I visited the Ozark Botanical Garden for the first time this spring. They have only been open for about a year but I was impressed at the variety of different gardens to amble through. Being the mommy to five spoiled hens I'm always interested in seeing other chicken "homes." Near the vegetable garden I spotted the cutest little building. At the time it was still waiting on tenants. The fluffy, white chicks were still hanging out in a wading pool in the main building cozied up under their heat lamp.
I really like the fact that the front doors are large enough for a person to walk into the hen house. Notice that it isn't chicken wire but hardware cloth on the doors. Much more difficult for a predator (read Raccoon) to get it's hands through. If you're wondering, no the chickens wouldn't run away to the other side. They would likely press themselves up against the door in a panic! Not known for their intellligence. Ever wonder where the saying "bird brain" came from? Nesting boxes are just inside for all of those great, fresh eggs.
Up by the roof are some openings for air flow. Of course they have to also be covered.
Then comes the chicken run. They can hop out everyday and scratch for bugs and eat the green stuff, a chicken's passion and purpose in life! This is a beautiful run area. I had to chuckle to myself when I thought about how the henny pennies would have all of that greenery mowed down in no time. It will be as barren as the Sahara. Oh well, it looks good now.
On the side of the building you can see the small door where the birds will come out every morning. Closing it up in the evening will give even further protection to the hens.
My girls currently reside in a penthouse apartment (A-frame) that Mr. Cottage Glamour built, with a run underneath. We were supposed to be able to move it around the backyard on a regular basis. However, like everything Mr. CG builds it's "heavy duty" and mostly just heavy. We're now figuring out how to add some wheels! Someday, we'll build this dreamy little hen's glam cottage. What do you think?
