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A chicken has adopted us

Meet Molly. She's been a visitor to our backyard for a while but in the last week she has been roosting on our deck and tapping at our back windows and sneaking inside when we're not looking. She is hilarious and also needs company I think.

Yesterday we found these

Resized_20210306_175536(3).jpeg

We're worried about her sleeping in the open and also the amount of poo on the deck is something else. So we bought and put together this coop and have put it where she's sleeping in the hope she'll get used to it then we can move it down the yard.

The coop seems really small though. Maybe I should DIY a bigger coop. And get her some friends. Any suggestions?

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Comments

MitchellMc

It's great to hear about your new guest @pepsp.

My young daughter now has a fascination with chickens, and I'm contemplating getting a couple. Not only are they a fantastic source of guilt-free eggs, but I'm sure they are a marvellous learning experience for a child.

The coop is perfect for housing her at night, but at least a short run would be a nice addition for quality of life. It should be relatively easy to construct with chicken wire, stakes and some wire ties.

Here are a few discussions you might like to read through:

Coop life - backyard chickens by @mich1972

D.I.Y. chicken coop by @Caron

Chicken nesting box by @Wayne

Let me mention @Caron and @mich1972 to see if they have some ideas on creating a simple run.

Mitchell

mich1972

Molly is very lucky to have you @pepsp 🥰 She will need a friend so she is not lonely. Coop is good.

mich1972

@pepsp They need a run it’s not good to keep them caged. Think of the coop as a sleeping and nesting area only. They need room to move. Just make a temporary fence around it that you can move if you are planning on moving the coop around.

Be prepared for your beautiful lawn to be dug up, trust me, it doesn’t take long.

redracer01

Hello @pepsp

Hows about a chiken hotel?

Red

pepsp coop1.jpg pepsp coop2.jpg pepsp coop3.jpg pepsp coop4.jpg pepsp coop5.jpg pepsp coop6.jpg

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/12501#Comment_12501

That certainly is the Taj Mahal of chicken hotels @redracer01! You'd be one lucky chicken if that were a place to call home. I really like the elevated roosting boxes, as they are a perfect height for collecting eggs.

Many thanks for sharing.

Mitchell

pepsp

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/12501#Comment_12501

Wow @redracer01 ! The Taj ma coop! We can have a maximum of 5 chickens and an enclosure of up to 15m2 without an approval. So the hotel could work!!

Elisha007

Hi 😁

I think it's a really beautiful thing you've done by taking her in and looking after her. She definitely sounds like she's comfy with you and trusts you.

Looks like she's saying thanks by the looks of the pressies she left you (the eggs).

Good luck with the chicken coop 👍

Caron

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/12461#Comment_12461

Oh @redracer01 - I'm contacting you when I do Coupe-de-ville Mark 11 .... that looks amazing!

Welcome to the world of owning chickens - Molly will definitely need company - they are a very social animal and have their own heirachy within the coop. They will need space to either free range or have a decent run. I started with two and now have seven - all different breeds (rescues) and absolutely love them - they are fun, entertaining and very intelligent.

Love to hear / get an update on how Molly is going - apologies for the late response!

redracer01

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/69185#Comment_69185

Hello @Caron

Not to worry just drop me a line here on workshop and I will be more than happy to plan you a two story chicken mansion!

Cheers,

Red

pepsp

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/97590#Comment_97590

So it's been about 8 months since we set up a tiny coop for Molly, our accidental chicken. With a lockdown for inspiration I have made a taj ma coop for Molly, and recently we've added Daisy and Clara to the flock.

mostly finished chook house with recycled weather boards, decking offcuts, recycled bearers and old laundry door cut down to fit the smaller height.

Chook run for 3 chooks including newly installed netting along neighbouring fence line to stop the escapologists from meeting the dog next door.

Clara and Daisy the new girls

Molly our accidental chicken

Nesting box mostly finished

Heres a picture of the frame in progress with diagonals to make it sturdy. I also added cross braces in the skillion roof to make it nice and solid.

The thinking was if the chickens leave then it will be a good garden shed.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116070#Comment_116070

Hi @pepsp

Thank you so much for the update. It's good to know Molly is in good health and has friends now. The Taj Ma Coop looks great! I am a great believer in using recycled materials for projects. What kind of panel did you use for the coop? Is it PVC house cladding? Using the old laundry door is a great idea. I'm glad you provided a mesh window near the door, it should be more than enough to ventilate the coop. Do you have any other projects lined up? Please don't hesitate to share them.

We look forward to seeing your next creation.

Eric

pepsp

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126023#Comment_126023

Hi @EricL

Yes, old PVC house cladding. You get a bit more of an idea in this picture. We've given them a good scrub since then!

I also added a side door made from marine ply and pine decking. Once finished an automatic (solar and battery powered) coop door will be installed on the side door. Down the track we might also add a fully enclosed run for if we go away for a night.

KatieC

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132678#Comment_132678

@pepsp Congratulations on such an incredible coop! I am sure your chickens are very happy.

Are they friendly? Do they like to be held? We are looking at getting a couple in the new year.

Katie

pepsp

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136758#Comment_136758

Molly our leghorn is a unique individual. I wouldn't say friendly exactly. She's not a big fan of pats and only gets picked up when she sneaks into the house or decides to roost somewhere random.

The new girls are still wary of us and definitely don't enjoy being picked up, but we will win them over with food and treats eventually! Right now the biggest issue is Daisy and Clara don't seem to remember where bed is so if we haven't locked them up by 7pm they go off on adventures.

KatieC

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139559#Comment_139559

Hi @pepsp

I am sure you will win them over soon, even with a strict bedtime.

Katie

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