Tour of our new Chicken Coop
Updated: 2 hours ago
Some projects turn out even better than the picture you had in your head, and this chicken coop is absolutely one of them.
We recently finished building our coop, and I keep finding excuses to walk out there and look at it. It’s charming, practical, a little bit fancy, and full of reclaimed pieces that make it feel like it has always belonged here. My favorite part is how well it matches my reclaimed window greenhouse. They feel like a pair now, as if the garden needed one pretty glass house for plants and one equally pretty house for chickens.
This build was a labor of love from start to finish. We didn’t just want a basic shelter. We wanted a coop that looked beautiful, worked well, stayed sturdy, and gave the chickens a safe, comfortable place to live. From the king post trusses to the concrete foundation, every detail got thought through.
And yes, these are some very lucky birds.
The coop was designed to match the reclaimed window greenhouse
The whole look of the coop started with the greenhouse.
My greenhouse is made with reclaimed windows, and it has such a sweet, old-soul feel. I knew I wanted the chicken coop to live near it without looking like a random utility building dropped in the yard. The goal was to make the two structures feel connected, but not identical.
The answer was reclaimed window frames.
We used them along the sides of the yard, and they instantly gave the whole thing that garden cottage look I love. There’s something so special about using old materials in a new build. Reclaimed pieces have little marks, layers of paint, uneven spots, and quirks that brand-new materials just don’t have. They bring character before you even add anything else.
Behind those window frames, we used black chicken wire. That was one of the best choices we made visually. Since the wire is black, it almost disappears when you’re looking through the frames. Instead of seeing a shiny grid everywhere, your eye sees the shape of the windows and the chickens moving around behind them.
It gives the run an open, airy feel without giving up protection.
I love practical details that also look good, and this one does both. The chickens get plenty of light and airflow, and the coop still has that clean, pretty look from the outside. It’s secure, but it doesn’t feel boxed in.
The side window frames also tie the coop to the greenhouse in the sweetest way. When I look across the yard, the two buildings feel like they’re having a little conversation with each other.
One holds the plants. One holds the hens.
The outside details make it feel like a tiny farmhouse
Once the reclaimed windows were in place, the rest of the exterior started to come together.
The roof is a copper-colored metal, and it adds so much warmth. I love the way it looks against the wood and the black wire. It catches the light beautifully, especially in the morning and late afternoon. It also gives the coop that little farmhouse feel without being too polished.
And of course, we had to add a chicken weather vane.
A chicken coop with a chicken weather vane just feels right, doesn’t it? It’s one of those details that makes the whole build feel finished. It’s playful, classic, and a little bit old-fashioned in the best way.
The front door is another favorite piece. We used a reclaimed solid wood door, and it gives the coop so much personality. A real wood door makes the entrance feel substantial, like you’re walking into a tiny barn instead of just opening a panel. It has weight and history to it.
I’m always drawn to pieces that have lived another life before coming here. This door could have gone to a landfill or sat forgotten somewhere, but now it’s the front of a chicken coop. That makes me so happy.
We also used a solid wood door that had been cut in half to create access into the upper coop. That little half-door is both useful and adorable. It makes it easy to reach the upper area when we need to clean, check on things, or make adjustments, but it still fits the reclaimed look of the whole build.
The exterior has a good balance of beauty and function. It’s pretty enough to enjoy from the garden, but everything has a job.
A few of my favorite outside features are:
Reclaimed window frames on the sides of the run
Black chicken wire that visually disappears behind the frames
Copper-colored metal roofing for warmth and durability
A chicken weather vane that adds charm at the roofline
A reclaimed solid wood front door with lots of character
A half-door access point for the upper coop
None of it feels too fussy. It just feels thoughtful.
The back access makes egg collecting easy
A pretty coop is wonderful, but a coop also has to work every single day.
One of the most practical parts of this build is the egg nest access from the back of the coop. The nesting boxes are inside for the hens, but we can reach them from outside. That means we don’t have to walk into the run every time we collect eggs.
If you’ve kept chickens, you know how nice that is.
There are plenty of days when you want to grab eggs quickly without changing shoes or stepping through the yard. Having outside access makes the whole routine easier. It also keeps the nesting boxes simple to check and clean.
The exterior access blends into the back of the coop, so it doesn’t ruin the look. That was important to me. I wanted it to be functional, but I didn’t want the useful parts to look like afterthoughts.
Inside, the nesting area feels cozy and protected. Chickens like a quiet, tucked-away spot for laying, and this checks that box. It’s easy for them to use, and easy for us to maintain.
That’s really the sweet spot for any coop feature.
It should make sense for the chickens and for the people caring for them. If something looks cute but makes daily chores harder, the cuteness wears off fast. This setup gives us both.
The egg access may not be the showiest part of the coop, but it’s one of the details I appreciate most during everyday use.
The inside is full of reclaimed charm and chicken comfort
The inside of the coop might be even sweeter than the outside.
One of the standout pieces is the roost made from a reclaimed headboard. I love this detail so much. It’s the kind of thing that makes a custom coop feel special. Instead of using only basic lumber, we gave an old headboard a new purpose.
Now it’s where the chickens can perch and settle in.
A headboard already has structure and shape, so it works beautifully as a decorative roost feature. It adds a little cottage charm inside the coop, which feels very fitting with the reclaimed window frames and old doors.
