Getting ready for our feathered friends

Once the barn was cleared, our priority was to get the barn ready for our new hens, first the floor needed to be concreted then there was a new coup to build, large enough for at least 20 new comers.

Then there was the cladding on the outside of the barn that would be part of their enclosed/safe area outside, if for any reason we needed to pen them up.

 

 Built for cleanliness with easy to wash down shelves and the minimum of nooks and crannies for mites to hide in, the coup is very plush and very fit for purpose.

Plastered and white washed on the outside, with netted windows, door and outside compound.

Inside, has stone dust, great for congealing chicken pooh on the floor, perch with trays covered in sawdust underneath, to catch the pooh and of course the nest boxes. These are made from old plastic ice cream signs - thanks Matt, on wooden frame.

Then finally the out door compound, just in case we need to pen the girls up for any reason. My word was a residence - I can see us moving out of Fishermans Cottage and moving in!!