"Reinventing the Chicken Coop" a review

Photos by Erin Kunkle

I just received this book in the mail from my friends at Storey Publishing – Reinventing the Chicken Coop 14 Original Designs with Step-by-Step Building Instructions by Matthew Wolpe and Kevin McElroy

It is amazing there are so many different kinds of coops - coops with gardens on the roof, spiral staircases, built in composting system, even the coop pictured above with a V shaped roof to collect rain water called Chick-In-A-Box (page 94). Each coop design has very detailed step-by-step plans with really helpful illustrations. I think just by looking at these photos you will be inspired to rethink your coop. I am. See on the picture below what the authors call “the water catchment system” – awesome. It’s a V shaped roof and a funnel that leads into the coop to water the hens. “The simple water catchment system collects runoff water from the lower end of the roof’s valley flashing and diverts it to a pan inside the coop”, ok that’s brilliant. I was once told that farmers are really problem solvers, they have to be. Here is the proof.

The book itself is has great pictures and very easy to follow directions with detailed drawings. My mom called this book the DWELL for chicken coops; I’m not exactly sure what she means except that the coops are well designed. She says, “Equal parts utility and style”. That’s true. The book is also labels each design: beginner, intermediate and advanced. This is really helpful before you get started and jump in.

The opening chapter of the book is called Chicken Coop Essentials. This is a great chapter with really useful information: General space requirements, coop and run setups, definitions of deep bedding, guidelines for roosts, nesting boxes, protection from predators / rodents, and ventilation to name a few. This isn’t just a how to build a coop book, it is a great chicken raising book for your library.

One of my favorite things to see was on page 91 the use of corrugated clear plastic for roofing. This is what I use on my outdoor run because in the winter in New England our hens need 14+ hours of light and it would be terribly expensive to keep the lights on that long, so the clear roof plus lights enables my hens to have plenty of light.

> Check out this book, it is very inspirational and has lots useful and helpful information. Also Storey Publishing has been super awesome to offer a copy of this book to one of the readers of this review. Leave a comment on the Happy Chickens FB (search Happy Chickens on Facebook)  and I will randomly pick a person  to get a copy of this book from Storey.

photo from justfinedesignbuild

Look at these coops

Winterizing the coop

I've been asked what I do to winterize my flock and coop. Here are a few of the things I do:

1. Add Cracked Corn to their feed. They LOVE it! and it is helps keep their body temperature up.

2. I use heated dog bowls for their water, I find them much easier to use than the heated bases and metal watering towers.

3. I wrap my the outdoor part of my coop in heavy plastic so that they can still go outside. They need as much sunlight as possible during the day. By wrapping the coop it turns into a little cozy, sunny greenhouse.

4. I add more mealworms to what I give them each day. It makes them really happy.

5. I obviously go out to the coop every day, but during the freezing times I may go more often and I inspect each bird to make sure their combs and feet are ok

6. Check for drafts and fill them.

7. I also use deep bedding for the indoor coop. I think of it like a big blanket for them!

I think that is about it, if I remember anything else I will add it. Oh, don't worry your eggs shouldn't freeze.

Please let me know if you do something else that would be helpful to list.

Later

COOL Green Roof Chicken Coop

The garden-on-top design keeps your flock warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and even provides sound insulation in rainstorms. This coop is appropriate for two to three chickens, perfect for providing eggs for a small family.

Chicken coop inspiration

I am designing a new outdoor run for my hens. I want to be sure that they get plenty of sun in the winter months. My understanding is that they need several hours a day. When I tell people I am going to put sky lights in my chicken coop they laugh. Maybe I will just use this clear plastic material instead.

Chicken Coops - a few suggestions

Here is one suggestion for an outside coop - A Moveable Coop
Nice pre made solution (but expensive)- The Omlet
Here are some nice suggestions - BYO
I am interested in freecycling so think it is possible to freecycle your way to a great coop.

Be very careful of predators, It is hard to get them to give up after they see your chickens because they want dinner. You also want to have a small door to let them in and out of in the morning and at night. That door should be very secure so when you shoo them in at night they won't get eaten and so they don't get cold.

I think the essential things for creating a coop that will make your chickens happy are:
1-a coop that allows for natural sunlight
2-a place for them to perch
3-individual private and comfy nesting boxes
4-a very secure run and coop to keep predators out
5-easy to clean and easy access to eggs
6-draft free
7-protection from cold and sun (an indoor area)
8-each bird should have 4cubic feet per bird
9-room for dust bathing (can happen in a bucket)s

Here is a good book to read Building Chicken Coops