Last weekend my parents kindly came down for a visit, and Dad helped P build the chicken coop.
We decided in the end to convert the existing shadehouse. I wasn’t using it for anything worthwhile and all the ornamentals hanging in there were being badly neglected. More importantly, it was an existing structure that didn’t need too much in the way of modifications.
The first thing that the coop needed was weatherproofing. Most importantly, it needed a roof. Luckily Bunnings had a 50% off special on Laserlite roofing, and seeing as we planned to buy the stuff regardless, that was a major bonus. The other requirements were that it needed enclosing, so we needed to construct a door, and enclose the whole thing with wire.
Mum and Dad also brought down the old nesting boxes from the chicken coop I grew up with. They are a whole lotta ugly, but hold so many memories for me – I’m thrilled to have them as part of the coop.
The kids had a great time helping.Little D had his hands in everything, and J really just loved talking non-stop with Nan. The whole project was rather more involved that I imagined, and the retrieval of materials took up a good portion of the morning. So Dad really only had time to finish the roofing and mount a post before running out of daylight.
The next day J helped P roll out the wire and start to enclose the coop. He very carefully dug away the ground and buried the wire underneath in order to stop the chickens digging their way out, and also to stop any enterprising foxes. I’m pretty sure the chickens will be safe now!
So yesterday P finished off the last of the coop. We have a rudimentary door and a coop fully enclosed with chicken wire.
The chickens have been living out there during the day and coming in at night. So far they seem to really like it.
I have ordered a treadle feeder from Chooktred and some nipple waterers from Hatchers and Catchers, which should arrive this coming week. That should provide a longer-lasting feeding/watering solution that the current arrangement, whereby we refill food and water twice a day.
We are really starting to see the different personalities come out in the chicks. The Australorp in particular is a bit of a bully, but when she doesn’t get her way, she’s also a top class whinger! Now I just want the chickies to hurry up and grow – frankly I’m pretty sick of the house smelling foul, and I want me some eggs!
500m2 in Sydney 
I love that old layer box, it’s fantastic, not ugly at all 🙂
Your chicks are growing. How many do you have? And what breeds are they?
Thanks GB 🙂
We have 5 chicks. 1 Australorp, 2 Rhode Island Reds and 2 Rhode Island Red/ White Leghorn cross breeds.
My treadle feeder arrived this morning, so we are almost set!
We did the whole ‘raise the chicks in the house’ thing. Weird when you hear a rooster crow from the other side of the bedroom door as you’re walking down the hall. I really hope that you bought sexed chicks… rehousing roosters is a drama and a half.
A rooster crowing in the house – LOL!
Yes, we did buy sexed chicks, with a replacement guarantee 🙂 I think we’d have a neighbourhood war on our hands after the first crow!
I too love the layer box, funnily enough I was at my parents place the other day and found their old one (wooden) and I was wondering if i could use it for anything. Not chickens though we don’t have enough space unfortunately…..at least until the kids get too big for the lawn and I can convert it into something exciting….
It is wonderful to have a bit of your history and childhood with you. Your chooks look very happy!
Aw, thanks Mrs Bok! They are eating lots of grubs and growing in front of our eyes. They will be out in the coop for good next week.