Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Adding a new run and patio to the Taj Mahal

When I needed a chicken coop, we decided to buy one
instead of make one. You can see it here.
After building the run, here,we decided to add an open porch, here.
Bet you thought we were through didn't you?
We did too. We watched a lot of chicken tv out there
and really enjoy the covered porch.
But we or should I say, I thought the chickens needed
more space to run around since we don't let them out in the yard.
So we decided to give up our porch and enclose it into
another run for the flock.
And this is what we came up with.


Of course we wanted a nice place to sit and watch everyone
so we added a little patio.
Later on we might add an umbrella for shade
but for right now it's working out fine.


We kept the door we had on the inside
so if we needed to divide the runs that
would be an easy solution.



The chicks are really enjoying the extra space.
Lots of running and scratching going on.

Of course you know an extra run means extra decorating.
I decided to add a handpainted chicken window to the new run.
I think they can relate to it.
Kinda like an ancestor portrait.

Since they had more room in the run I
moved the food out of the coop and into the run.
This also gives them more room inside the coop.
Especially since I've added the three chickens that
Bouffant hatched late winter early spring.


Molly likes to investigate.
She's one of the reasons the chickens are not allowed in the yard.
She's a sweetie, but I think she would eat them!


I remembered that I had a tray in storage
that I had painted about 25 yrs. ago.
And so being a chicken I thought it would fit in quite well in the run.


And of course a little landscaping had to be done.
Here are just a few things I did.
A little hosta and wood ferns.

I'm hoping these nasturtiums will grow up the wire on the run.
We'll see. I've read that chickens really like them.


A little mint for them,
and me.

And lastly, a wire rooster that I've had for years.
Long before I had real chickens. 
Filled with a pot of geraniums.

Hope you liked the tour of our new run.
And the flashbacks of where we began.

I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1,2

Feel free to comment. I love to read them.

10 comments:

  1. I love the new run! All your landscaping is a great touch too. Your chickens pretty much have the best life ever. :-)

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  2. That is the cutest chicken coop I've ever seen! Lucky chickens :)

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  3. Love the handpainted chicken window. We put two chairs down by our coop too where we could watch "chicken tv".
    www.lucysnashvillenest.com

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  4. Sweet Lyn, I love your creativeness, and your love for our Lord! Wish we were neighbors! Also, loved your ancestrial portrait for your chickens! Made me laugh out loud when I read your comment! You're a delight! God bless you!

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    1. Thanks so much. I wish we were neighbors too. Peace be with you.

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  5. Your coop is decorated cuter than my house! lol

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  6. I'm sure the chickens love it. I do too!

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  7. Hi Lyn, I absolutely love the chicken run, but I am thinking about building something like for my cat. Do you have a rough idea on the material costs for this. She would love to have a place where she could get outside and watch the birds. Thanks in advance!

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    1. Glad you like it. The run probably cost around 1600-1700.00. That includes the big pavers we put around the run and the patio. We also used a large amount of sand in the run. Probably 40 bags. That area seems to flood so the sand helps with that. It's amazing how much wood cost. We used 1/2" hardware cloth which is also expensive. You could probably use chicken wire instead that wouldn't cost as much. We also bought 2 vinyl screen doors. There may be a cheaper way but this is how we did it and we provided all the labor.The coop was readymade by leonard buildings. It was 1000.00. As my husband has said numerous times this is an expensive hobby. To start with anyway. Even so we both enjoy them so much. Now that the building is done the only expense is feed and treats. Hope this helped. Good luck.

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  8. That is about the cutest thing I've seen.
    My chickens run around our place during the day...they have a little bit of decor here and there. But mostly-- it's just a chicken hotel. They're out traveling most of the day and only come into the coop/run for a comfy next box during the day and safe place to sleep at night.
    Such a cute coop...I bet your chickies appreciate it so much!
    ...came here from Catch as Catch Can, Pat

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