It started with two Rhode Island Reds and two Pekin Ducks that our son bring in abode after work one nighttime in March of 2020 . He was working at a local farm - supply store and had buy these chickens and ducks on a notion .
When he make it home , he grabbed some wood from the garage and forge a tiny makeshift chicken coop and run for them . They dwell in that small-scale abode in our garage for a few weeks and , well , of course of action we fell in love !
interpret more : Check out these 5 funky volaille coop designs !
From Playhouse to Cool Coop
Our kinsperson discussed how and exactly where we would house and care for them , did some research , enquire interrogation and began our risky venture . We converted our sons ’ old playhouse into a poulet cage and lend a trial .
We have four boys that love this playhouse for many years when they were younger . They often defended the fort , walked the plank of a plagiariser ship , slew dragon as brave knights , savage off into space or tried to tent out all night until thecoyotes ’ ululation sound just a short too close . Often between 1 and 3 a.m. , the pitter - patter of fort defender and little pirate foot made their way to their bedrooms to cease the night in the comfort of their own beds .
Now , this space would suspire aliveness again as we convert it into our “ Little Red Coop ” for our new small feathered pirates .
Missy Carter
Poultry Needs
The chick and ducks involve a few unlike accessories than the boys once did . We used pail put on a wooden form for nest boxes and tally some perch bars . We cut a jam in the bottom of the coop and impart a walk plank for entrance into the coop .
Next , we add a runnel to the side of the coop and placed netting over the top to make a secure space from overhead predators . We first used crybaby wire to contain the birds , then realized we require more secure wire to keep predators out .
We work up a duck’s egg theater at the back of the running so they could safely have their own separate place . Our chickens had the upstairs penthouse and the duck had the condo at the back of the trial .
Missy Carter
Then we , as every good Gallus gallus parent does , added a few more chickens , then a few more . Soon we realized the meaning behind chicken math ! Boy that happened quickly!Missy Carter
A New, Egg-citing Adventure
We now use their eggs to feed those same young men that used to roam this wendy house area several years ago . While those little cosmonaut and dragon slayer might have grown up on us , we now create new project with our untested grownup boys and make memories with our chick and ducks in their new home .
As we go along to learn and arise , make changes as needed , our coop dreams have been a grand syndicate adventure .
— Missy Carter , Madisonville , Tennessee . you could follow Missy ’s farm onInstagramandFacebookor visitredcoopfarm.com .
Missy Carter
This article originally appeared in the November / December 2021 issue ofChickensmagazine as a “ Cool Coop ” feature article . Have a cool coop you ’d like to share?Email us a little write - up ( ~250 to 500 words ) about your chicken cage along with a few images tochickens@chickensmagazine.comwith the subject lineOne Cool Coop , and let in your name and mailing address . mark outChickensmagazine for current prizes and contest linguistic rule .
