This summer’s build wasn’t for the humans or the greenery that inhabit our farm, but instead our crew of misfit animals who needed to find a new home that wasn’t my garage. What began as “just a little pen” turned into a full summer project — one that taught me more about carpentry, patience, and the humor of working with old farm buildings than I ever expected.

Accommodating for the Animals on our farm

Every spring it happens. New life tumbles into the farmyard, and sometimes right into our care- which up until this summer also meant, our small garage. This year it was geese, ducks, a proud peacock, a handful of guineas, an orphaned lamb, and — as always — a few strays that somebody “just knew” would do well here. The trouble is, love doesn’t build walls. And when animals keep showing up, you’d better figure out how to give them a proper space- because even though I love a good spring baby animal as much as the next person, everyone poops.

And for the most, of the summer, that meant INSIDE my garage.

So, we build.

Putting the vision into action

For this housing development, I chose to build off one of our pre-existing sheds which placed this coop even closer to the large oak tree in our backyard where the birds already love to roam. Although I can’t 100% contain our two-legged friends, this build was a huge step in giving them their own space (and hoping they’ll enjoy it enough to stay inside).

I’m excited to share with you our project that, yes, took all summer, but what a delightful summer it was! Every board taught me something new. Every nail driven was one step closer to a space that will outlast not just the season, but (I hope) many seasons of animals yet to come.

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The Pillars of our Project

The Foundation

First lesson — if you want a post to stand straight, you’d better take your time with the level. Shims, braces, and a stubborn streak got me there. Shoring up next to an older building – lining the new with the old – meant compromise, creativity, and a little forgiveness.

I also used this project to satisfy my desire to use Cedar shingles & shakes, I’ve always loved their smell and texture and how the coop has outward walls that feel timeless

Rounded Hobbit Door

Why settle for plain when whimsy will do? A little extra sawing, trimming, and fussing, and suddenly our animals had a door fit for a storybook.

Roof with Asphalt Shingles

Whether it’s Pete climbing on the roof to inspect our yard, or the chickens below who are thankful to wait out the rain under a secure structure, our shingled roof was a needed step.

A proper finish with Linseed oil from Earth and Flax

Earth & Flax, and care — we’re learning how to keep cedar beautiful and strong against wind, rain, and time.

The Animals who benefit from this space

Between cedar shakes for a homey touch, nesting boxes, a round roosting window made just for Pete, flexible space for our birds to roam in and out, and a brooding area for new chicks our birds have a safe place to roost, roam, and grow because here on the farm, every project – no matter how small – is another way of making room for life. I’d like to expect a 5-Star review from all of our guests 🙂

• French Toulouse Geese
• Guineas
• Ducks
• Chickens + Roosters
• Peacocks: If you’ve kept up with my social media you may be familar with Pete the Peacock. His favorite part of this development is scanning the action of the farm while perched on the roof
• Our orphaned lamb: She only stayed for an extended vacation but was a fun addition to our home this summer.

The Features I’m loving!

The Chick-Cozy Automatic Solar-Powered Chicken Door that opens in the morning and closes at night. This keeps whoever wants to feel more protected, protected and I don’t have to think about it. 100% recommend! It was super easy to set up and install too!

The Round Window and Doors. Were these a challenge to this first timer? Yep! But now that I’ve documented it all here, you don’t have to fret! And yes, I will likely reference this blog post again, too. And you thought this Hearty Sol Blog space was just for you ;). This was a challenge I had wanted to add to my repertoire of construction projects for a while now.

Pete’s new spot, including his very own Fancy Feeding Perch, since the other birds won’t let him near their pan.

The Duck and Geese Nesting Boxes. I cut the front few pieces off so they can get in easier. The chickens use these more right now, and I haven’t seen any of the ducks/geese using these yet, but come wintertime, hopefully they boot the chickens out.

The Solar Powered Light. That lights the path for our early morning chore kids. This one came from a different project, but here’s a link to a similar one.

The Rustic Willow Fence. I’d been dreaming of building this fence for so long now, but couldn’t do it until this project was complete. I considered a living willow fence, but things have a hard time growing under our massive tree.

Babies First Roof! The part I was most nervous about. I found myself a patient and knowledgeable mentor who was willing to pass down his expertise to me. This was about wanting to ‘learn how to fish’ instead of just being fed the fish, ya know? It was way less difficult than I was making it out to be. I guess the unknown challenge was more worry-some than the actual task.

Final Thoughts

Some folks measure their summers by trips taken or miles logged. I’ll remember this one by the smell of sawdust and cedar, the sound of the nail gun echoing in the field, and the laughter when our kids peeked through the round window like it was their own Hobbiton or layed up on the roof to watch the stars fall during my nighttime work sessions.

Curious about this Build?

Learn How to Create a Basic Roof

Weaving a Wild Willow Fence

Building the Magical Hobbit Door

How we Preserved it all

Pin for Later!

Keep up with our other projects!

• Making a Barn Door Inspired Baby Gate
• How to Pickle your Shiplap
• How to Create a Classic Silhouette from a regular photo