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| Red Chicken Coop, image courtesy of Southernliving.com |
A chicken coop/building is on our project list for the farm. Of course, that's a bit further down the road but we won't let it stop us from researching ideas and such and this is just one of those.
This is a nice set up. They built a small (and nice) building and then enlclosed the side yard on all sides and the top. I guess those hens aren't going anywhere. So this give us ideas, where we might incorporate one or more of them and come up with our own plan. One thing we know without a doubt is that our barn and all outbuildings will be red and white.
Addendum: Dani asked about American barns being red, a couple years ago, I did some research and created THIS POST about it, if anyone is curious.
Addendum: Dani asked about American barns being red, a couple years ago, I did some research and created THIS POST about it, if anyone is curious.
Be inspired!
That is something I have noticed about American farm outbuildings - the majority of them are red :) I wonder what the history is in that regard?
ReplyDeleteDani, because you asked, and I didn't think about posting it, I updated the post above to include the link to a blog entry I did a couple years ago about why barns in America are so often that red color. Hope you enjoy!
DeleteI've actually been told (I don't know how true it is) that red barns are cow barns and black barns are horse barns. It's true, there are a lot of black barns in Kentucky, so maybe at one point that color scheme was true, as well.
DeleteNow that is fascinating, I had no idea. I will have to check that out. I bet a black barn is strikingly beautiful. Thanks!!
Deletei live in a constant state of chicken envy.
ReplyDelete"Chicken envy" I LOVE it! Ditto here!
DeleteIt's a lovely little building and run.... very picturesque.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!!
DeleteThanks to link re red barns. Our barns and animal chalets are all red. When building your coop have the run high enough for you to stand in as that way more comfortable for you cleaning it out.and getting the poop which is perfect for the garden.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder, thank you for that! We're still probably two years away, but we're working toward that.
DeleteLooks great and the top on the run is a must have due to predators.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your barn paint story.
I liked that feature too. Thanks!!
DeleteI, too, had the thought that the run should be high enough for a person to walk upright inside. And as Gail said, the top isn't so much to keep the chickens in, as to keep predators out. Carol
ReplyDeleteYeah, it seemed sort of low to me too, but definitely worthwhile to keep the 'overhead' predators from coming.
DeleteIt looks awesome. Love the red & white. Another thought would be to also put a border at the bottom because there are predators that can dig into the coop and cause havoc. When thinking about this coop also think about the location in that the summer sun is on the north side. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRed and white is something we've always planned on having. Just so natural for a farm. I've heard that about digging predators too. The spot we have planned for it, someday, has the sun n the North side, yay! :-) Thanks for the info.
DeleteLots of good tips above. Location is important as our hen house is in sun during summer and in shade through winter. The previous owners also built it on a slope so that when we get heavy rain, it gets flooded. We have done lots of work-a-rounds with our hen house.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions, thanks...I will have to keep those ideas in mind. Thanks!!
DeleteWe stick with red and white at the Double Up too, including red metal roofing - the hens are mostly free range, but their enclosed run (22 x 48) is big enough for us to be in with them when the hawks are migrating through and enjoy a bit a hen snack. Lately, they seem to prefer the hay barn to their Chicken Mansion and have suggested we turn it into a hen palace for them. As we say every single day "Oh those hens...."
ReplyDeleteOh, red metal roofing would be gorgeous I bet. 2nd Family lets theirs free range while they are outside to watch them. I love that phrase "oh those hans...." I'll have to tell 2nd Family to start saying that, ha.
DeleteVery nice, think I'll be adding this to the dream file.
ReplyDeleteDream file, love it! We had a dream binder (still do actually) of stuff we printed out and then digital files that get transferred from computer to computer over the years. Now with this blog, I can keep track of things we want to do in an easier format.
Deletego to 'richsoil.com' and read what he says about movable fence and chicken pasturage. good info.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for that link. It's some great info. I will bookmark that for more reading. Thanks again!!
DeleteWhy barns are Red in color
ReplyDeleteMany years ago, choices for paints, sealers and other building materials did not exist. Farmers had to be resourceful in finding or making a paint that would protect and seal the wood on their barns. Hundreds of years ago, many farmers would seal their barns with linseed oil, which is an orange-colored oil derived from the seeds of the flax plant. To this oil, they would add a variety of things, most often milk and lime, but also ferrous oxide, or rust. Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed fungi and mosses that might grow on barns, was very effective as a sealant. It turned the mixture red in color.
When paint became more available, many people chose red paint for their barns in honor of tradition.
Thanks for that! I love when people gather great info and share it. You are awesome!
DeleteLove the red and white chicken coop! That fenced-in yard and top will be great protection when hawks and other critters appear. I sadly lost a half-grown kitten to a red-tailed hawk one Fall when I lived in the country.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, a kitten? Yikes! I would be traumatized. 2nd Family said the hawks have tried a couple of times to get one of the hens while they are free ranging but the dogs chase them off. Kind of cool that the dogs protect the hens, ha.
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