Are you thinking about getting chickens of your own? Today I am so excited to share the beginnings of our farmhouse chicken coop. We look forward to making memories as a family raising our very own little feathered friends.
Finding the right chicken coop for us
For a couple of years we have been dreaming of having chickens of our own. We searched high and low for chicken coop plans that would be a good fit. Eventually we made a plan to build a custom one ourselves! While away one weekend, we stumbled upon a shed company that had the most charming shed/coops for sale! I fell in love with the character and had never seen sheds like this before!
We contacted the company owner and with his help, designed our very own chicken coop (in this 3D builder). It looks just like a little dollhouse by our garden! I could not love it more, and would highly recommend this company for their quick turn around and quality work. Topshed Utah creates greenhouses, sheds, coops and playhouses. They even sell darling raised cedar box garden beds. Here is the company info for contact:
TOP SHED UTAH Contact CLICK HERE Website CLICK HERE Email: Topshedutah@gmail.com
Now that our coop is installed, we have big plans for the interior. We want to add a loft shelf up top for some storage space. We’ll then add roosting bars for the chickens, an automatic door to let them in and out. Well add a large, closed in run on the south side for the chickens to roam.
Coop measurments and features:
- Coop size, 8X14 with a 12/12 roof pitch
- Nesting box with 6 spots for laying eggs and a latch for holding the door open while gathering
- Automatic door from coop to run
- Loft shelf for storage
- Half wall with wire to allow us to enter the coop without the chickens coming in and out. Storage shelf, food and supplies will be easily accessible here
- Screened windows for allowing in light and fresh air
- Lock combo door
- Cupola for added character to the roof
We knew we wanted a larger coop for our chickens because we have 22! We wanted plenty of space for our little feathered-friends to be happy, healthy and comfortable. In our area there are coyotes, raccoons, badgers, hawks and foxes, so we knew we needed a coop/run combo that would keep them very safe.
Future plans:
I am working on plans for the front of the coop and finding a way to help it tie into our garden with a brick path of some kind. I would love to cut a path leading to the nesting box, as well as to the side of the coop to the door. This will leave me a space of grass I can replace with a growing area for flowers or herbs.
The north side of the shed also has an area we could extend the garden for either a cut flower garden, corn or strawberry patch. I even thought adding some cherry bushes (like this) or an elderberry might be fun. I am still deciding the best way to use this area, but I am thrilled to plant something here by the coop!
First time chicken owners
We are first time chicken owners and learning so much! We ordered a variety of unique chickens from 2 different hatcheries here in the USA. Our chickens have been living in a galvanized bed with a heat lamp and a cozy wood chip floor. They are growing quickly and we are excited to finish our coop so we can get them moved out to their cozy new home.
Thank you for stopping by our home and garden today! Stay tuned for progress on our farmhouse chicken coop, our plans for finishing the inside, and our garden area that is ever changing and evolving!
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Such a darling chicken coop. I love the added cupola. A pleasure visiting. Happy Labor Day weekend.