After sadly losing two of my original four chickens (Daisy & Charlotte) in 2021, Emmylou and Frances (who celebrated their 7th birthday last May) seemed ready to share their nest. Knowing that they would not live forever, I wanted to provide them with lots of younger siblings, which required a new coop and large run to keep everyone safe from predators.
After endless hours on Pinterest searching for ideas, construction began in mid-June of last year by my trusted craftsmen, Freddi and his dad, Carlos—all based on a photo from my phone. In triple-digit heat, these two heroes completed the house just in time for the much-delayed move-in date of late July.
My menagerie includes Delilah (a Barred Rock), Hope (a Blue Breasted Brown Leghorn), Marigold (a Buff Orpington), Doris Day (a Delaware) and Trixie (an Araucana). Now all my girls are living their best lives in their new dream house!
— Angela Jackson, Napa, California
This article originally appeared in the Nov./Dec. 2023 issue of Chickens magazine as a “Cool Coop” feature. Have a cool coop you’d like to share? Email us a short write-up (~250 to 500 words) about your chicken coop along with a few images to chickens@chickensmagazine.com with the subject line One Cool Coop, and include your name and mailing address. Check out Chickens magazine for current prizes and contest rules.
