I'm nervous.
But it's pretty solid all the way around...and steel mesh well covered and screwed in on the bottom as well as dug into and covering the ground! Now the last thing left to do is to insulate the roof and devise a better way to hang feeders and waterers - ah well for now cable ties will do!
We went with wood despite my misgivings about it - because colourbond/tin etc would get too hot in summer. We've treated the wood with a natural pyrethrum product specifically for coops, so no mites can live in it but it will need to be an on-going prevention, meanwhile I'm planting all around it with the mosquito repellent plant, rosemary, lavender, wormwood, lemon verbena...all the things that bugs don't like! Hurriedly took a few planters from elsewhere in the garden and stuck them around the coop, they look good there I think!
Can't wait for the weekend so that I can get more planting in and do more with the coop and the girls!
They didn't know how to flap up to the doorway to the roost so I had to place them in there tonight, I figure another week on and they'll work it out! In a few days I'll get them out to free range whilst I'm home - they should have worked out where 'home' is by then and be able to find their way back in.
I'm so looking forward to planting sunflowers and hollyhocks all the way around the coop :)
Won't get much sleep tonight, I'm sure I'll be up every hour racing down the garden to check anxiously on the chooks. Wicked fox stay away!!
That is simply gorgeous Mrs Bok! Did you design it yourself?
ReplyDeleteI would love a little coop like yours, but I'm not sure we're handy enough.
L
The coop is awesome. Looks so great. I agree the window boxes/planters look really good around the coop. I also like the sheep near the coop. Great work. How did it go overnight.
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the coop! It looks wonderful! I'm crossing my fingers those foxes don't get in! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful coop. I would like to live in it..lol I hope that fox stays away. fyi urine does work to keep foxes away.well it did for us..lol
ReplyDeleteThe girls will love living there. It's looks great and it looks fox-proof which is even more important. I love the idea of the fragrant herbs around the coop.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful home for your girls! It sounds like you have every possible precaution in place so I'm sure they'll be very safe and happy :)
ReplyDeleteThis coop is gorgeous! Fingers crossed it keeps the foxs at bay. I would also be on ioght watch wondering...waiting. I can picture all the beautiful sunflowers standing tall around your coop.
ReplyDeletexoxox
Kellie.
Yay! And what a cute little coop. Sunflowers will look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLooking great Mrs B! Im sure your girls will be very safe and happy in there!
ReplyDeleteOur coop / roost is wood too and we just dust it with lice/mite powder every time we clean out the straw under the roost and the nesting box. We have had no blood sucking incidents to date! *cross fingers*
Isn't this time of year exciting! Im planning my flowers too. The red sunflowers would look great with your coop!!!
It looks lovely and once you have some plants in it will be the perfect chook house.
ReplyDeleteadorable coop..looks locked up tight to me
ReplyDeleteI love the coop!!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Especially love the flowers you have potted around it. They will be very happy... and safe I'm sure. gxo
ReplyDeleteWell, Mrs. Bok, the chicken master in the Garden Spot approves of your coop. And I like your list of plants to plant around the coop. We are nearing the end of our growing season, but it is a good time to still plant perennials, so I may plant your list of bug repellent plants. Good Luck. Looks good.
ReplyDeletehow wonderful! you've made it look so pretty! I hope everyone is ok.
ReplyDeleteThe coop look absolutely gorgeous. Keeping my fingers crossed that the foxes stay away.
ReplyDeleteThat looks lovely, let's hope the fox keeps away.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love it. I was just disappointed that it wasn't something we could buy somewhere, because we want one just like it!!
ReplyDeleteHallo! Thank you all very much :) I had to show the girls again where to go to roost tonight but I think they're happy in there. The weather has been perfect for their first few nights in the coop outside!
ReplyDeleteThe fox came back last night, saw signs of digging!! But haha it couldn't get it! Hooray!
Before it rains lots (forecast for late week and weekend booooo) I'll have to put down bark and rice hulls on the coop floor. Seems such a shame to cover up and thereby kill their grass but better that than provide an environment for cocci. Looking forward to letting the girls out to free range too.
Looks lovely! I'm pretty sure they're happy with their new home! Enjoy the fabulous day, Kellie xx
ReplyDeleteThat coop looks impenetratable, great work! The fox tried to get in but now he may look elsewhere for easier prey.I hope the chooks are happy in their super dooper coop!
ReplyDeletePerfect! I also hope that the fox stays away. That is such a beautiful and functional coop.
ReplyDeleteOh, your chicken coop is adorable! (as are your chookies!). I imagine they are delighted with their new abode :)
ReplyDeleteHens are smart! Your hen house is gorgeous. Prayers for safety and no fox visits!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic what you've done. It's such a happy and cheery space, those hens will be delighted to lay many eggs for you.
ReplyDeleteI think it's marvelous that you've focused on the positive and taken learnings from your experience.
Keep up the good work.
Cheryl
Their new home looks gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMartin
Brilliant!!! Good riddance to the fox!! Love every thing about it. The wood finish is beautiful too. Insulating is def a must,my husband used it in the castle and it really makes a difference. I've currently got 24 eggs in an incubator (placed 1 wk ago) and have never tried this before, I am very nervous but hoping for the best. Take care yolanda
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your new coop and I'm so glad that you have a new flock!
ReplyDelete