Some of the smaller hens in the coop still don't like to go into the chicken yard yet. With temperatures rising, they needed a little more airflow in the coop. Instead of cutting another window in the wall, I built them this COOL new screen door so that they can have a HUGE "window" that they can see out of during the day.
I designed the screen door so that the doors can still be fully opened so that I can easily clean.
The right side of the building is blocked off from the chickens so I can store feed, etc. But we didn't divide the building equal to the middle of the doors, so I had to make a little hinged section in the screen door to compensate for the extra width needed to close up the gap.
Because there isn't a center post for the doors to close to, I used large bolts at the top and bottom of the big doors, and the screen door, to hold them in place. This will keep predators OUT, and chickens IN!
The girls LOVE their new door, the view, and the breeze.
And so does Wiley!
Anna, you are putting the rest of us to shame!
Posted by: Shala | June 05, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Oh that's awesome! Wonderful idea!
Posted by: Danielle | June 05, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Everyone is looking so happy. Beautiful chicken coop.
Posted by: Jill | June 04, 2009 at 05:58 AM
You are AMAZING! I love building things too...I might have been a contractor, had I been a male! :D Your aeration of the coop is fantastic! And the best part is, that your Dad is so proud of you! What a great feeling that must be!!! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | June 03, 2009 at 08:19 PM
oh my word, how cute are they all looking out the screen door. not spoiled at all.
Posted by: MicheleP | June 03, 2009 at 07:11 PM
I want a little chicken coop so bad I can hardly stand it. We live inside city limits in a suburbia. I just found out the city allows three hens... My home association won't allow them. I think I'm going to petition them.. I've talked to several neighbors that would love to have them also!
Posted by: Michelle | June 03, 2009 at 04:22 PM
YOU ROCK!
Posted by: Beth M | June 03, 2009 at 01:26 PM
I'm speechless of all you do! You never cease to amaze me!
I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next!
Posted by: Tricia | June 03, 2009 at 08:05 AM
You are a truly AMAZING woman! Alan is VERY lucky to have you. You'd make the perfect farmer's WIFE since you are equally at home cooking and sewing and cleaning the coop you remodeled. And the icing on the cake is your artistic talent and all those romantic cards I'm sure you make using your Whipper Snapper designs (that bear is darling). Happy Hatching!
Posted by: nise | June 03, 2009 at 05:50 AM
Can I be a chicken in your coop? They have all the greatest stuff.
Posted by: [email protected] | June 02, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Is there anything you can't do? Sheesh! Fabulous!
Posted by: Leslie Miller | June 02, 2009 at 07:28 PM
I love reading what your dad has to say and I love that he reads your blog!
Posted by: Valerie | June 02, 2009 at 06:40 PM
My gosh girlie, is there anything you DON'T do?? I can't decide if I want to be you when I grow up or come back as a cute little critter and live on the greatest farm on the planet!! Great picture of Wiley, and I cracked up when I read your dad's comment! :)
Posted by: Dotty | June 02, 2009 at 06:14 PM
I am so proud! to think that a gal with all your attributes and master of multitasking and now a framing carpenter too! My cup runneth over, and over. Love Dad, Dad PS Wiley looks very macho behind bars.
Posted by: DK Wight | June 02, 2009 at 05:22 PM
A carpenter too!! WOW!!
Posted by: Ruthy | June 02, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Lemme get this straight, you're an illustrator, a photographer extraordinaire, a farmer, a seamstress, an architect, an engineer, AND a carpenter? I get it - you never sleep, right? I love the new screen door!
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | June 02, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Nifty idea - I'm so loving hearing about the coop.
Posted by: Erika M | June 02, 2009 at 04:52 PM
My goodness aren't you a hand girl!
Posted by: Carol Dee | June 02, 2009 at 03:09 PM