Of course, looks only matter if the chickens actually use it. The roost needed to be comfortable, sturdy, and placed in a way that made sense for them. Chickens naturally want to roost up off the ground, especially at night, so giving them a solid place to perch was a must.
Under the upper coop, inside the yard area, we added another roosting bar. This gives them a second place to hang out during the day. Chickens love options. Sometimes they want to scratch around, sometimes they want to dust bathe, and sometimes they just want to perch and supervise everything.
The run also has a dust bath, which is one of the most important chicken comforts in the whole setup.
Dust bathing is how chickens help keep their feathers and skin in good shape. It’s also just plain fun to watch. They wiggle down into the dust, fluff themselves up, kick material everywhere, and look completely ridiculous and completely happy.
The dust bath under the coop is protected, which helps keep it usable. It gives them a dry-ish area where they can do their chicken spa routine even when the weather isn’t perfect.
Between the upper roost, lower roosting bar, dust bath, and nesting boxes, the coop has different zones for different needs. That makes it feel less like a basic enclosure and more like a real little chicken home.
The run has smart storage, feeding, and a few fun extras
The run might be my favorite part to use day to day because everything has a place.
We added an automatic feeder, and it has made chicken chores so much simpler. Feed stays contained, the chickens can eat when they need to, and we don’t have to constantly refill a small dish. It keeps the area tidier too, which is always a win.
Inside the yard, there’s also a wooden cabinet for chicken supplies and extra feed. This was one of those additions that made me wonder why we didn’t do it sooner.
Chicken keeping comes with stuff. Feed scoops, treats, grit, bedding items, cleaning tools, first aid basics, and random little things all need somewhere to go. Without storage, those supplies end up scattered in the garage, on a shelf, in a bucket, or wherever you last set them down.
Having a cabinet right inside the run keeps everything close by. When we need to top off feed, grab supplies, or put something away, it’s all right there.
It also makes the coop feel more complete. A good setup supports the chickens, but it also supports the routine of caring for them.
We also gave them a metal kitchen scrap trough. Kitchen scraps are always exciting in the chicken world, and having a dedicated trough keeps treats from being tossed all over the ground. It gives them a clean spot to peck through scraps and makes it easier to remove anything they don’t finish.
And because I can’t leave well enough alone, there’s artwork on the walls.
Yes, the chickens have art.
Do they appreciate it the way I do? Probably not. Do I care? Also no.
That little bit of wall decor makes the coop feel cheerful. It adds personality and makes the space more fun to walk into. I’m a big believer that utilitarian spaces can still be beautiful. A chicken coop can hold feed, bedding, perches, and dust baths, and it can still make you smile.
The run includes:
An automatic feeder for easier daily care
A wooden storage cabinet for extra feed and chicken supplies
A metal kitchen scrap trough for treats and leftovers
A lower roosting bar for daytime perching
A protected dust bath for happy, healthy chicken behavior
Artwork on the walls because cute details matter
All of these pieces help the coop feel lived in, not just built.
The structure is solid from the foundation up
As charming as the reclaimed details are, the bones of the coop matter just as much.
We built this coop on a concrete foundation, which gives the whole structure a strong base. Chickens need protection from weather, predators, moisture, and shifting ground, so starting with something solid was a priority.
A concrete foundation also makes the space feel more permanent. This wasn’t a quick weekend box tossed together with leftover scraps. It was planned, built, adjusted, and cared for from the beginning.
The king post trusses are another detail I love. They add strength and beauty at the same time. A truss can be purely structural, but when it’s done well, it also becomes part of the design. In this coop, the trusses give the roofline character and make the whole build feel more crafted.
There’s a big difference between a coop that’s simply assembled and a coop that’s built with intention.
This one has intention everywhere.
The reclaimed pieces bring charm, but the structure gives it staying power. The roof, foundation, doors, access points, wire, storage, and roosts all work together. Nothing feels random. Even the fun details, like the weather vane and wall art, fit the overall feel.
It’s the mix that makes it special.
The practical parts keep the chickens safe and make chores easier. The reclaimed pieces make it visually connected to the garden and greenhouse. The finishing touches make it feel personal.
That’s the kind of project I love most. Useful, sturdy, and pretty enough that you want to keep looking at it.
Why this finished coop makes me so happy
This coop has quickly become one of my favorite builds.
Part of that is because it turned out beautiful. I love the copper roof, the reclaimed doors, the window-frame sides, and the way the black chicken wire disappears into the background. I love that it matches the greenhouse without feeling too matchy. I love that it looks like it belongs here.
But I also love how well it works.
The chickens have safe shelter, fresh air, places to roost, a dust bath, nesting boxes, an automatic feeder, and room to move around. We have easy egg access, convenient storage, and a setup that makes daily care feel simple.
That combination is what makes the whole thing feel so satisfying.
A chicken coop doesn’t have to be fancy, but when you’re building something you’ll see and use every day, it’s worth adding details that make you happy. Reclaimed materials are perfect for that. They add soul, save useful pieces from being wasted, and help a new structure feel like it has a story.
This coop definitely has a story now.
It started as an idea inspired by the greenhouse, then became a real home for our chickens. Every window frame, door, roost, truss, and little finishing touch added another layer to it.
And now that it’s finished, I couldn’t be happier with the result.
The chickens seem pretty pleased too, especially when the kitchen scraps arrive in their little metal trough. Between the cozy roosts, dust bath, automatic feeder, artwork, and extra room to wander, they’re living the good life.
Lucky birds, for sure.
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