not sure about you, but at Christmas time I always get a Christmas tree. Chickens love to hide under it, and Peck bugs off the branches. I’ve noticed recently my 7 week old chicks love to roost on the branches! It’s a little ugly right now though.
(Note! Make sure the tree, especially if you buy one, is safe for chickens. Many Christmas trees are treated with pesticides and aren’t safe.)
2. Covered run. In Washington, it gets very rainy. The chickens, especially Mochi the Silkie bantam, get very wet and aren’t a big fan. So a covered run it would be! The whole run isn’t covered, just a portion.
3. The chicken coop was built next to a mixture of stumps, roots, and trees. The chickens seem to enjoy them, so we haven’t had them removed. The only downside is I think rats can climb the trees and get to the feed, and also have a network of tunnels through the roots. But I’m working on getting that fixed.
4. The chicken infirmary. This is a great place to keep sick or injured chickens still close to the flock. It’s also great for chicks. For the first few weeks, I keep the chicks inside, then I put them inside the chicken infirmary for a few weeks, which stays in the garage. After that, they live in the run near the big chickens, but still in the infirmary until they can be fully
5. Oyster shell feeder. Just a metal container that clips onto the run wire.
6. Lights. During winter, it gets dark early. So we have lights in the run.
7. Raised coop. A raised coop is not only good for the coop, keeping rodents out, and such, but it is also a place chickens can take a dustbath and stay dry.
8. Then, I personally like to sit and watch the chickens. The chickens also like to sit and watch me.
9. Gravel is helpful for drainage. It also looks nice.
Well! Thanks for reading this! I hope it gave some good ideas!
