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Hen Fruit Orchard

Farmer Dave’s Ramblings

I decided to build a home for a few chickens, so I took a tour of ‘the shed’ (every farm has one) to see what materials might be available – it was, really, more like ‘please get this junk out of my shed.’

Here’s what my initial search uncovered:

  • an old single sash from a long-gone double hung window;
  • a scrap piece of plexiglass (not of a useful size or shape);
  • an open bundle of 3-tab shingles that no longer matched any of our buildings;
  • Oh look! A stack of too-short-to-be-useful pieces of prime beadboard from a recent bathroom renovation project;
  • a quantity of odds and ends of red pine dimension stock from lumber that we milled many years ago;
  • some various length pieces of aluminum drip edge.

Altogether, a pretty good find. I should be able to make something from these treasures.

On to my shop to continue the search for more useful items. My ‘catch-all’ drawers yielded the following:

  • thumb latch knobs to secure the nestbox access door;
  • an antique replacement knob from a teakettle cover to serve as handle for the hen access door;
  • and a brass (Stanley) thumb bolt for the main access door.

A box of assorted used hinges contributed a pair (well, two hinges, not quite a matching pair) of screen door hinges for the main door of the coop. I also uncovered a pair of off-set chrome cabinet hinges which worked out well for the plexiglass panel that covers the nest boxes and allows for egg collection from outside the coop.

A branch from a tree blow-down makes a fine roost.

The exterior is covered with extra paint from a recent paint job on our house. We now have matching domiciles, my chickens and I.

The only cash investment was for four plastic, round louvers for the gable ends of the coop. Total cost: $7.95

On to the construction phase! My plan, once completed, would produce 15 square feet of floor space, enough to comfortably house 3 or 4 hens.

Is this a chicken tractor? Technically no, but it is permanently mounted on a recycled wooden pallet, thus the coop can easily be moved with a tractor and forks.

The construction took most of last summer with a few minutes work at a time as my schedule allowed. Some time was spent searching out and gathering materials, and the rest was the time spent putting the structure together. It was a fun project – I hope the chickens enjoy the results.

A moveable fence will be added for the chicken’s outdoor enjoyment. This will incorporate some of my vegetable gardens and the ladies will help with pest control.

Be sure to take a look at the coop when you are walking along the sleigh road.

I’ll see you along the way.

Farmer Dave

28 Comments

  1. MARYANN Rowsell on May 7, 2025 at 2:25 pm

    My mother used to always say “waste not want not”, and you’ve proven that to be true! Thank you for recycling stuff!

    • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 2:39 pm

      Your mother was a smart person! Thanks for your comment.

  2. Elizabeth on May 7, 2025 at 2:33 pm

    Great blog. We will make sure we take a walk to see the new chicken coupe.

    • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 2:39 pm

      We look forward to seeing you this summer.

  3. Pat DeMaio on May 7, 2025 at 2:38 pm

    Great to farmer Dave back in action just what he needs.

    • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 2:51 pm

      See you this summer!

  4. William McDermott on May 7, 2025 at 2:42 pm

    Hi Dave,
    So good to see you out and about around the farm! We were there with our family in late February and asked Sherri and others how you were doing. You were a bit under the weather so, while we ventured past your house a couple of times (hoping to say hello), we didn’t connect.
    The new chicken house you constructed looks beautiful.
    With the warm weather approaching, I’m sure your kids will find a few more projects for you to work on!
    Stay well and we hope to say hello next winter.
    Bill and Doris McDermott

    • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks for your note. I will pass it on to Farmer Dave. See you next winter!

  5. Ellie Schoenbaum on May 7, 2025 at 2:48 pm

    Beautiful home for the hens.

    • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks so much! See you this summer.

    • Brenda Reiss on May 7, 2025 at 3:51 pm

      The house as adorable. Hope the hens appreciate all your hard work

      • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 4:07 pm

        I’m sure they will!

  6. Pamela Green on May 7, 2025 at 3:02 pm

    Well written and funny. Oh, to possess the talent required to assemble such a useful, and nice looking structure from leftover materials…. Kudos on (another) job well done.

    • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks so much!

  7. Carol Davis on May 7, 2025 at 3:46 pm

    That is some chicken coop. I think they will enjoy it there. Loved the use of the fallen tree inside. Good job Farmer Dave!!

    • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 4:07 pm

      Thanks so much!

  8. Eileen Saeger on May 7, 2025 at 4:02 pm

    Love this. Great update. I am sitting at my desk …… now transported to EHF! What’s for dinner???

    • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 4:07 pm

      Well, we have a group of middle school students here on a filed trip and they are going to dig into tacos tonight!

  9. Jackie Dolan on May 7, 2025 at 6:06 pm

    If you ever run out of guest rooms, it looks good enough to handle the overflow.

    • Jennifer on May 7, 2025 at 6:25 pm

      Haha! Good idea.

  10. Karen McCarthy on May 7, 2025 at 7:36 pm

    Hey Dave, I think Paul would approve ❤️ Be well and take care of those chickens. My favorite farm animal 👍🏼😊

    • Jennifer on May 9, 2025 at 11:34 am

      Hi Karen- Thanks for your note, I will pass it along to Farmer Dave.

  11. Peggy Crouch on May 7, 2025 at 7:37 pm

    I love it! Can’t wait to enjoy your handiwork this summer.

    • Jennifer on May 9, 2025 at 11:35 am

      See you this summer!

  12. Jackie Cox on May 11, 2025 at 1:09 pm

    Miss my Adult Farm Week already. I have heard from two of my “new” farm friends. I am hoping to go back, and everyone is saying I had to much Fun! I forgot to send cards to my brother for his birthday and a card for my son and his wife for their anniversary . I just plain forgot the other
    “world”.
    Thank you again so very much.

    Jackie C

    • Jennifer on May 11, 2025 at 1:41 pm

      I am so glad you enjoyed Grown Up Farm Camp! East Hill Farm is a great place to escape reality and enjoy some down time. We look forward to your next visit.

  13. Stacey Ferraro on May 16, 2025 at 6:03 am

    I love that you were able to go shopping in your shed and shop! I look forward to seeing the new chicken coop the next time I am at the farm, my home away from home.

    • Jennifer on May 16, 2025 at 9:44 am

      We are looking forward to your next visit. See you soon!

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