Remember last spring when I told you I wanted chickens? Since then I’ve taken a class on chicken keeping, read everything on the whole internet about backyard chickens (almost), and Daniel reluctantly gave me the go ahead! This spring I’m working with my dad to build a coop and run. Five little chicks will be arriving in June! I’m kind of obsessing over the whole thing. Daniel is worried that I’m going to be a crazy chicken lady for the rest of my life, but I keep reassuring him that it’s just the thrill of the chase, and once the chickens are mine I’ll calm down about the whole thing. This is how much I’m over-planning…
I carefully chose the chicken breeds I want, making sure to incorporate a variety of feather colors and patterns and an assortment of egg colors and shapes. Hen names are in the works.
I cut card stock into miniature sheets of plywood and two-by-fours…
…and made a scale model of the coop and run I’m hoping to make.
(complete with functioning egg collection door)
Also, I drew this while watching TV the other night, probably because I am totally bonkers.
This is awesome.
And I’m jealous – my city doesn’t yet allow residential chicken coops. Please keep updating and I’ll live vicariously through you.
This just made me so happy. That coop model? Awesome.
Ok, this is fantastic! I absolutely love that you created a model coop, and that egg collection door is just genius. This totally made my day!
So if you plant the model and water it will it grow to full size? Be sure to bring it when I see you Sunday.
We can try it! ;)
How exciting!! That coop model is incredible – just saying! Keep the updates coming, I can’t wait to see how everything goes.
My mom actually took the plug and got chickens last spring. She made her own chicken coop and everything and it turned out really awesome. She gets eggs everyday now, one of the chicks turned out to be a rooster and he is so mean. Other than that it is good. I love your sketch at the beginning!
Carlee
Little Sloth
Your Mom is sweet for keeping the mean rooster! If I end up with a rooster it will have to go to a new home since they aren’t allowed in the city here.
Absolutely gorgeous….think your chooks will be very happy…and sooooo loved!
hooray! i’m so happy for you. I also harbored a dream of having chicks – i will live vicariously through yours! so exciting!!!
How exciting! From what I’ve heard, it’s amazing to be able to raise chickens. All I can think about is fresh eggs! When I move away from the city, I’m definitely looking into it. Totally random, my uncle actually invented something called the Chicken Fountain. You can Google it– it’s supposed to help “water” your chickens and keep their water safe for them to drink. Not exactly sure about much beyond that, but feel free to shoot me an email and I can connect you!
Daniel got me something similar to the chicken fountain for Christmas—awesome that your uncle invented that! The things I have are called “chicken nipples”. Who could resist a product with that name? ;) Same basic thing as the chicken fountain. Hopefully they work!
The sketches, the model coop, it’s just so you. I think you’ll have a grand time owning chickens!
Haha this is amazing!! I keep daydreaming about having chickens one day, which worries my boyfriend. We’re just renting now, so he’s safe for the time being… I can’t wait to hear about your experience (and their names)!
This is amazing and hilarious! I like the feather and egg colour planning. You’re a thinker! Good Luck!
Ha ha, this made me laugh, especially your last drawing! I love how much effort you’re putting into planning – that coop is brilliant!
This is absolutely amazing! Ironically, the roles are reversed in my house. My husband has finally convinced me on adding chickens to the family and this post totally solidified it!
PS- Your doodles are amazing!
I’m glad I could help your husband out in his chicken quest! ;)
I love that illustration. I’d love to have chickens too but on a very naive level… I’ve no idea how much work they are!
I’ll let you know once I have some hands on experience! :)
Hey! Have you heard about the moveable/mobile chicken coops?
Yes, they look awesome! Sadly we don’t have enough room for one, since the have to be moved often if you don’t want the chickens to eat all your grass.
I love this! Once I have a yard I totally want chickens and I’m sure my fiance will think I’m just as crazy ;) Have fun when your chicks arrive!!
This post made me laugh so much – especially that last picture. Good luck with the chicken keeping! That looks like an awesome coop.
Haha, right on! I love your paper model chicken coop. We raised our own backyard chicken flock last year, and I’m loving (almost) every minute.
I’m guessing the minutes you didn’t love involved poo cleaning. ;)
You will LOVE it! I’ve had chickens for 3 years now & I am convinced that they are the most hilarious creatures on earth. I have chicken coop pics if you’d like me to share them with you! Actually, you can just go to my etsy shop & click on the “About” section. We are weirdly alike. And yes, I’m well aware how creepy I sound. haha. If you need a Chicken 101, let me know. I can answer any crazy chicken questions :) GOOD LUCK!
Oh my gosh, your coop is gorgeous! I just pinned it. :) I’m in love with little window box. Freaking adorable. I’ll definitely let you know if I have any chicken questions! Thanks Lara!
You’re finally getting them! The coop looks awesome! You should make other mini things just because they’re so cute. You’ll have to keep us posted on how the chicken maintenance is… fresh eggs sound amazing!
I will definitely keep you posted!
Looks fantastic – from personal experience make sure you have a latch on the egg door! Raccoons, cats, and other animals will easily get into the hen house and kill your chickens if you do not have latched doors! – Also make sure they have a roost off of the floor – a 2X4 will work if it is turned so that the 2” side is up. Best of luck to you raising chickens is really fun!
Will do Crista, thanks for the tips!
Love this! We have had chickens for almost two years now and they’re so fun. With all the research you’ve done, you probably know that Silkies are not very smart. Ours could never figure out how to get into the coop (and was the only one we had to get killed). We have Americaunas (tan & blue eggs!) & a Brahma (grey eggs). They all lay pretty well. Beware that some of the “trendy” breeds don’t lay as often. Good luck! Your coop looks amazing!!
Thanks for the advice Kristin! I didn’t realize Brahma’s laid grey eggs—so cool. I’m glad to hear you’ve enjoyed keeping chickens. I am a little nervous about the silkies! I debated whether or not to get them for a while. I mostly want them because I’ve heard they are generally pretty friendly and obviously they are cute, but I have heard they are quite stupid. :) Did yours go broody often?
Obviously Gus for a name, and I am cracking up thinking about the letters you had to write as a kid to get pets. Did your dad make you write one to help make the coop?
soooo i just found your blog via a recipe on pinterest and i must say that your talent inspires me so so much! it makes me want to start drawing!! kudos for being so amazing!!
xo
This is HILARIOUS. I went through the exact same thing last year. I designed the coop (after researching for months) and my dad built it. I set out to get 6 chickens, which turned into 8 because there are just SOOOO many beautiful, fun chicken breeds to choose from. This is how crazy I am…this Spring my dad is building an addition onto the coop so I can get 4 more babies in March. Let’s be honest though, I’ll probably end up with 6 ;)