When we built the chicken coop, it was always in the plans to extend the run in the future. Now that the summer veggies have been removed leaving more room in the garden, it’s time to give our growing girls some extra space to stretch their legs. The idea was to give them a completely open-air space to give them the feeling that they’re outside without allowing them to roam free in the garden.
My dad, Gary, and I decided to make a simple structure out of split 1 5/8″x6″x12′ pressure treated lumber and chicken wire. He made a lid that can removed easily by twisting four little latches and lifting it off. It rests on the rounded edge of the lumber that was trimmed off the sides of the 12′ board. He just tacked them around the interior of the box and set the lid on top. The whole box measures about 40″w x 40″l x 28″h and is going to be held down by stakes instead of being attached permanently to the main coop. This will make it easier to move when we have to work in the garden in the spring.
The girls really seem to like the way it turned out! They jumped right in and even had a little “pecking order” drama to determine who is the boss-lady of the addition. I planted four kale plants around the perimeter so the girls can munch on it as it gets bigger and creeps through the chicken wire. Hopefully, this will satisfy their fresh greens cravings and give us yummy tasting eggs packed with vitamins. Yum!
Really like the chicken coop and your blog. We became a follower.