My first mostly natural chicken coop/house

Hey guys, I would like to get some chickens for eggs and to clear my vegetable patch this Autumn.
But before I get them I need to sort out some accommodation.
I don't have much money but luckily I have a coppiced tree and some old wood lying around.
I'll post photos of my gradual progress here for anyone who is interested.

I used the coppiced tree branches to build the frame and supports and screwed them together.
always pre drill holes slightly smaller than your screws to avoid splitting the wood.


I made the nesting box with particle/fibre board using these dimensions


I also painted the outside with exterior paint for some weather resistance


The lid was made with old pallet wood


I have now put in some perches and a frame for the chicken door


I'm not sure how I'm going to build the roof maybe a thatched cone.
The walls are going to be woven bamboo and cob which is the only upside of having a heavy clay soil.

That looks cool! I can't wait to see what it looks like with cob walls and a thatched roof.

Your frame is so pretty that I would have a hard time covering it!
I am learning that my chickens really need good ventilation.. the night respiration can really steam up their space if air can't move easily. You may already know that, so forgive me. IT is just easier to retrofit vents in a wooden wall (like I had to do) than a cob one!

Zenais Buck wrote:Your frame is so pretty that I would have a hard time covering it!
I am learning that my chickens really need good ventilation.. the night respiration can really steam up their space if air can't move easily. You may already know that, so forgive me. IT is just easier to retrofit vents in a wooden wall (like I had to do) than a cob one!

That's a good point Zenais
I have already planned to use galvanised steel mesh along the bottom on one side and also on the ceiling with an air gap between the ceiling and roof.
In fact you've inspired me to get it done now, I'll post more pics after.
Hopefully that will provide enough ventilation to keep them cool at night.

I can't wait to see the pictures! I think damp is worse than cool, so the mesh parts will be helpful. Best of luck!

One mesh vent done now I need find some more local green wood or bamboo to put the cob onto.

I finally got off my bum and found some bamboo for the walls



Not long now untill the fun part ( Playing in the mud )

That looks great!

Finally got off my bum and did some cobbing.
It looks good now but we'll have to wait untill it dries to see if the dreaded cracks appear.





Now we're coming into winter on this side of the planet I'll have to keep a tarp over it untill I can build a decent roof.