Stylish Digs for Urban Chicks
April 18, 2011 by Robin Plaskoff Horton
Ideal for urban living, the strong yet lightweight 100% recyclable aluminum Hen’s Dream Chicken Coop is for chicken keepers looking for a high style rust resistant low-maintenance coop.
Along with their love of gardening, Trix and Jade Toma of ModoVerde were inspired to design the Hen’s Dream after raising two chickens, Pepper and Ginger. As they explain, they were inspired by “the idea of having chickens be part of the growing of things and completing the natural cycle.”
Slots near the coop’s roof line vent accumulate hot air, enabling air circulation throughout. As side walls become warm with the winter sun, they heat the coop, and the stored heat maintains the Coop’s inside temperature keeping chicks toasty. The designers claim, although I’m not sure about this, that the summer sun will fall mainly on the roof top, shading the Coop to keep it cool. But roof insulation can be further enhanced by inserting 1″ coconut fiber or insulation foam between the rafters on the inside of the roof’s metal plate, greatly reducing the amount of interior heat.
The coop’s metal construction is moisture resistant, helpful in warding off fungi or bacteria growth. It’s easy to clean: just hose it down, and with the open bottom, all water drains off leaving no residuals behind.
The Hen’s Dream Coop accommodates four full size chickens. There is a built-in nesting shelf on one end of the coop accessed by a back flip gate door. A wooden roosting rod runs across, and tow sliding windows on the sides enable easy access to the egg laying area.
Category: Finding, Green & Sustainable, Reclaimed & Recycled, Urban Agriculture
Tags: urban chicken raising, urban chickens
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LOVE this!!
May all your gardens grow,
Jan
— April 18, 2011 @ 20:45
How innovative is that is that Hen House, I’ll tell you those “City Chicks” have it made : ) Enjoyed Annie
— April 19, 2011 @ 07:41
what is the cost?
— April 19, 2011 @ 07:48
Gardenglamour, it’s not yet available, but I will find out the cost–check back here!
— April 19, 2011 @ 09:27
Without a doubt, the most stylish chicken roaster I have seen in ages.
— April 19, 2011 @ 14:26
Reminds me of an old gypsy caravan – which gives me an idea
— April 19, 2011 @ 20:23
Seems a bit sterile to me. We just ordered a wooden Amish Shed for our 15 girls who turned 15 days today. I just love the boom in backyard chicken tendering. My 3 year old grand daughter was holding 3 of the babies today and they fell asleep in her lap. Made her sleepy too! That’s an added bonus!
— April 19, 2011 @ 20:41
Oh Steve, I hope you meant rooster, not roaster!
— April 20, 2011 @ 16:09
“Cool digs for urban chickens [SLIDESHOW]
So you’ve consulted your city’s municipal code regarding backyard poultry — or just decided, “”Cluck the neighbors, I’m getting chickens!”” Next you’ll need a home for your birds that offers room to roam, warmth in winter and ventilation in summer, and protection from urban thugs like dogs and raccoons. (For details on space requirements and ideal bedding options, see last week’s interview with chicken-raising expert Gail Damerow.) Ideally your feathered friends’ abode will also be easy to clean and gather eggs — and easy on the eyes.
We expect Grist’s wannabe chicken keepers won’t be shelling out for the stylish-yet-pricy ($1,280!) and all-plastic (boo!) Omlet Cube, but instead will be taking a hammer to recycled materials found on Craigslist or hacked from Ikea parts. The Internet abounds with DIY coop plans and galleries on sites like Backyard Chickens and My Pet Chicken to inspire you, and many cities now offer annual tours of cool cribs: though Austin’s, Atlanta’s, Salt Lake City’s, and Alameda, Calif.’s are past, Seattle Tilth is sponsoring one this weekend, on July 11, and Portland’s Tour de Coops is July 24.”
— October 10, 2011 @ 06:29
So youâ??ve consulted your cityâ??s municipal code regarding backyard poultry â?? or just decided, â??Cluck the neighbors, Iâ??m getting chickens!â?? Next youâ??ll need a home for your birds that offers room to roam, warmth in winter and ventilation in summer, and protection from urban thugs like dogs and raccoons. (For details on space requirements and ideal bedding options, see last weekâ??s interview with chicken-raising expert Gail Damerow.) Ideally your feathered friendsâ?? abode will also be easy to clean and gather eggs â?? and easy on the eyes.
— March 2, 2012 @ 01:00